The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s water ski team placed second in the United States recently.
It competed in the 36th Collegiate Water Ski National Championships at TriLakes in Zachary, La., Oct. 16 – 18.
The University of Louisiana at Monroe’s team won the Division 1 national title for the fourth consecutive year.
The Warhawks earned 12,830 points; the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns scored 12,415 for the second-place finish. Florida Southern College finished third with 10,635 points, followed by Alabama finished third with 10,550 points.
The Division 1 field also included Arizona State, Cincinnati, Grand Valley State, Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan State, Ohio State and Rollins.
UL Lafayette athletes who won individual national titles in Division 1 were:
- Dane Mechler of Cincinnati, men’s slalom (2 buoys at 41 feet off);
- Dylan Schaffer of Owens Cross Roads, Ala., men’s tricks (6,700 points);
- Giannina Bonnemann of Germany, women’s jumping (148 feet); and
- Christopher Wharton of Great Britain, men’s jumping (175 feet).
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns teams have earned national championships five times: 1995, 1997, 2003, 2005, 2010.
Twelve teams competed in Division 2. National team champions were declared in both divisions. Clemson won the Division 2 championship.
Individual medals for slalom, tricks and jumping were awarded based on athletes' placements within their division. Overall titles were awarded in each division to athletes competing in all three events.
This year’s national contest was hosted by the National Collegiate Water Ski Association and Bennett’s Water Ski and Wakeboard School.
Visit usawaterski.org for complete results.