Thursday, March 28

The Dream of Becoming Champion

By Darrell Puckett

The dream to achieve something that is bigger than yourself runs through the veins of every American.  It’s something that is contagious and gives a sense of self accomplishment beyond words.  Auburn University at Montgomery’s Jacob Nummy and Tyler Strock know a few things about fulfilling dreams.

Nummy started the AUM Anglers club four years ago in hope of achieving the top college ranks.  He then passed the honors of being club president to Strock a year ago, but not without attaining the top rank.

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Nummy and Frink celebrate their College Bass Master National Championship win on stage.
Photo provided by Shaye Baker of Baker Fishing LLC.

The team of Nummy and Thomas Frink won the Carhart College National Championship on Georgia’s Lake Chatuge this past month.  They mounted a three-day total of 43 pounds 3 ounces, posting the win by 6 pounds 11 ounces over Young Harris College.

Nummy not only saw his creation rise to the brink of perfection, but he will forever be remembered in the eyes of other college anglers pursuing perfection.  “I never gave up or lost confidence in my ability to fish and honor God at the same time.  I just gave my all in starting the club, and knew that God would take care of the rest,” Nummy said.

Frink and Nummy catching the winning fish on day three.   Photo provided by Shaye Baker of Baker Fishing LLC.
Frink and Nummy catching the winning fish on day three.
Photo provided by Shaye Baker of Baker Fishing LLC.

 

 

Strock knows that taking over responsibility of maintaining the AUM Anglers and keeping the trophy at home is a tall order, but he gladly accepts the challenge. “Keeping the trophy at home is going to be a goal, but bringing more recognition to the team and school is priority,” Strock said.

The first order of business for Strock is to win the FLW National Championship in the spring with his partner, Dalton Darnell.  The team finished second in the FLW Southeast Regional Championship on Lake Wheeler, Rogersville, AL in May. The second place finish qualified the duo for a birth into the national championship later in the spring. With a championship win in the FLW, it would give AUM both major college bass fishing crowns, which no other school in the country has accomplished before.

Strock (left) and Darnell (right) are favorites going into the FLW National Championship. Photo provided by Shaye Baker of Baker Fishing LLC.
Strock (left) and Darnell (right) are favorites going into the FLW National Championship.
Photo provided by Shaye Baker of Baker Fishing LLC.

The main focus for this 2013 fall semester is to solidify a future for the club by expanding members.  “Keeping in mind that Jacob [Nummy] and Tom [Frink] helped generate the popularity of our fishing team, my job is to expand the future success for this club,” Strock said.

The bass fishing world stands witness to an upcoming powerhouse that is known as the AUM Anglers.  Don’t miss out on your opportunity to become a part of the action, for more details on joining or sponsoring the team you can send your questions to tstrock@aum.edu.

Contact the writer: dpucket1@aum.edu

2 Comments

  • Ron Nummy

    Glad to know all the hard work,and prayers have come to fruition. I would also like to say as a dad that got to watch the AUM Anglers struggle through the early years that the prize was worth the effort. It was a pleasure to watch a team learn and grow and also thanks to AUM for the support.

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