Coach Cory Dorsey and the competitive fishing team participated in the 2023 MCBC Tournament Trail on the Mississippi River in LaCrosse on July 15. The tournament featured 32 other division 1 schools.

Final Results: The Spartan team of Cooper Jipsen and Logan Eilts put up an impressive performance, securing the 2nd position in the tournament. The team from the University of Iowa clinched the first place with a total weight of 16.21 pounds.

Key Performers: Cooper Jipsen and Logan Eilts emerged as the key performers for the Spartans. They managed to catch a limit of 5 bass, weighing a total of 15.52 pounds. Moreover, their exceptional catch included the biggest fish of the entire tournament, an impressive 4.96-pound bass.

Strategic Approach: Facing a challenging situation with a blown outboard engine, Cooper Jipsen and Logan Eilts were limited in their ability to explore less pressured fishing spots. However, they utilized a unique and effective technique that most anglers wouldn't have considered for the upper Mississippi River. The duo found a specific area where the bass were keying on spawning bluegills around docks. This approach paid off handsomely during the tournament, helping them secure 2nd place with a fantastic bag of fish.

Coach's Comments: Coach Dorsey praised the team's efforts, emphasizing the difficulties of fishing on the Mississippi River due to high fishing pressure. He had been urging the team to find distinct areas or techniques to stand out from the competition. The team's confidence soared when they discovered a productive spot and started getting bites, validating Coach Dorsey's advice.

Upcoming Events: The Spartan fishing team has exciting plans for the upcoming months. On August 26th, they will host their first-ever fundraising tournament on 12 Mile Lake. The event promises great fishing, food, and exciting giveaway prizes, with 60% of the entry fees going to the top teams. Coach Dorsey is actively seeking donations for the prize giveaways and encourages individuals, including small businesses, to participate.

In September, the team will venture back to the Mississippi River, this time launching out of Dubuque, where they'll face a different and more challenging fishery. Two weeks later, they'll travel to Truman Reservoir in Missouri for another event. Their fall season will culminate in a two-day championship on Lake St. Clair in Michigan on October 14th and 15th.

The Spartans are determined to continue their success in these upcoming events and are looking forward to showcasing their skills on various fisheries.