Catholic Central News Flash: December 2017

Congratulations to Bailey Bleser who just signed to be a part of McKendree University Bass Team! Please see the press release below:

Bailey Bleser Signs with the McKendree University Bass Fishing Team

The Bearcat fishing team is very excited to have Bailey Bleser from Catholic Central High School sign with the program for the 2018-2019 fishing season. McKendree University is an NCAA Division II private school that is nestled in the heart of beautiful Lebanon, IL, just 30 minutes from St. Louis, MO. Bailey is the son of Richard and Victoria Bleser from Burlington, Wisconsin.

Bailey has already had an outstanding high school fishing career. His active tournament schedule over the past three years, along with the remainder of this year will definitely have him ready for our collegiate trail. His successes include many strong finishes in a wide variety of circuits and locations. Bailey has fished the Angler Young Angler Series, USA Bassin’ Series, FLW, and Bassmasters Circuits. He was also selected as a two time Bassmaster All State Representative. In the Angler Young Angler Series he has four top tens including a second and two first place finishes. In the USA Bassin’ Series he had numerous top five finishes. His performance in the FLW High School State Series has been exceptional. Bailey won the 2016 FLW Northern High School Open on Mille Lacs. Had a second place finish in the Wisconsin Open on the Mississippi River at La Crosse, a fourth in both the Ohio and Indiana Opens, and a ninth place finish in the Minnesota Open. Bailey also placed 3^rd in the 2015 FLW Wisconsin State Championship. He was a 2017 FLW National Qualifier at Pickwick Lake and placed thirteenth in the 2017 FLW World Open Semi Finals on Pickwick. In the Bassmaster Midwest Open at Lake of the Ozarks, Bailey finished 14^th.

“We are excited to welcome Bailey to campus next fall. Our program is so fortunate to have an angler with his experience, skill set, and passion for the sport. Due to his ability and wide range of experiences, I am confident that he will step right in and be a positive force competing for a win everywhere we go. His outstanding character, leadership skills, and hard work ethic will also be a great addition to our McKendree campus and family.”

The McKendree University Bass Fishing Team is currently in it’s fifth year since inception. Last year, the team finished 5th place in the nationwide Association of Collegiate Anglers (ACA) School of the Year competition, won the Bassmaster Midwest Conference Regional Tourney, and had 26 top ten finishes. In 2016, they placed 4^th place and had 21 top ten finishes, in 2015, they finished 8th place with 15 top ten finishes, and in 2014, they finished 20^th. The ACA includes over 350 schools across the nation, and the School of the Year competition compiles tournament results from all three college circuits, Cabela's, FLW, and Bassmaster. The McKendree anglers have appeared on ESPN-U, NBC Sports Network, the Pursuit Channel, and the World Fishing Network, had a blog on HeartlandOutdoors.com, was on the Jan 2017 cover of FLW magazine, and was recently featured in the December 2017 B.A.S.S. Times magazine.