Franklin bass fishing went into this week's ACA Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship hoping to prove it belongs among the top programs in the country in its first full year of existence.

Mission accomplished.

The duo of Drew Kristoff and Carson Volz wrapped up the Grizzlies' inaugural campaign by placing 132nd of 210 entrants at the tournament, which concluded Friday on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Alabama. The duo amassed a two-day haul of 17.97 pounds to land in the middle third of the field.

Griz coach JT Volz called the tourney "a significant milestone for Franklin College, Carson and Drew as they compete at the pinnacle of collegiate bass fishing."

Kristoff and Carson Volz were toward the back end of the leaderboard after totaling 4.95 pounds on Thursday, but the tandem moved up several spots with an impressive 13.02 pounds on day two.

JT Volz thanked the team's primary sponsors — Bradley Hubler Chevrolet in Franklin for providing the team with a truck for traveling to tournaments; Honey Creek Tackle for equipping the team with a Triton boat for the event; and the Nook for outfitting the squad.

The Grizzlies will look to build upon their first-year success, with everyone from its two competitive boats set to return in the fall.