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The inaugural event was held on Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee, and drew a field of 100 teams. Article by: Joe Balog

“Trophies are great,” he mentioned, “but who have you helped?”

Jacob Wheeler has competed in 16 tour-level events over the past two calendar years.

Academy pro Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, Tennessee, held off a late charge from Berkley pro "Big Fish" Bobby Lane of Lakeland, Florida.

It was a back-and-forth battle at the top for most of the day Saturday, between pros Jacob Wheeler of Harrison, and Zack Birge of Blanchard, Ok.

Wheeler caught his last fish of the day at 2:19 p.m., a 2-pound, 2-ounce bass that gave him a total of 13 bass weighing 28 pounds, 13 ounces, and a 9-pound, 4-ounce lead with just under an hour left in competition.