Paul Clark and Brett Preuett thought for sure they'd squandered their shot at winning the FLW College Fishing national championship Sunday when they hauled four fish to the scale.
As it turns out, it was just enough.
After catching 17-06 on day 2 to climb into the Top 5, the team from the University of Louisiana-Monroe caught a final-day 12-04 to finish the 3-day event at Beaver Lake with 40-03 and claim the title for their school, which just recently added the fishing team to its list of recognized student organizations.
Clark and Preuett both earned berths in the Forrest Wood Cup, which is set for the Red River in Shreveport/Bossier City, La., in August. Clark will fish on the pro side while Preuett will compete as a co-angler.
UNC-Charlotte's team of Shane Lehew and Adam Waters took 2nd with 39-10 and Auburn's Jordan Lee and Shane Powell were 3rd with 34-03.
Details of Clark's and Preuett's winning pattern will be published soon.
