On Sunday, October 19, the Warriors bass fishing team traveled to Kinkaid Lake to compete in the Illinois State Championship, hosted by McKendree University. The event, which awards no cash prizes, offered the top spot a bid to the 2026 Bassmaster National Championship. The Warriors made a strong showing against tough fall conditions.

Leading the charge for the team were Brody and Braci Ault, who brought five keepers to the scales for a total weight of 14.59 pounds. The duo's consistency and ability to adapt to the weather earned them a top finish for the Warriors. Close behind were Cooper Lobeck and Colton Starnes, who secured three fish weighing 10.71 pounds to round out a strong team effort.

With a cold front rolling through and 25 mph winds battering the lake, anglers were forced to adjust on the fly. For Brody and Braci, the key was staying flexible and fishing what the conditions allowed.

"Fishing the moment is huge when you know it's tough," said Brody Ault. "With 25 mph winds and a cold front, Braci and I knew we had to fish the conditions. We started the day in a windy pocket throwing a frog and caught two big ones right away. From there, we just looked for the windiest pockets we could find and threw a frog and swim jig all day. It was a grind, but we stuck to our game plan, and fortunately, it worked out."

Braci echoed her brother's thoughts, emphasizing the importance of confidence after last year's challenges.

"We didn't really know what to expect going into the state tournament this year," she said. "Last year, we didn't meet our expectations, so we just threw our confidence baits — and thankfully, the bass were still biting well in the windy conditions."

Despite the challenging weather and tough bite, the Warriors showcased determination and teamwork, proving they can compete among Illinois' top collegiate anglers. With their strong finish at Kinkaid Lake, the team continues to build momentum heading into the remainder of the fall season.

 Written by: Emmarie Bires, WVC Radio/TV and Digital Media Student

Cooper Lobeck and Colton Starnes