Bemidji State University was a host for the Bassmaster College Series National Championship, held Aug. 10-12 on Lake Bemidji and connecting waters. This event, co-hosted by the Visit Bemidji tourism marketing organization and the city of Bemidji, featured the 90 best collegiate teams from across the nation. Among them were a pair of two-person teams from BSU, one of which placed ninth and the other 35th.
![A team from Bryan College in Tennessee was in first place all three days of the tournament.](https://www.bemidjistate.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/16-bassmaster-01.jpg)
![Mitch (left) and Thor Swanson of BSU prepare for weigh-in on Day 3, Aug. 12.](https://www.bemidjistate.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/16-bassmaster-02.jpg)
![President Faith Hensrud opened the tournament Aug. 10 with a ceremonial first cast.](https://www.bemidjistate.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/16-bassmaster-03.jpg)
![The two qualifying teams for Bemidji State, Mitch (left) and Thor Swanson and Luke Gilland and Robby Troje, pose with the team boat at an Aug. 7 Meet the Teams event at Bemidji State.](https://www.bemidjistate.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/16-bassmaster-04.jpg)
![A pair of competitors try their luck in the Mississippi River Aug. 11.](https://www.bemidjistate.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/16-bassmaster-05.jpg)
![The Aug. 9 pre-tournament banquet at BSU.](https://www.bemidjistate.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/16-bassmaster-06.jpg)
![A boat heads towards Lake Irving Aug. 11.](https://www.bemidjistate.edu/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/16-bassmaster-07.jpg)