An angler from Campbellsville University in Kentucky, Nick Ratliff, is headed to the prestigious Bassmaster Classic. He won the 2018 Carharrt Bassmaster Series College Bracket tournament at Milford Lake on Thursday.

The final outcome was close, with Ratliff catching 13 pounds 8 ounces and the second place finisher Nolan Minor of West Virginia reeling in a total of 13 pounds 4 ounces. Ratliff caught the winning smallmouth bass fish weighing over 2 pounds with just 11 minutes remaining in the tournament to edge Minor. “I had no clue it was the winning fish but I knew that once I got up over 13 pounds, from everything I’ve looked at on this lake it’s a really strong day.”

Ratliff receives a berth in the prestigious Bassmaster Classic next March in Tennessee, a $7,500 cash stipend, and the use of a Toyota Tundra truck and a Nitro Bass Boat for one year.