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2010 SkiAmmy Nominations
Female Rookie of the Year
Madeline Connick, University of Michigan
Maddy came in as a freshman this year knowing nothing about competitive skiing or the course. She gave it her all and even attempted tricking a few times. She went from hardly cutting across the wakes to practically running the course by the end of the season! She practiced every chance she got, well into the end of October when many of the seasoned members simply refuse to go because it was "too cold". Her dedication should not go unnoticed.
Justine Vaughan, Missouri State University
Justine was a huge asset to Missouri State’s women’s team and it was only her first year. She consistently tricked about 800 points, jumped in the 40s, and ran into max speed in almost every tournament. She was on the podium in at least one event in every tournament. She has stepped up to recruitment chair on the team and I know she’ll do great things in the future.
Justine was the perfect addition to our team this past season. She skied well at every tournament in every event and was always cheering her fellow teammates on!
This was her freshman year and she placed in tournaments, scored countless points for the team, and is all around a good team player.
Caley Bucklund, UW Whitewater
She's really good at jumping.
Centennial club in the first tourney, freshman year. Boom.
Carley brought some magnificent scores to the water this season by entering the Century Club at her first tournament...winning the women's jump event! She also is a strong overall skier and brought some valuable points to Whitewater's team, along with a few new members!
Katie Mitchell, Ohio State University
Katie came from a show ski background, and had never competed in a three event tournament before coming to OSU. She stunned our team by taking the gold medal in jump at GLCC. With a PB 59 feet (20 feet better than any of her other jumps). Also her tricking was fantastic! She finished 5th at conference and then beat her previous PB of 660 and tricked 820 at nationals earning a 4th place medal. Katie hates slalom, she's a show skier, slalom courses weren't her thing. She actually said she didn't even want to compete in that event. But we forced her to and she worked on it over the summer. Katie ran her first pass ever at the We Suck clinic, then ran full passes at conference and nationals too! She will definitely be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.
Keelie “Kiwi” Eads, Miami University
Keelie transferred to Miami last semester. She joined the water ski team without much experience and immediately became great friends with everyone. She was willing to do anything for the team which included our need to throw some girls off the jump. No matter how many awful spills she took, she was always flying off the jump right after. She had a great attitude...and most importantly...performed great the morning after some rowdy MCWSA nights.
Erin Slater, University of Cincinnati
Erin Slater learned how to trick over the summer and was a huge asset to the team. She was always consistent. She also learned how to jump on her third try and went over 40 feet in her first tournament!
Jenna Gilbert, Purdue
She placed in the top ten at Nationals in slalom, she is consistently getting into 32 off. She is a great skier and I expect that she will only get better and better. The only people who beat her in regular season where not freshman just a fun fact.
Male Rookie of the Year
Shane Burke, Iowa State
Shane has been a huge asset to our team from the start. He is a very natural skier and has been picking up 3- eventing very fast. He's become a main part of our men's trick team and is making huge improvements in slalom and jump to fill in spots for our men's A team next season.
He is awesome.
He can do flips. He has big hair. He loves his team more than anything. Rookie of the year fosho.
Kyle Dammeyer, Ohio State University
His slalom scores are amazing obviously, being an All American. But in one summer has become a pretty good jumper and a surprisingly good tricker (6th at nat'ls) turning him into a great overall skier. Oh, he's very popular Ed. The sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, wastoids, dweebies, dickheads - they all adore him. They think he's a righteous dude.
Shortbus, Cinci
He's short bus! He's good at skiing, he didn't fall through the gates in Van Wert, and he's excited about EVERYTHING!
Joel Cousineau, University of Michigan
Vastly improved in all 3 events and significantly contributed
Came in with only fundamentals and became a force in all 3 events improving astoundingly.
David “Hollywood” Dalton, Miami University
After losing a star skier to graduation, Miami had a large void to fill. Hollywood was e-mailing the team before he even started classes at Miami with excitement about getting out on the water and hoping to have a chance to maybe make the A team. Well Hollywood came out...and ended up being our number one skier. He consistently improved at each tournament...slaying buoys with ease. He has a great attitude and is always willing to help out other skiers who aspire to be just Hollywood one day. If you don't pull him straight...he will notice.
Jeremy Knafla, Purdue
Jeremy has been skiing for years. He is a great skier and his scores are extremely impressive for only being a freshmen. We will definitely see some great skiing from him over the next three years.
I just think he is a good skier and wanted to
nominate him for something… Because he is a freshman and he is good.
Billy Moore, Grand Valley State University
1st place jump at Flint Ski fest. 9th place jump at MSU Ripfest and Great Lakes Conferences.
Most Improved Skier
Scott Fitzer, Missouri State University
You may know Scott Fitzer because of him leading some magnetic evening festivities but you should also be aware of his commitment to his skiing improvements. As a grad student, Scott still found (lots) of time to practice. A few years ago, Scott was still working on running the course. At his last collegiate nationals this past year, he got into the MAN speed! Over the past few years, Scott had been having difficulty landing his jumps. At Nationals, he jumped 51 feet! He tricked 360 at nationals too. A solid 3 event skier if you ask me!
He’s a hell of a good time.
Lindsay Frenz, UW Madison
Ran her first course..tricked well...landed jumps for the first time.
Connor Gerding, Missouri State University
Connor has really worked hard to improve his skiing this past summer and fall in all three events. He makes multiple passes through the course on his wakeboard now, his trick score has increased so much, and he even PBed at nationals in jump.
Drew “Drewski” Petro, Miami University
Sporting the bullet proof best (day AND night) this sexy kid is unstoppable on the water and around the campfire. He is incredibly committed to the team and the sport. Always video taping himself and then watching it alone in a dark room while listening to audio clips of Lucky Lowe and Jodi Fisher. Training with Jodi Fisher was the highlight of his ski season...and most likely his life. Did I mention he trained with Jodi Fisher? Seriously though...this kid improved a lot on the water to become a fixture on the A team.
Julie Stewart, Grand Valley State University
First year competing in jump. Landed at all four tournaments with a 6th and 9th place
Hardest Worker Award
Maddy Baldwin, University of Iowa
Maddy is always judging and scoring for our tournaments. She also runs the University of Iowa tournaments and has been working during the summer for tournaments like the summer shakedown
Kevin Kresch, Iowa State
You can ask anyone on our team who puts in the most hours at the lake and on the water. He will keep practicing tricks and jumping until his legs give out and we make him stop. He has come a very long way in trick in a very short time and has been taking a lot of coaching and doing work in the off season to become a better jumper for next season as well.
Stephanie Elhoffer, Missouri State
Personally, as a three time winner of this award I believe that Stephanie has filled out the bill quite well this year. In her final year of school she has integrated herself at the Regional and National level. She takes pride in bettering the sport and leads multiple initiatives including attempts to make academic all-stars more relevant once again. Stephanie deserves this award for all her hard work both on and off the water that she puts in while not skiing.
From NCWSA.com:
She has stepped up her level of involvement within the MCWSA, to hold positions as both Awards Chairman and Officials Chairman. She has also been filling the role of Media Coordinator for USA Waterski, helping bring the NCWSA back into the mainstream media.
She won the 2010 NCWSA Outstanding Female Leader.
Joel Cousineau, University of Michigan
Everyone knows that running a collegiate water ski team takes more effort than one would imagine. That's why we are so grateful that Joel joined the team. He didn't miss a tournament, took people to the lake in below 40 degree rain, and supported each and every skier. Not that the team encouraged this, but Joel dropped a math class and ROTC in order spend more time with the water ski team. This devotion earned him a spot as Captain of the 2011 team (his first ever officer position).
Andrew Fendler, MIZZOU
Drew has a true passion for skiing and improved his skills tremendously over the offseason. He has a constant thirst to get better at skiing and to be more involved in the skiing community. At all of the tournaments he was always busy working on his Assistant Judge and Driver requirements. He will have no problem bouncing back from snapping his femur in half at the tourney in Wichita.
Mark Ehlers, UW Madison
He does a lot for the team and water skiing in general.
He worked really hard at becoming a rated official last fall.
Paul Tierney, Missouri State University
He cleans at the lake, is out there all the time, and is always pushing himself to ski his best.
Paul is the guy who is always making sure things are being kept up at the lake and the good ol' American Skier is still running. Or even if you need help with your bicycle chain on campus.. Paul is always there!
Bob Anderson, UW La Crosse
Bob is present at every tournament and social event willing to work from sunup until sundown. He also has been team captain of his team for many years, tournament director of the Neosho tournament, and working towards becoming an assistant safety and judge. Bob is also eager to get involved and stay involved in many different aspects of skiing.
Jacklyn Woniger, University of Cincinnati
Hello she had a broken back, and was on crutches at nationals for an injured knee. And still skied. I don’t think we need to explain this one.
Justin Ady, University of Cincinnati
He always judged tournaments, ran practice
flawlessly, often drove practice for others instead of taking a set for himself and didn’t let that fall at Van Wert set him back in Slalom.
Kiedrowski Award
(Most Supportive Skier)
Brittney Lynch, Iowa State
Brittney is always in a good mood and always watching to make sure we cheer for every one of our skiers. She cheers both from the shore and more often offers moral support by waiting with skiers near the starting dock.
Matt Costello, Missouri State
Matt is the most supportive skier I’ve ever known. He was Missouri State’s Vice President for the past year and attended every single tournament and skied B team when it was offered. You could always find Matt on the shores ringing our cowbells cheering on our team & friends on other teams. He does anything for anybody, doesn’t matter what team you’re on.
Matt is the dad of our team. He makes sure everyone has their equipment, is up, and is having fun. He is the reason I kept coming around.
Ashley Colburn, Purdue
She's never stopped supporting Purdue, which is loud and obnoxious, but loves hanging out with OSU and cincy. She even congratulated us when we beat them at Conference (but she was still pissed).
Maddy Baldwin, University of Iowa
Always positive and supportive.
Chris Reynolds, UW Madison
The guy is the fan of fans. Made every tourney. For the team. By the team.
Allie Fisher, Miami University
Allie was by far the most supportive member of the team. I'm not sure if I have ever seen her frown or in a bad mood. Even when she is upset in how her run went, she somehow still has a smile on and is laughing with teammates. Allie was up every morning at 8AM and would stay and watch every person compete while other's took naps and went on McDonalds 50 piece nugget runs. Best attitude and most supportive person I've seen at a MCWSA event.
Devin Cassidy, University of Illinois
She is always happy and being supportive. She is a good skier and knows how to encourage others to ski their best.
Jenna Gibbs, Grand Valley State University
Jenna was injured training in the off-season, but came to every tournament and every practice anyway. She's always on the starting dock with a smile on her face and is a super great team member!
Tore many muscles and ligaments in her shoulder and still came to all the tournaments and made sure the skiers were on the dock on time and ready.
Gus Shryack, Iowa State University
Gus has been on Iowa State’s team for like 10 years or something. He goes to every single tournament and cheers on his team & his friends on other teams. Gus has been on Iowa State’s exec board in years past but now that he is in grad school he holds the position of Webmaster. His grad program is very time consuming but he still finds time during the on & off season to attend every ski function and update their website consistently. He is, hands down, the most supportive skier in the entire Midwest and truly wants each skier to ski their best, no matter what team they are on. He flew himself down to Nationals, missing the drive with the team, because of classes & cheered for ISU & Team Midwest.
Most Outstanding Senior Female
Heather Donen, UW Madison
Heather placed 1st overall at her last Regionals
She is a great role model, outstanding skier, very supportive, awesome president, overall the bomb!
Heather been the anchor for the Madison girls team for the past almost two years. This past year she placed in the top three in both slalom and jump in all regional tournaments that she competed in. Heather really only slalomed before joining the Madison ski team. In the past four years she has learned to jump consistently in the 80 foot range and trick upwards of 600 points. Her leadership was key in the upset of Purdue at the Midwest Regionals.
Heather has worked her tail off to be a strong overall skier for her team, and this year it really showed when she led her team to a great finish at Nationals. She was present at every tournament, working hard to help the hosting team make it run smoothly, whether she was tournament director or not. She also has the greatest costumes and games to bring to the Saturday night events. Basically she rocks and we will miss her next year!
Torrey Richardson, University of Michigan
Torrey Richardson graduated with a degree in Sports Management in spring of 2010. However, one week before class started in the fall she decided she HAD to return... this time for her degree in water skiing. With her last year of eligibility, she lead the University of Michigan's womens team. She achieved several podium placements including 2nd in trick at regionals. Not only is she a phenomenal skier, but she put her time into improving our teams spirit and coaching our newer skiers. She will truly be missed.
Jackie Duchene, University of Michigan
Jackie Duchene endured a jump accident in the spring of 2010 that shattered her dreams of skiing not only over the summer but in the fall of her senior year. Voted captain for the season, Jackie went to every tournament regardless of the fact that she could not ski. She was on the dock all day long (with her knee brace) supporting and coaching skiers. As the season concluded she was honored with the "Helper Award" for best representing the team on and off the water in skiing ability, leadership, academics, interaction with others in and outside of the ski community.
Stephanie Elhoffer, Missouri State University
Stephanie Elhoffer. Do I really need to say more? She has done so much for our team. A great three event skier, president, and friend. She definitely deserves this.
She was the president and always got our team a lot of points. She did a great job organizing everything.
She tied for 2nd Overall at Regionals last year. Got into 22 off without knowing she was at 22 off. At Nationals, she tricked a new collegiate PB of 910.
Maggie Tierney, Iowa State University
Supportive, nice to everyone, all around awesome
For the past 4 years Maggie has been the 5 round skier in all events for the Iowa State girls team. This past year she has placed in the top three in both slalom and jump in most of the tournaments that she has competed in the Midwest region. She also placed first in three of the tournaments that she competed in this fall, including D2 Nationals. When Maggie joined the team she did not trick and over the past 4 years she has learned how to consistently trick 580 points. Her leadership this fall was key in allowing Iowa state to win the wild card tournament and qualify for D2 nationals.
Samantha Ruehl, Ohio University
Let’s see… Sam tricked over 2200 points (she has a 7 too), slalomed into 28 off, oh and she learned to jump this year and won overall at the Ball State Fling.
Most Outstanding Senior Male
Dan Shuman, Iowa State
Dan has been a huge part of the Iowa State men's team through their strongest years in team history. He has always had a strong trick score and made huge improvements in jump (117 in nationals this year for a 5th place). He also made huge improvements to earn a high spot on our mens slalom team and blew his PB away at the first tournament this year (Waterloo) then consistently skied into short line for other tournaments.
Matt Knafla, Iowa State
Not only is he an outstanding skier and competitor, he has been a major part of Iowa State's water ski team and their success. He always helps out at tournaments whether it's judging, scoring or simply cleaning up. He is also part of NCWSA board and is always striving for excellence
Great at skiing, friends with all, fun to be around, dedicated to the sport
ISU president who keeps his team in line, they call him dad for a reason, he won the Male Outstanding Leader of the Year Award… isn’t this kind of the same thing?
Won the 2010 NCWSA Male Outstanding Leader of the Year award.
Austin Voss, Missouri State University
Austin had a rough start to this season from his ACL injury in the winter, but that did not stop him! He skied well with that lovely knee brace of his on at every tournament! And of course you can always find him with a cow bell cheering on everyone and singing SHOTS.
Scott Fitzer, Missouri State University
He’s more like SUPER DUPER Senior, but what the heck, he deserves some recognition! If you think being in college and skiing is time consuming & sometimes a bit stressful, can you imagine doing it in GRAD school? Talk about some serious time management & setting his priorities straight. He skied hard and partied even harder. That, my friends, is why he deserves this award. And he’s pretty cool too.
Most Consistent Skier
Heather Donen, UW Madison
She consistently jumped 70+ (mostly over 80), ran into short line all tournaments and tricked up to a one pass PB
Consistently does well
Brett Phillips, University of Michigan
He consistently did well in slalom...our team could count on him no matter what the conditions were outside.
Our team is lucky that Brett Phillips, a freshman from New York, chose the University of Michigan. He surprised us with his skiing ability and team involvement. Having just graduated our top male skiers, it was comforting when we could always rely on Brett's slalom score to boost our men's team standing. He consistently ran into 32 off the line placing him high in the Midwest rankings. We look forward to what Brett will bring to the table in the future.
Ben VT, Ohio State University
Slalom- If not for nationals where he set a PB Ben consistently got 2-3.5 @ 32' off
Trick-tricked exactly 2040 pts and never got that wrap-in toe-O he was talking about.
Jump- Consistently placed in the top 3 every tournament (3 first place finishes)
I don’t remember him ever skiing bad this season, tricked 2000+ consistently, jumped over 130 at three tournaments, and always ran into 28 off.
Dan Shuman, Iowa State University
Over the past 3 years Dan has been one of the most consistent skiers on the Iowa State Team. This past year Dan tricked 1200 points at 4 of the 5 tournaments that he skied in, including D2 Nationals placing in the top ten. Not only is he a consistent trick skier but in three of the tournaments he skied in he jumped over 110 feet, including D2 nationals where he jumped 117 feet placing fifth. Lastly Dan slalomed multiple times deep into 22 off and 28 off. Not only is Dan just a consistent skier he is a consistent skier in high pressure tournaments like Nationals.
Kevin Kresh, Iowa State University
Solid scores. Red hair. Big dreams. Everyday's a Saturday.
Consistently has red hair.
Lauren Sprenger, UW Madison
Jumped 49-54ft at every tournament, slalomed 2-4 buoys at 28mph at every tourny.
Adam Mueller, Iowa State University
He consistently didn’t run a pass the whole season
Most Likely to go Pro
Brett Phillips, University of Michigan
Consistently outstanding performance.
Tyler Lorenz, UW Madison
Cuz he’s cute.
He’s already a pro
He’s a really good skier
He is an outstanding skier and very consistent, he also competed at Malibu Open.
he’s kind of a big deal if you haven’t heard.
Paul Ogren, Iowa State
Heart of a lion.
Best Team Captain
Tyler Lorenz, UW Madison
worked hard to get things done
Scott Schmitt, Southern Illinois University
I am nominating Scott Schmitt for Best Team Captain because I have seen first hand the time and dedication Scott had to his team. He would bring several skiers over to Timberlake (nearly 2 hours from campus) 2 or 3 nights a week to get good practice sets in. He ran the tournament SIU put on this fall. He has been overly supportive of every member of his team and made sure they always had what the needed when it was their time to ski. I believe Scott deserves this award in return for all his hard work.
Justin Ady, University of Cincinnati
He put the most time and effort into the team all year,
he didn’t miss any ski event fundraiser, practice or tournament…Except for that time when he decided to go to a job fair and come to Nationals a day late.
Katie Redes, Grand Valley State University
7th place slalom at Midwest Collegiate Regionals. Very organized, and always got Grand Valley to tournaments efficiently and will everything filled out ahead of time.
Most Valuable Female Skier
Jane Erickson, University of Minnesota
Jane never practices and still beats everyone when she shows up! She has an amazing toe pass, can jump over 80 without practicing and slaloms consistently into 28 off. She definitely carries her team and is a huge asset to Team Midwest.
Marti Guiotti, University of Michigan
She is a very consistent and skilled skier in all events.
Brigid Burke, UW Madison
she's a great skier and loves water skiing.
Jordan Dutro, Missouri State University
She excels in every event and is our new President.
You could always find Jordan Dutro on the podium at every single Midwest tournament. She consistently skis nearly her best at every tournament & she looks good doing it. She always had the BEST costumes too. Which means she deserves this award the most.
Jacklyn Woniger, University of Cincinnati
She always sacrificed herself for the team. She got us to Nationals by jumping, when she probably shouldn’t have, and toughed out the entire season with a knee injury and a broken back.
Colleen Condra, Grand Valley State University
4th, 5th, 6th, and 10th place finishes in slalom. 4th, 2nd and two 1sts in jump. 500 points in trick at Regionals.
Heather Donen, UW Madison
She is the Wisconsin Team President, Midwest Regionals Female Overall Champion and All-Star Team Captain, and the best dancer/partier the midwest has to offer.
Most Valuable Male Skier
Matt Knafla, Iowa State University
Matt consistently scores/medals in all 3 events and has been doing it for all 4 years.
Paul Tierney, Missouri State University
Paul had a very consistent and high scoring season especially in jump and slalom. He consistently jumped over 100 and slalomed into 32 off.
Ben VanTreese, Ohio State University
Slalom- If not for nationals where he set a PB Ben consistently got 2-3.5 @ 32' off
Trick-tricked exactly 2040 pts and never got that wrap-in toe-O he was talking about.
Jump- Consistently placed in the top 3 every tournament (3 first place finishes)
Conference-1st
Ball St. Fling-1st
MSU Ripfest-1st
Nationals-2nd
Regionals-2nd?
the most valuable male skier on the DII national champion’s team OSU
Steven Cyra, UW Madison
He's a great skier and loves the sport
Scott Schmitt, Southern Illinois University
Scott is a strong 3 event skier and a key player in the team points. He has placed several times and has especially had outstanding trick runs. His performance has helped SIU qualify for Regionals and put their Men's team high on the board.
Scott has an incredible passion for the sport that you don’t come across every day. He was always helping officiate at tournaments and skied his best.
Happy Award- Most Supportive Alumni
Kevin Klingbeil, Iowa State
He's never really happy unless he's dressed as a girl and covered with sparkles. But he does work really really hard to earn his sparkles.
Nick Groeneweg, University of Michigan
Nick is in his 6th year at the University of Michigan pursuing a graduate degree in Biomedical Engineering. Even though he no longer has eligibility and is managing a more difficult academic schedule, he attends every tournament. Locally on our team, he has received the "Hero Award" 4 years in a row. Recipients of this award are people the skiers really look up to as a skier, a friend, a leader, and a confidant. Yet his consistent attendance and impressive achievements are diminutive compared to the support he showed the team after a horrific jump accident. Nick shattered his femur jumping in Louisiana. Despite the difficulty he faced in every day life, Nick remains the most involved jump coach on our team. He always puts the needs of the team and its members ahead of himself.
Jim Grabowski, Marquette University
Always supporting the sport and overall positive energy
He’s really tall. And he likes to party.
He is on the MCWSA board and has been for a number of years. He’s always more than willing to go out of his way to see teams succeed.
Mike Krumrey, Missouri State University
He is at every tournament he can make cheering us on.
Mike has been graduated for like 6 years and he continues to come around, get to know the team, and cheer us on at tournaments. He’s always there for us and for every team.
Traci Weis, Purdue
Traci loves and supports everyone. She is always supportive to all the skiers and friendly to competitors on all teams. She is fun to be around, her positive attitude is contagious.
Cris Kodiak, Purdue
If you don’t know who he is, then you have been living under a rock for the past year. For those under that rock, Cris is the chairman of the Midwest. He does pretty much everything. Puts together the tournaments, sends out emails to captains, represents the Midwest at National tournaments, and is now the Secretary of the NCWSA.
Most Likely to Hit the Side Curtain
Dan Newcomer, UW Madison
Nationals catapult
He hit the side curtain
His crash has gone viral appearing on sites like creakyrowboat and a link posted on skifly I believe. Either way this face painted badger show skier gave that side curtain his all and is the only person I've seen aim for the red, realize he's late, debate whether to pass on the left or right, then say "fuck it" and hit the white. Evidence: http://www.creakyrowboat.com/2010/10/aim-for-red.html
Well, he actually hit the side curtain at nationals and needed stitches at the hospital.
clown act.
Do I need to describe the events of Nationals? It was on youtube.
Paul Ogren, Iowa State University
Pauly truly would put his own body on the line for the biggest jump. Not to mention that at Regionals he truly did hit the side curtain as his fin went flying through
the air.
Kyle Dammeyer, Ohio State University
MSU ripfest: Kyle tried on the big team skis and got off his 76" connelly's. This, in combination with an incomplete jump course, threw off Kyle's timing enough to ride up the right side of the side curtain and launch himself inverted through the air.
Jack Martin, Ohio State University
Jack was going big or going home when he singled at the ramp in Texas. He wanted to make it on the ramp so bad that he lifted his right ski. Unfortunately that didn't help him and he took the side curtain ride. I think with his tenacity and lack of experience we will see big crashes out of Jack in the 2011 season
Sean Jacobi, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Because he has and will continue to do so for long to come
Kevin Kresch, Iowa State University
He hits the side curtain like its his job.
Andy Nolan, Miami University
Nolan has become somewhat infamous at MCWSA tournaments...mainly due to his performance during those cold mid west nights. Yes, that was his beat up trail blazer blasting music and yes that was him with some choice beverages taped around his hands. Oh and yes he did dislocate his shoulder at regionals after dark. With seemingly no regard for his body, Nolan will do almost anything for the team. Hitting the side curtain would be just another day at practice for this character.
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