MNU Fishing Club members Brandon Owen and Jacob Johnson,  won the National Guard FLW College Fishing event on Lake of the Ozarks on March 7, 2011, netting the team a $10,000 prize to be split between the club and the university. With this win at the first event of the season, the club advances to the Central Division Regional Championship on April 2 at Kentucky/Barkley lakes in Gilbertsville, Ky.

Just in their second year of competition, the club enjoys experienced advice from Garon Smith, SFVU Pro Staff Angler on the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail. The Olathe resident and father of two MNU graduates, Smith enjoys volunteering with the students and says their win is especially gratifying to see since the club is essentially doing all the planning and strategy themselves.

“This year’s first event was theirs for the win,” Smith says. “I'm very proud of them considering the teams they are against; K-State, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky and OSU.”

For more information on FLW College Fishing visit www.collegefishing.com. An article about the Lake of the Ozarks event is available at http://www.collegefishing.com/tournament.cfm?tid=6725&t=news&aid=152069.