Sacramento State teammates Stephen Lesieur (left) and Matthew Paul took second place overall at the National Guard FLW College Fishing event at Clear Lake March 7.
Fishing isn’t just a pastime for a couple of Sacramento State students; it’s an all-out competition and one that reeled in a scholarship for them and the University.
Sacramento State Bass Fishing Club members Stephen Lesieur and Matthew Paul received $2,500 for the club and $2,500 for the University’s general scholarship fund after finishing second in the National Guard, FLW College Fishing Western Division Tournament at Clear Lake, Calif., Saturday, March 7.
The newly-formed team meets throughout the year and competes against schools and universities along the West coast. Members must be full-time, undergraduate students.
“Besides the prospect of winning money for the club and University, you have the opportunity to meet local fishing professionals to learn tips and pointers,” Lesieur says. “It’s awesome, and you have a lot of fun.”
The club will compete again Saturday, April 18, at a divisional tournament in Arizona. Top prize for that tournament is $10,000 to be split evenly between the club and the represented school.
With the Clear Lake win, the duo earned a chance to compete in the nationally televised regional championship in Stockton in September. There, they will try for a prize package, including a boat, for the team and $25,000 for the University.
A winning performance there will give them a chance to go to the national championship in Nashville, Tenn. The top prize for the national championship is $25,000 cash and other prizes for the club and $50,000 for the school they represent.
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world.
About the writer:
Sacramento State’s Sara Perez can be reached at 278-6156.
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