POTSDAM – Clarkson University was awash with college anglers, large bass, boats and spectators Friday at the conclusion of the three-day Carhartt Bassmaster College Series that took place in Waddington on the St. Lawrence River.

Bryton Kurtz and Jackson Carrell, a team from Sam Houston State University, Texas, beat out 148 other teams from as far away as Colorado with their total catch of 72 pounds, 13 ounces.

“We’ve never caught small mouth in our lives and this is an amazing experience to come up here and fish in this fishery,” said Carrell. He and his parents want to take a vacation here next year, he said.

The Clarkson team of Ben Seaman and Dante Piraino took seventh place with 65 pounds 13 ounces. “I’ve taken plenty of steps on this lawn out here in two or three feet of snow, so it’s nice to have a nice day like today and have a great win,” said Seaman, president and founder of Clarkson’s Bass Fishing Club. “I knew we could put on something great. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out,” he said.

“This is unbelievable. It’s been one of the craziest weeks of fishing in my whole life,” said Piraino.

Clarkson president Tony Collins was also pleased with hosting the university’s first fishing tournament. “We are ready, willing, and able to host more tournaments.”

Many members of the 12 remaining teams on the last tournament day were impressed with the fishing in the St. Lawrence.

The Clarkson team and the other top fifteen fishing teams in the competition qualify for the national championship in Dayton, Tennessee in August.

The Bassmasters Elite Series will be coming to Waddington August 15-18, the Fishing League Worldwide will be in Massena Sept. 19-21, and the Big Bass Blowout will be in Massena October 5-6.