Week three of the ’08 fall season has come and gone, along with it the Great Plains Conference Championships. For those of you who went you already know the tournament lived up to all the hype; from all the great skiing, to fantastic weather, the GPCC was not one to miss.
It didn’t take long to see that this tournament was going to have some close finishes and that every team there was ready to fight for a spot at regionals. The competition started early with the women’s jump and never let up.
Madison’s own Mel Cyra donkey kicked her way into first place with a big jump of 92ft. With a score of 75ft University of Illinois’s Christy Madden footed Maggie Tierney, of Iowa State, and came away with second.
While Mel Cyra was busy on the jump lake, another Badger was also winning it big on the slalom side. Tyler Lorenz(Mad) swerved his was around the competition for the win with a half buoy at 35’ off. Matt Knafla of Iowa State took second with 5 buoys at 32’ off and Southern Illinois’ Dana Grubb ran 2 at 32 for third.
As soon as the men’s slalom event was over the Waters Edge crew was ready to go with men’s trick. And trick they did, because just as expected some outstanding scores were posted. Tyler Lorenz won his second consecutive event when his tricks totaled 2560 points, in a close second was SIU’s Scott Schmitt who posted 2320. Andy Madden from Illinois State University snagged third when he tricked 1910 points.
On the women’s side the scores were equally impressive. Christy Madden took home another medal when she won the event with 1460 points, Minnesota’s Jane Erickson tricked 1180 points for second, and University of Iowa’s Madalyn Baldwin came in third, only 20 points behind Erickson.
Women’s slalom started Sunday off right when Madalyn Baldwin won the event with 4.5 at 22. Behind her was Heather Donen of Madison who ran 3 at 22 and in third was Maggie Tierney who ran 5 at 34.
With only one event left all the men’s jumpers put it on the line. Dana Grubb won yet again when he soared 149ft. Iowa State’s Paul Ogren not only set a new personal best when he leapt 142ft but he also footed Madison’s Tyler Lorenz who came in third.
In individual overall firsts went deservingly to Christy Madden and Tyler Lorenz.
In Team overall first went to the hosts who skied like Rockstars: UW Madison.
Second and third went to Iowa State and Missouri State respectively.
The top 9 teams received the invitation to Midwest Regionals, and they are:
1. Wisconsin Madison Badgers
2. Iowa State Cyclones
3. Missouri State Bears
4. Wisconsin Stout Blue Devils
5. Illinois Fighting Illini
6. Southern Illinois Salukis
7. Illinois State Redbirds
8. Wisconsin Lacrosse Eagles
9. Wisconsin Milwaukee Pounce Panthers
This is the first ever Regionals appearance for the Pounce Panthers of Wisconsin Milwaukee!
A big thanks goes to UW Madison and Waters Edge for hosting a fantastic tournament and I hope you will all join us when we cheer our GPC Champion’s this weekend for Regionals when they battle against the GLC for the chance to attend the 2008 NCWSA Nationals.
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