THE BASS COLLEGE

Barbara Gaskins' attempt to make a third-straight Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship was a success.

The Suffolk lady basser entered this weekend's tour finale ranked 20th overall among co-anglers. The top 20 qualify for next months championship.

Gaskins had a great tournament on Tennessee's Old Hickory Lake,finishing fourth and banking $1,280. She caught a 3-day total of 9 fishthat weighed a combined 12 pounds, 12 ounces. Monica Altman of Angier,N.C., won the co-angler division with 10 fish that weighed a combined17-3.

More importantly, Gaskins climbed into 10th overall to secure a spot in the championship.

Gaskins practically owns the big show. She is the defending co-angler champion and was second in the inaugural event two years ago.