Introductions are in order

Hi, my name is Matt Pangrac and I will be a senior at OU, graduating with a degree in Communications. I am originally from Decatur, Ill., and came to the University of Oklahoma to play ice hockey for the Sooners.

During the past two years, I have fished Grand Lake a handful of times. I am looking forward to seeing how the Elite Series pros attack the water after the enormous amount of rain we have been experiencing here in Oklahoma.

My passion for fishing started when I was just 2-years-old. I would hang a rope over the edge of the basement staircase at my house and my dad would tie things like shoes, logs, or wooden fish on the end of the rope and let me haul up my catch.

I started fishing bass tournaments when I was 13, after attending the 1998 Bassmaster Classic in North Carolina, where I won the Bassmaster CastingKids National Championship for flipping, pitching, and casting accuracy. At the time, being able to meet my fishing heroes, like Denny Brauer and Rick Clunn, really had a lasting impact.

I am both excited and proud to be a part of the Sooner Bass Anglers. The ability to compete against other collegiate anglers who share the same passion for tournament bass fishing has really enhanced my college experience. Outside of the competition, collegiate bass fishing has led to great friendships which I'm sure will last a lifetime.

I am currently interning at Basszone.com, which is based out of Norman, Okla., just a few miles from the OU campus. With Basszone's on-location coverage of the Elite Series, I will have the opportunity to attend six stops on the Elite Series this year. Sooner Run has been circled on my calendar for a long time and I look forward to giving you a unique perspective of the event from a college bass angler.

— Matt Pangrac