Nominate skiers for skiammys!

Please head over to the forums and nominate your favorite midwest skiers for the 2008 Skiammy Awards!!!

There are 14 Awards in all, including Senior of the Year, Rookie of the year, Captain of the Year, Most Valuable Skier, Most Likely to hit the Side Curtain and many more.

The link is www.mcwsa.com/forums

Please hurry! Nominations close on February 1, and the voting will take place here next week.

You can also clink the link at the top of the homepage to "Forums"

Camp counselor positions for Summer 2009

Team Midwest,

We've been made aware of a new opportunity to be a waterski instructor at a summer camp this upcoming summer, along with some more information about the previous opportunity that was posted here on MCWSA.com and we'd like to pass it along. Ellyn Black from Camp Fernwood in Poland, Maine sent us this email about this newest opportunity:

To whom it may concern,

Camp Fernwood is seeking highly motivated camp counselors to teach waterskiing and wakeboarding for the summer of 2009 (June 19th through August 14th). Camp Fernwood is a summer camp located on a beautiful lake setting in Poland, Maine. Here, you will be teaching waterskiing and wakeboarding to girls ages 8-15 .

The successful candidate will be joining 100 other staff members from all over the world, where he or she will be residing in an all-girls, seven-week program filled with many different activities. Camp Fernwood is non-competitive in nature where friendships are valued, and people are appreciated for who they are. You will be instrumental in the development of children, helping to foster self-confidence, independence, life-long skills, an appreciation for community, safe risk taking and a healthy lifestyle.

2009 MCWSA Schedule is Set!

Tomorrow starts the new year, and what better way to ring it in than with a full schedule of tournament fun! As 2008 comes to a close the 2009 schedule has been set and ready to go. We witnessed one of the best years and most productive years in Midwest history last year and 2009 looks to be even better! The Midwest is going to be treated to 13 tournaments in the 2009 calendar year, AT 11 DIFFERENT SITES!!!!

This is a record on both accounts and truly a big big step forward for the midwest. Thank you to all of the sites that are set for tournaments: Neosho (Lacrosse), Dream Lakes (2 Tournaments - Iowa State), Waterhawks (2 tournaments - Iowa), Pleasant Shores (Ball State), Lake Jepawhit (NEW! - UM-Flint), Lake Freddie (Missouri State), Tivoli Gardens (Michigan State), Lake Lottawatta (Cincinnati), Placid Waters (NEW! - Grand Valley State), Waters Edge Estates (Wisconsin Madison), P.I.T.S. (Illinois).

We have seen tournaments at most of these sites before, but there are two sites that are new to collegiate water skiing, complete with two teams that are hosting their very first tournaments!

UM-Flint is hosting a tournament at Lake Jepawhit in Gaines Township, MI on the opening weekend of the fall season. This is a nationally recognized site (as seen in Water Ski Magazine in “Sites to See”) and has been the host site for the past "Big Dawgs" tournaments. Other tournaments held here are the Michigan 3 event State, the Michigan Barefoot Championships & Mastercraft Pro Tour Michigan Stop of 2008. This will be the second fully lighted lake to host collegiate water skiing, and skiing on a lighted lake after dark is truly a one of a kind experience! This also permits an extra long practice session friday night, as practice can be run after dark as well.

The Great Lakes Conference Championships are moving north this year as well, as Grand Valley State hosts their first tournament on a brand new site! They will host conference at Placid Waters in Allendale, MI about 25 minutes west of Grand Rapids. Placid Waters is a brand new water ski development that currently has 3 ski lakes, with 3 more being built. Two of the lakes have courses and the other has the jump. It will be possible to run 2 events at once and there is a peninsula between the lakes so there is great specatator seating. It sounds like it is set up along similar lines as Waters Edge, but includes a third lake. This should give plenty of opportunity to complete all of B-team with time to spare! This new development also boasts of being secluded with hills around the lakes to block the wind so the water is perfect in almost any weather condition, and the pro-tour is scheduled to be held here in the future.

The full 2009 Schedule (spring and fall) is as follows:

Midwest skiers honored with National Awards

Congratulations to the University of Cincinnati Bearcats water ski team, and Adam Koehler of Marquette University who were named National Team of the Year and Male Most Outstanding Leader, respectively, by the National Collegiate Water Ski Association.

Both won against numerous very qualified candidates around the country.

For a full list of the award winners and a summary about each winner: http://www.ncwsa.com/index.php/latest-news/360-2008-ncwsa-award-winners

Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners, especially those from Team Midwest!

Team Midwest loses pioneer and friend.

It is with deep sadness that I report the loss of a long-time friend of Midwest Collegiate Water Skiing.

Scott Coley - President of the Wisconsin Water Ski Federation - has passed away at the age of 57. On Friday December 19 - Scott was driving to work, when his heart failed on him.

For those of you that do not know the name of Scott Coley - you certainly have seen the effects of his work. He is responsible for starting most every collegiate water ski team in the state of Wisconsin. In 1999, there was not one ski team in the state of Wisconsin. Now Wisconsin boasts more collegiate ski teams than any other state in the United States. That is because of the tireless efforts of Scott Coley. He was the mastermind behind the Collegiate Extreme Challenge which showcased collegiate wakeboarding and barefooting as well. With his connections and in his presidency of the Wisconsin Water Ski Federation, he was also able to provide a program where many college teams were able to get a boat for practice and for their own use. This exchange program allowed college teams, from not only wisconsin but as far as Kansas and Michigan, to get a new boat each year for team use. Without his program and forward thinking, many of these schools would not have a boat to use.

Below are two links to obituaries celebrating the life and accomplishments of Mr. Scott Coley.

http://shimonfuneralhome.com/obituaries.asp?q=1041

http://wwsf.waterski.org/news/story.php?id=134

Also if you would like to pay your respects, or send a message to his family, here is that contact information.

Visitation and Funeral are on Tuesday December 23.

St. Michael's Lutheran Church
Hustisford
visitation from 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Funeral service at 7:00pm

St. Michaels Lutheran Church
N4911 Gray Rd.
Iron Ridge (Hustisford), WI

http://www.legacy.com/JSOnline/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStoryPrint&PersonID=121686010

Past midwest skier on ballofspray.com

Adam Cord - standout skier for Purdue University from 2002-2006 - was just interviewed on a water ski website called www.ballofspray.com, about his work with Obrien Water Skis and development of the new Elite ski from Obrien.

Take a look at a very cool interview!

http://ballofspray.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47:adam-cord-interview&catid=34:ballofspray-water-ski-interviews&Itemid=72

Team Midwest nominated for National Awards!

The NCWSA every year, has 5 end-of-the-year awards.

They are:

* Male and Female Athlete of the Year. This award is for the greatest performing male and female athlete in the NCWSA for ALL of the 2008 calendar year, this includes the Spring AND Fall of 2008. This award is based on only scores acheived in NCWSA events.

* Male and Female Most Outstanding Leader. This award goes to the male and female skier that contributed the most to the NCWSA off the water. Whether it be through their team, their conference, their region, or the nation, these skiers provided leadership off the water and gave of their time and effort to improve our sport.

* Team of the Year. This award goes to the team that personified all that NCWSA stands for this season and the team that stood out among their peers as a model of organization and performance.

Team Midwest was well represented with 5 nominees.

Melanie Cyra from Wisconsin Madison is nominated for Female Athlete of the Year. She skied 8 collegiate tournaments in 2008, including All-Stars and Division 1 Nationals. Her season was highlighted by joining the very exclusive female collegiate century club for the first time, on her last jump at D1 Nationals, and set a new conference jump record in the process/

There were three teams nominated for Team of the Year.

Cincinnati Bearcats - Quite Possibly the cinderella story of the year. Never qualified for Nationals in the history of the team, yet have a very successful year, taking 2nd at conference, coming in 4th at regionals (after 11th last year) and winning the Division 2 National Tournament. ON top of that, they were always around dock starting, announcing, helping in any way they could at Conference and Nationals, even though they weren't hosting.

Wisconsin Madison Badgers - Have you ever wanted something so bad you can taste it? Has that want been consuming you for 6 years? Did you finally achieve that milestone that you were looking for? Then you know what Wisconsin Madison felt like, when they beat the Purdue Boilermakers at Collegiate Nationals. By a mere 30 points, the teams were neck and neck all weekend long. It was a great culmination for a team that had one goal, and achieved it on the grandest of stages. The team also did a great job snagging homegrown talent Tyler Lorenz for the team as well.

Iowa State Cyclones - The Cyclones came out of seemingly nowhere to be a very consistent team in 2008. They hosted two tournaments at their 2-lake site and gave a lot of time and effort to pull that off. Not only that, but they may have had the most improved off-season of any team in the land. Skiers that were improving by multiple passes, hundreds of trick points, and over 80 feet in jump for some. They have a strong balance of men and women, and will be even stronger next year.

Adam Koehler of Marquette is nominated for Male Most Outstanding Leader. Adam was the brainchild which got 2 more wildcard teams to Collegiate Nationals. An idea that Team Midwest has directly benefitted from by bringing a 6th team last year, and for sure 6, maybe even 7 for next year. He also is working on an idea of NCWSA Medical Redshirting, as well as revisiting the NCWSA scoring system to make sure it is as fair as possible. On top of this, he is the website coordinator for the Marquette team as well as their alumni liasion.

So please join me in giving these fine candidates a well deserved round of applause. Stay tuned to here and www.ncwsa.com to see who brings home the hardware and gets invited to the USAWS awards ceremony in Orlando in January.

Winter Conferece XII to be Hosted by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Hello sports fans! The date has been set- February 7th, 2009 will be the date of the Twelfth Annual MCWSA Winter Conference hosted by the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

This will be the twelfth year for the MCWSA Winter Conference and Wisconsin Milwaukee will be the fifth team to host the event, and the third in 3 years! UWM takes the reins from the University of Michigan, who hosted last year and ran an amazing Winter Conference.

This year UWM bested Kansas University, Kansas State University, and The Ohio State University who were all in the running to host Winter Conference XII; by far the most bids the MCWSA has ever received to host WC. In fact, this may be the first year that multiple bids were submitted, and if not then it is definitely the first year that more than two have been submitted.

While most of you know what Winter Conference is all about, for those who don’t I’ll explain it a little. Winter Conference is a day long convention of sorts that brings all of us Midwest skiers together in the bitter cold to recap our season, talk about skiing, and get expert instruction from the pros! During the day on Saturday there will be different sessions run by various experts (pros) in slalom, trick, and jump, who are there to answer questions, teach us proper technique and generally help us all get better. And it’s not one size fits all either; there are three different ability levels of each event, plus tons of extras- off season training, mental toughness, team building and fundraising, even how to stay involved after college. It’s anything and everything you ever wanted to know/learn about waterskiing with all of your best friends right at your side!

It’s one of the best and most informative experiences you’ll be a part of as a collegiate waterskier, but if that alone isn’t enough to get you there, I’m sure you all know what comes after a long day of waterskiing in the Midwest… that’s right, a Team Midwest party! And no doubt UWM will have a theme for the party that rises to the occasion!

So save the date Team Midwest- February 7th, 2009. Winter Conference XII in Milwaukee. It’s guaranteed to be a blast and we can’t wait to see you there!

Hotel Information and directions will be coming soon, and it will be posted as soon as we have all the details.

Waterski Instructor Opportunities for Collegiate Skiers

Team Midwest- even though winter is upon us, it’s never too early to start thinking about next season! We received an email from a man named Eric Tackett about working specifically with collegiate skiers to place them in summer camps across the country as instructors, and it sounds like a pretty good way to land that dream summer job.

Here’s what he had to say:

Hi, my name is Eric “tex” Tackett, I have been involved in waterskiing for over 25 years and have been assisting collegiate skiers for over ten years placing them at their summer dream job. WaterskiWorks is searching all over the country for you, the collegiate water skier, who is looking to get paid to play all summer. WaterskiWorks works closely with summer sleep-away camps all over the nation who are in need of waterski instructors and counselors. As an instructor, you will be teaching youth skiers ages 7-15. There is no better place to train for next season, and actually get paid, versus paying for gas and trying to find drivers. Check out our web-site www.WaterskiWorks.com and apply, or feel free to call me for more info (972)762-0171.

Anyone that may be interested should definitely go check out the website and get a hold of him. This could be an amazing opportunity to interact with kids and get yourself in shape and fine-tuned for the upcoming fall season.

Regional Wrap Up

The 2008 Midwest Collegiate Regionals, hosted by the University of Illinois, wrapped up in a spectacular fashion this past weekend down at the PITS in Decatur, Illinois. The best 16 teams in the Midwest region squared off for one of five berths in the NCWSA National Championships held this year in Phoenix Arizona. Oh and let's not forget, this is the first time that the Great Lakes teams have seen any of the Great Plaines teams in real competition. Purdue vs. Madison. Michigan vs. Iowa State. Cincinnati vs. Missouri State. Illinois vs. Wisconsin Stout vs. Michigan State. The battles are close and they all mean something.

The competition got off to a hot start Friday morning with women’s slalom under beautiful conditions. The competition was fierce but at the end of the day, Danielle Drewery of Grand Valley State (who are competing in their first ever Regionals) took first place with a score of 4 @ 28 off. Second place went to Maggie Tierney of Iowa State with 0.5 @ 28 off. Like a year ago, there was a tie in the women’s slalom event, but this time it was for third place. Both Heather Donen of Wisconsin Madison and Katie Redes of Grand Valley State both scored 3.5 @ 22 off. Rounding out the top 5 for the women was Ariel Oppenheim from Michigan State, just missing a full pass with 5 @ 15 off.

Midwest Regionals - Day 1

Anyone that has seen a midwest tournament this year knew that the midwest regionals was going to be close. Anyone who has looked at the national team ranking system, knew that regionals was going to be close. Anyone who loves drama, hoped that the midwest regionals was going to be close.

All of these people are happy and right.

In Decatur Illinois, the best 16 teams in the midwest region are squaring off for a berth in the National Collegiate Championships in Phoenix Arizona. Oh and let's not forget, this is the first time that the Great Lakes teams have seen any of the Great Plaines teams in real competition. Purdue vs. Madison. Michigan vs. Iowa State. Cincinnati vs. Missouri State. Illinois vs. Wisconsin Stout vs. Michigan State. The battles are close and they all mean something.

Day 1 is in the books, and every single bouy mattered.

On the women's side of the course, Ariel Oppenheim of Michigan State started off in 5th place with 5@15off. There was a tie for third ahead of here between Madison's Heather Donen and Grand Valley State's Katie Redes with 3.5@22off. The top 2 girls cleaned the orange loop and got into 28 off. Snagging 2nd with 0.5 @ 28 was Maggie Tierney of Iowa State. And the Regional championship goes to Danielle Drewry of Grand Valley State (Who are competing in their first ever regionals), with 4@28off. Congrats ladies.

The women's slalom team scores look like this:

1. Wisconsin Madison 2025
2. Iowa State 1990
3. Missouri State 1845
4. Purdue 1835
5. Michigan 1715

Thats right, not even 200 points seperate 1st from 4th.

The men decided to follow the ladies lead and swerve it up to new heights. Check this out, the top 9 men's skiers were all seperated by one bouy. Thats right - one bouy between 1st and 2nd, 2nd and 3rd, 3rd and 4th...you get the picture.

In 5th was Illinois's Mark Cassidy with 5@32off. 4th was Tyler Lorenz of Madison with a clean 6@32. Freshman Paul Tierney of Missouri State got into the blue loop with 1 at 35 off. Matt Knafla of Iowa State proves he's not just a tricker by taking second with 2@35 off. And Purdue's own Checho Uribe is the regional champ with a score of 3 @ 35 off. Congrats to all on stepping it up in difficult conditions.

Men's Slalom team scores look like this:

1. Purdue 2495
2. Southern Illinois 2190
3. Cincinnati 2150
4. Iowa State 2070
5. Illinois 2045

There were two teams that had both their men's and women's slalom team in the top 5. These two teams lead out combined scoreboard right now. If it ended right now, the top 5 would be in, 6,7,and 8 would be in the wildcard chase, and the rest would end their season. But it isn't done right now. We have 2 more days of stiffling competition to go. Here are team standings after men's and women's slalom.

1. Purdue Boilermakers - 4330
2. Iowa State Cyclones - 4060
3. Wisconsin Madison Badgers - 3860
4. Missouri State Bears - 3725
5. Cincinnati Bearcats - 3625
6. Michigan Wolverines - 3135
7. Illinois Fighting Illini - 3115
8. Michigan State Spartans - 3000
9. Southern Illinois Salukis - 2840
10. Wisconsin Stout Blue Devils - 2545
11. Illinois State Redbirds - 2420
12. Grand Valley State Lakers - 2310
13. Western Michigan Broncos - 2020
14. Wisconsin Lacrosse Eagles - 1795
15. Wisconsin Milwaukee Panthers - 950
16. Miami Ohio Redhawks - 885

2008 Midwest Collegiate Wakeboard Regionals

DuLac

Gibson City, IL

Oct 4th – 5th

Welcome to the 2008 Midwest Collegiate Wakeboard Regionals, hosted by the Illinois State Water Ski Team. If your school has a wakeboard team that is separate from your water ski team please pass this along to the wakeboarders or let us know and we will send it to them.

General
-NO PETS

-No glass bottles allowed on site

-We will be camping at the site, so please plan accordingly

-Directions are posted at the end of this form.

Tournament and Registration

-Teams can register five men riders and two women riders.

-Teams may also register one wake skater per team.

-Preregistration will be open until Wednesday, October 1st until midnight. Minor changes may be made up until Friday night when your team arrives.

-For teams arriving late please be sure to designate someone to confirm your team’s registration and let us know of any changes by Friday at midnight.

-Wakeboarding will begin at 8:00 am Saturday and Sunday.

-Practice will be available for $5 per set on Friday from 5:00 pm until sundown.

-Concessions will be available beginning Saturday morning and last the duration of the tournament.

-Saturday dinner is provided for all skiers and officials—guests may purchase a

plate for $5.

Fees & Forms

-Individual Entry Fee: $35 - If one of your riders is doing both wakeboard & wake skate the fee is still just $35. (includes dinner on Saturday night).

-Team Entry Fee: $30 per team.

- Registration Template: This is due Midnight Wednesday night to Lacey Caldwell. Lacey’s email is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

- USA Water Ski membership should be updated, but if there are any new skiers you are bringing, make sure they have proof of USA Water Ski if needed. All riders must be currently enrolled in the school they are skiing for and need to bring their student IDs with them at time of registration Friday night.

- Please note: THIS IS NOT A MCWSA SANCTIONED EVENT

We will be having a theme party Saturday night, we will let you know sooner to the date of the tournament.

Any questions or concerns about the tournament you may contact:

Lacey Caldwell:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

(217) 725-3024

Scott Allen:

(847) 833-6115

Good luck to all of the teams!! This tournament is the Midwest Regional Qualifier for Wakeboard Nationals. Nationals is a televised event on CBS College Sports. It will be in the spring – more info to come!

Directions to Lake Site:

From Interstate 55, North of Bloomington:

-Head toward Dwight, IL and take exit 220; heading south

-This road is Rt. 47, and should be followed for 45 miles into Gibson City

-Go through (still heading South) the first 4-way Stop intersection

-Turn Left and the next intersection (T-intersection)

-Head to the first (and only) stoplight in town and make a right turn

-This road is still Rt. 47 and will be followed Approximately 1.5 miles.

-Turn Left onto E 300 North Rd., and it will be the first lake on the Right

From Interstate 74:

-Head towards Mahomet and take exit 172 (the Gibson City Exit) North

-Follow this road for Approximately 18 miles

-During that time you will drive Through a stop sign intersection

-Before you have reached Gibson City, you will take a right at E 300 N Rd.

-The road can be landmarked by a set of white “Dairyland Seed Buildings,” first lake on the Right

From Interstate 57:

-Head towards Paxton, IL and take exit 261 and head west

-You will follow this road for 15 miles, and then into Gibson City

-At the first (and only) stoplight in town, take a left and head south on Rt. 47

-Approximately 1.5 miles after the intersection, Turn Left onto E 300 North Rd.

-We are the first lake on the Right

Regionals Preview

16 teams. 5 golden tickets. 3 days.

In a few days no less than 16 teams from all across the Midwest will travel to Decatur, Ill to ski their hearts out in one of the most competitive Collegiate Regionals in the country. 5 of these teams will earn an invitation to the ’08 running of the NCWSA Nationals. It will take no longer than 3 days to find out whom these top five teams are, but which teams get a golden ticket? Now that’s the fun part.

This year’s sweet sixteen include the following teams:
Purdue
Cincinnati
Michigan
Michigan State
Western Michigan
Miami Ohio
Grand Valley State
UW Madison
Iowa State
Missouri State
UW Stout
University of Illinois
Southern Illinois
Illinois State
UW La Crosse
UW Milwaukee

I invite all of you to come and watch the action unfold because this will not be one to miss!

GPCC Wrap Up

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.

GLCC Wrap Up

Another exciting weekend has passed as 16 teams from the Great Lakes competed in the Great Lakes Conference Championships in the Midwest Region.

Women’s slalom started off the morning with Kayla McClure from Ball State taking first with 4.5 @ 32 off. Whitney Smith from new team Michigan Flint came in 2nd with 2 @ 32 off and Danielle Drewry from GVS and Traci Weis of Purdue tied for 3rd with 2.5 @ 28 off.

Purdue took 1st in Women’s slalom with 1915 points. U of M came in 2nd with 1880 and Grand Valley State University with 1720.

Men’s Slalom followed after with Sergio “Checho” Uribe from Purdue taking first with 2.25 @ 35 off. Benjamin Van Treese from Dayton came in 2nd with 3 @ 32 off and Ryan Daulton from Ohio State took 3rd with 2.5 @ 32 off. Just like their ladies team, Purdue took 1st overall in Men’s slalom with 2275points. Cincinnati took 2nd with 2035 and Ohio State 3rd with 1655.

With the weather cooperating this weekend there was no problem moving right into women’s trick.

Kayla McClure from Ball State took 1st overall for women’s trick with an impressive 1890 points, just 110 points away from setting a new Midwest record. Traci Weis from Purdue took 2nd with 970 and Whitney Smith from Michigan Flint took 3rd with 540. Team overall from women’s trick held no surprise with Purdue coming in first with 2050 points. U of M took 2nd with 1880 and CIN took 3rd with 1625.

Sergio “Checho” Uribe from Purdue took 1st in men’s trick with 3940 points, just a few hundred away from his own Regional trick record. In 2nd and 3rd were the flying Van Treese brother - Christophe Van Treese from Cincinnati came in 2nd with 2180 and younger brother Benjamin Van Treese from Dayton came in 3rd with 1890. Purdue took 1st in Men’s Trick with a total of 2600 points. CIN took 2nd with 2330 and U of M placed 3rd with 2290.

Women’s jump was an easy win for Kayla McClure from Ball State with 111ft. Traci Weis from Purdue came in 2nd jumping 64ft and Amanda McCarty from Indiana placed 3rd with 56ft. Overall women’s jump was taken by Purdue with 1510 points. CIN not too far behind with 1340 points and Miami (Ohio) followed with 1070.

Checho from Purdue won men’s jump with a new collegiate personal best of 143ft. His Boilermaker teammate Matthew Fillmore came in 2nd with 116ft and Benjamin Van Treese from the Flyers of Dayton took 3rd with 114ft. Men’s jump team was taken by Purdue with 1990 points. CIN took 2nd with 1760 and U of M 3rd with 1625.

In the women’s overall competition, Redbird Kayla McClure took it all the sweep of all three events -1620 points. Traci Weis from Purdue took 2nd with 1575 and her teammate Britney Sokol took 3rd with 1395.

In the men’s overall competition, Sergio Uribe from Purdue took it all with the sweep of his own - 1840 points. Flyer Benjamin Van Treese took 2nd with 1790 and Matthew Fillmore took 3rd with 1755.

Top 3 women’s overall went to Purdue with 5475 points. U of M placed 2nd with 4570 and CIN took 3rd with 4430.

Top 3 men’s overall went to Purdue with 6865 points. CIN took 2nd with 6125 and U of M placed 3rd with 5525.

The Conference Championships proved to be a close call as to which team would qualify for Regionals in Illinois, and which teams would go home with their fall season over. Purdue finished with a whopping 12340 points. The surprise of the tournament though, belongs to the Bearcats of Cincinnati who took 2nd with 10560 points. They put it all together to knock out Michigan who took 3rd with 10095.

The top 7 teams in the Great Lakes get an invitation to the Regional Championships in Decatur Illinois, hosted by the University of Illinois. Those 7 teams are:

1. Purdue Boilermakers
2. Cincinnati Bearcats
3. Michigan Wolverines
4. Michigan State Spartans
5. Western Michigan Broncos
6. Miami Ohio Redhawks
And for the first time since their team’s inception, the Lakers of Grand Valley State will be making the trek to Decatur to compete in Regionals.

Congratulations to all of the competing teams. Three new teams were formed in the Great Lakes Conference this year: Saginaw Valley State University, University of Michigan – Flint, and University of Notre Dame. All of which competed in the conference championships.

Michigan State Ripfest Wrap Up

Sixteen teams showed up to participate in MSU's Ripfest this past weekend in Linden, MI. Despite the weather,
competition held strong as most teams stuck around to fight for the win. All of the skiers showed promising potential
setting next week's conference expectations high.

Women's Slalom was first off the dock Saturday morning followed by men's slalom early in the afternoon.

In women's slalom, Whitney Smith of the University of Michigan Flint took first with 3.5 @ 32 off. Danielle Drewry
from Grand Valley State took second with 4 @ 28 off and her teammate Katelyn Redes came in third with 1 @ 28 off.
Needless to say, GVS took 1st overall with a score of 1470 in women's slalom followed by Purdue 1375 and U of M 1285.

In men's slalom, Edwin Wiley of Purdue took first with 4.5 @ 32 off, his teammate Matthew Fillmore came in second with
4 @ 32 off and Brenton Triplet tied him with 4 @ 32 off. Purdue overall came in first for men's slalom with a score of 1835
followed by U of M with 1520 and University of Cincinnati with 1515.

Although the rain was present all day, it was after slalom that a lot of teams decided to surrender to the weather and go home.
Women's trick followed right after slalom with Men's trick ending the day.

In women's trick, Whitney Smith from the University of Michigan Flint took first with a score of 780, Traci Weis came in
second with 660 and Erika Bramlett came in third with 450. Overall, U of M took first in Women's trick with 1050pts, Purdue
following with 1020 and MSU with 435.

Men's trick was dominated by Purdue's men. Sergio Urbie came in first with a monster 3550pts, Edwin Wiley with 1330 and
Matthew Fillmore with 1120. It is no surprise that Purdue came in first overall for men's trick with 1445pts, U of M not far behind
with1300 and University of Cincinnati with 1115.

Sunday morning although more promising weather than Saturday was still less than ideal for both women and men jumpers.
But, through the cold wind and rain they managed to make it threw for the love of the competition!

Women's jump had Traci Weis from Purdue taking first with 64ft, her first collegiate jump title. Jacklyn Woniger took second with
58ft and Julia Roberts came in third with 48ft. Overall, U of M placed first with a score of 335, University of Cincinnati following
with 235 and Purdue with 205.

In men's jump, Sergio Uribe from Purdue took first by jumping 133ft. Matthew Fillmore his teammate came in second jumping
118ft and Dan Pabst from MSU took third with 108ft. Overall for men's jump, Purdue with a score of 280pts took first, U of M
following with 170 and MSU with 110.

In the women's overall competition, Traci Weis from Purdue took first, Julia Roberts from U of M second and Jill Jolley from Grand
Valley State placing third.

In the men's overall competition, Sergio Uribe took first from Purdue, Matthew Fillmore placed second from Purdue and Edwin Wiley
placed third from (surprise surprise) Purdue!

It should be no surprise that with the top 3 men, the men's overall went to Purdue followed by U of M 2nd and then the University of
Cincinnati 3rd.

The top 3 women's overall went to U of M followed by Purdue 2nd and Grand Valley State 3rd.

It was a close call for the #1 spot seeing that Purdue and U of M took the 1 and 2 spots for the men and women's top overalls. But,
Purdue pulled forward and became the overall team champions at Ripfest 2008! U of M came up close with 2nd and University of Cincinnati 3rd.

Looks like Purdue has some competition for next week's conference, can U of M pull ahead? – Stay Tuned

Time heals nature's wounds

If you like college skiing, and if you are particularly a fan of Lake Lottawatta & Waters Edge Estates, then you are in good shape.

While mother nature tried her darndest to shut down the conference championships this weekend, the owners and ski clubs just simply would not allow it. At Waters Edge, things are looking up. Well in fact they are looking down if you are talking about water levels, and that is good. With the help of the whole ski club, the lifts have been put back together, the jump is secured back down, the docks have started to resurface and some slalom and jump buoys are popping up periodically. With just about one more foot of water level decrease, the site will be ready to go. They should have that water level decrease in the next two days with no problems. So plan on Great Plaines Conference Championships happening in Wilmington Illinois at Water Edge.

On the east side of the Region - there are also positive reports from Lake Lottawatta in the Great Lakes Conference. Their whole club has banded together and is spending each free hour at the site to get ready for the tournament by clearing debris from the water and by fixing the jump. They are also going to be set to go by Friday.

So both conference championships will be in their original locations. And both tournaments will decide the Sweet 16 that qualify for Regionals and get to compete for a chance to make it to Phoenix. Good luck to all this weekend!

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