University of Montevallo angler Easton Fothergill is the 2023 Bassmaster College Classic Champion. It’s a title that just a month ago seemed to be painfully out of reach.

Fothergill won the tournament with a final day haul of 11 pounds, 13 ounces at Milford Lake in Kansas, according to Bassmaster.

“I can’t really put into words what it means to me yet. This is something I never thought I would be capable of,” Fothergill told Bassmaster reporter Christopher Decker after his win. “I never saw myself doing something like this. It is crazy special. The fact I wasn’t even planning on being here and then winning it, I really can’t put it into words.”

Just over a month ago, intense headaches landed Fothergill in the hospital. After initially being told by doctors at urgent care that he just had a migraine, doctors at UAB discovered an abscess in his brain.

Fothergill had to undergo emergency brain surgery and temporarily moved back home to Minnesota to recuperate. He returned to campus in late September.

Fothergill is a member of UM’s Outdoor Scholars Program. The program hosted a fish fry fundraiser Sept. 29 to help with Fothergill’s medical expenses.

“I could write a book about all the emotions I’ve experienced over this past month,” Fothergill wrote on Instagram. “I just want to thank each and everyone for the overwhelming amount of support.”