Posted 1:54 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024
UWL Waterski Team wins national championship
As the temperatures drop on Wisconsin waters, UW-La Crosse Water Ski Team is just getting warmed up. The team took home a first-place trophy at the National Collegiate Water Ski Association Division II national championship competition in Martindale, Texas, Oct. 10-12.
The team achieved a total score of 10,010 points, 760 points ahead of their nearest competitor, Ohio State University. This triumph marks a high point for the team, which excelled in the three core disciplines of slalom, jump and trick skiing.
“Our team has put so much time and effort into this season, and winning first place just solidifies that our hard work has paid off,” says UWL sophomore Claire Rolbiecki and the 2024 women's team captain. “Our early tournaments this season didn't go as well as we had hoped, so having nationals be as successful as it was simply amazing.”
Their journey to nationals began with a strong showing at the regional tournament on September 29 in Decatur, Illinois, where they finished third among 16 competing teams.
UWL’s Water Ski Team is community of students united by their love for this water sport. As one of over 200 student organizations on campus, they compete in various tournaments across the Midwest, representing schools from Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri through the Midwest Collegiate Water Ski Association.
“Being a part of the UWL waterski team is so unique. I can vouch for everyone on the team and say there is truly nothing better,” says Rolbiecki. “You get to waterski, travel around the Midwest every weekend meeting people from other colleges, soak up some sun, and get roped into a community of likeminded, supportive people!”
The team rents a ski boat from the local Water Ski Show Team River City to practice at the Black River at Airport Beach on French Island with its five-foot jump and slalom course during the month of September and part of October. “Thankfully this fall was warmer than normal,” notes Rolbiecki, adding “skiers can wear heater tops and wetsuits to maintain body temperature in the cooling Black River.”
The UWL women's team placed first out of twelve teams overall, and the men's team placed second. Special recognition goes to the skiers Anna Thompson, Ava Pleshek, Faith Passehl, Joshua Wein, and Brett Anderson. These skiers won individual medals and were congratulated during the Nationals Awards Ceremony on Saturday night.
Women’s team honors
- Anna Thompson fourth place overall in Women's Slalom; fifth overall women’s skier
- Ava Pleshek second place overall in Women's Jump
- Faith Passehl third place overall in Women's Jump; first overall women’s skier
Men’s team honors
- Joshua Wein second place out of 54 skiers in Men's Trick
- Brett Anderson fourth place in Men's Jump with a distance of 114 feet; fifth overall men's skier.
A special thanks to seniors Anna Thompson, Thomas Berglund, and Brett Anderson for their exceptional contributions in their final tournament. Their dedication and talent exemplify the spirit of UWL’s water ski team.
About the team
As the team looks ahead to next season, they invite prospective students to join them in the fun and excitement of being part of UWL’s dynamic community.
No prior experience is necessary to join the team, but it does help when learning the techniques of each of the three events. Most skiers on the team are also part of the summer show ski teams like River City, Shawano and Shermalot.
Practice schedules are flexible as skiers can sign up for practice sets once a day Monday through Friday during a time that fits their school schedule.
How do I join?
Visit the team’s Instagram page (@uwlwaterski) and reach out with questions or email via the team’s space on the My Orgs website.