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Carson-Newman University fishing for a national title

Carson-Newman University's fishing team is heading to its first Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship.

Just two years after the team first formed, members of Carson-Newman University's Eagle Anglers fishing team are heading to the national championship.

Hunter Sales and Tristan Stalsworth qualified for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship after placing in the top 15 at regionals.

"It's the best of the best," said Sales, the club's president. "You have some kids fishing who also fish professionally other parts of the year. There's some really stout competition. But, then again, there has been all year and we've proven that we can hang with them."

Stalsworth says the two leave July 14 for Oklahoma, where the tournament is located.

"They said 'Lake Tinkiller,' which is where the national championship is, is set up a lot like Cherokee Lake," Stalsworth said. "We thought that would be good for us with Cherokee being our home lake, so we’ve tried a lot of different stuff and tried out different baits we don’t normally fish."

Sales says their success this season has helped recruit new members for the team.

"We have nine anglers coming in from high school on scholarships," Sales said.

They hope that a good score in the national tournament might help them lure in sponsorships as well.

"If we can go win the national championship, that'd be huge for getting sponsors," Sales said. "It's going to be tough, but we're excited about it.

The students will compete July 19-21.

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