By Kelly Velez
A set of students who are part of the Daytona State College Bass Fishing Club placed second out of 80 teams in the Carhartt College Series Southern Regional bass fishing tournament in January.
The tournament took place in the Harris Chain of Lakes near Tavares, where Scott Heaberlin and Thomas Oltorik racked up a total 44.10 pounds and 10 fish all together, using dark gray Bill Lewis Rattle Trap baits and 15 lb. test fluorocarbon line. They scored a total of 987.179 out of 1000.
“It felt good to finish so well and beat out some of the larger universities that were represented,” Oltorik said in a press release after the event. “We’re looking forward to the next level of competition.”
Both anglers have been fishing partners since childhood in Deland. They both have held “Angler of the Year” honors from the Teen Sportfishing Association and Junior BASS in Central Florida. They also teamed up in the St. Johns River Bass Tournament back in 2011 and were crowned the Grand Champions of the event.
The students say their chemistry as fishing partners helps them when competing today. Their second place finish earned them a $1,000 reward, as well as an opportunity to compete in the national tournament this summer. Meanwhile, they also competed in the March 2 FLW College Qualifier- Southeastern Conference in Guntersville, Ala., where they placed fifth overall and won $500. The team scored 923.077 out of 1000.
All winning prize money is placed in the Bass Fishing Club account and is used for future fishing and tournament expenses. Oltorik is an associate of science in business administration major at the college and president of the club, while Heaberlin is pursuing his associate of arts degree and serves as vice president.
Bass Fishing Club Adviser is Matthew Davids from the Deltona campus. The primary purpose of the club is to encourage camaraderie, sportsmanship, integrity, conservation and development of the skills and knowledge needed to be successful anglers by competing with other schools in local, regional and state tournaments, as well as elsewhere in the nation.
For video and photos of the tournament, go to www.bassmaster.com/tournaments.