Carving Through Eternity...One Spray at a Time

BOOM! The 52nd Masters

2011-04-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

THE 52nd MASTERS ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF WEBSITE AND ADVANCE TICKETS

The Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament presented by Nautique announces the launch of the 52nd Masters website and advance ticket sales. From now through March 31st, Masters fans will have an opportunity to purchase special discounted pavilion tickets for the Masters. Daily pavilion tickets will be offered at 40% below onsite gate pricing.

The Masters will be held May 27 – 29, 2011 over the Memorial Day weekend at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA. For complete ticket and hotel information, please visit masterswaterski.com. For the first time Masters tickets are available to be purchased on-line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To order advance tickets via phone, please call 1-888-806-2783. Ticket office hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST.

“We are excited for this year’s Masters and happy to offer Masters fans the opportunity to purchase tickets on-line,” stated Nautique President/CEO Bill Yeargin. “This is a good opportunity for anyone who wants to be right there on top of the action; up close and personal with the world’s most elite athletes from around the world,” added Yeargin.

2010 Pull Up Count: 40,690

2010-12-29T18:26:00.000-08:00

AWSA Elite Status in Open Men Slalom

2010-07-16T21:19:00.001-07:00

Dear Tyler,

Your prowess as a competitive water skier has elevated you to a new pinnacle -- status as an AWSA Elite Skier, in the Open Men Division in Slalom, based on your Ranking today in the M1 Division. This is a significant achievement for which you should feel quite proud. Feel free to pat yourself on the back.

This reflects not only your athleticism, but your dedication to disciplined practice sessions and your participation at numerous tournaments. Please note that this credential is limited to the top 7% of the ranked Slalom skiers eligible for consideration as Open Men. Simply stated, this puts you in the company of AWSA's most outstanding water ski athletes.

Your next step: a number one ranking among these elite skiers. Again, my heartiest congratulations !

Gene Davis
President,
American Water Ski Association

2010 Big Dawg Slalom – Night Ski Challenge & Waterski Expo

2010-06-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 26th 2010

Watch 8 of the top Big Dawg competitors shoot it out in a head-to-head
night slalom tournament under the lights with lighted buoy balls.
10:15pm Fireworks Display and Waterski Demonstrations

Enjoy the Fireworks lakeside, put on by the Lakes of Katy property ownerswith
the final skiing demos under the lights!
11:00pm Gates close immediately after fireworks show ends

World Freestyle Barefoot Champion "Andre De Villiers" from South Africa will be here
50 of the top slalom ski athletes in the country will be here

A waterski show for ALL ages. Watch some of the world's most talented athletes show off their skills.

Watch top skiers go head-to-head
Win a chance to ride in the boat during the ski show
See extreme skiing up close and personal in a fun exciting atmosphere

51st Masters---www.masterslive.net

2010-06-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

Pine Mountain, GA (May 30, 2010) – Today’s conclusion of the 51st Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament® at Callaway Gardens brought two new Masters Champions to the forefront of the competition including Men’s Trick champion Herman Beliakou and inaugural WakeSkate champion Brandon Thomas as well as five competitors defending their 2009 titles!

In Women’s events, Nautique skier Whitney McClintock defended her title for the second year in Women’s Tricks with a score of 8340, Clementine Lucine, also a Nautique skier, finished second. McClintock also placed third in Women’s Slalom. Regina Jaquess dominated as the winner in Women’s Slalom with .5@39-off, June Fladborg defended her Women’s Jump title with a score of 174 feet and Nicola Butler was crowned for the second year in a row in Women’s Wakeboard with 81.67 points.

In the Men’s disciplines, William Asher defended his Masters title for the third consecutive year in Men’s Slalom. With the new tricks format, Herman Beliakou earned his first Masters title in Men’s Tricks. Freddy Krueger edged out Thomas Asher by 2 feet defending his multiple Men’s Jump titles. Phillip Soven earned his third Masters Wakeboard title out scoring his younger brother Bob Soven, who landed a heelside 900 off the double-up to earn the Roswell Double-Up award.

Nautique rider Brandon Thomas earned his first Masters title in WakeSkate, the inaugural year for this discipline. Thomas had two stand up passes landing a wake to wake big spin indy and a heelside 360 followed by a switch 360. This is Thomas’s first major win since he was crowned in all three events at the 2006 Byerly Toe Jam.

For complete up-to-date scores of the 51st Masters, please visit www.masterswaterski.com/standings/

Set To Announce Jr. U.S. Open

2009-05-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

2009 Jr. Us Open

2009 Jr. Us Open
Santa Fe, TX 5/30/2009 to 5/31/2009

USA Water Ski is pleased to announced that the ninth annual Junior U.S. Open Water Ski Championships, a two-round world record capability water ski competition, will be held May 30-31 at Lago Santa Fe in Santa Fe, Texas.
“We are pleased to announce that the Junior U.S. Open Water Ski Championships will be held in the Greater Houston area at Lago Santa Fe,” said Steve Locke, executive director of USA Water Ski. “We expect the highest level of competition from the world’s top junior water ski athletes.”

The Lago Santa Fe Water Ski Club will serve as the local organizing committee and host of the 2009 Junior U.S. Open Water Ski Championships. The event will feature Men and Women divisions (ages 17 to 21), in addition to Boys and Girls divisions (ages 16 and under). 38 athletes representing five continents are expected to compete for titles in slalom, tricks, jumping and overall.

Lago Santa Fe, a world record capability water ski site, has hosted several major tournaments in the past, including the 2002 and 2003 GOODE Water Ski National Championships and the 2002 and 2003 Overton’s U.S. Open Water Ski Championships. At the 2003 U.S. Open, U.S. athlete Jimmy Siemers set a then-world record in men’s jumping of 236 feet.

Skiers have lunch with ULM President

2009-03-30T13:38:00.000-07:00

2008 Ski Team Video

2009-03-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

ULM Water Ski Team wins 21st national championship

2008-10-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

University of Louisiana Monroe Water Ski Team triumphed Oct. 16-18, winning its 21st national championship title at the National Collegiate Water Ski Association’s 30th National Championship Tournament, held this year in Chandler, Ariz.

The ULM Water Ski Team has won 21 of the 30 years the competition has been held. This is the third consecutive year for the Division 1 Team Overall title. Twenty-two teams from across the nation competed in the NCWSA National Championship Tournament, demonstrating some of the best of collegiate skiing.

The ULM team won the tournament by a solid 530 points, dominating with an overall point total of 12,360. This score is determined by 30 different ski performances over three days, with skiing starting at 7 a.m. and continuing until 6 p.m.

The performances seen at the National Championship Tournament are the culmination of the team developing a rhythm that allows them to move together well, develop a positive team dynamic and facilitate strong performances, according to Treina Landrum, ULM Water Ski Team coach and director of Recreational Services. “ULM Skiers set the standard for outstanding team performance in all three events: slalom, trick and jump. We were the team to watch in skiing, school spirit and good sportsmanship.

“This victory is a group effort; you win as a team or you lose as a team, no one performance determines the outcome. We were proud to wear our Homecoming shirts on the last day of the tournament. Everyone knows who the ULM Water Skiers are - they are the team that is skiing well, having the best time, supporting the other competitors, and holding that championship trophy.”

ULM team members placed in the top five in several categories, making them members of the All American team in those events.

The men’s team won first in the slalom and tricks categories and second in jumping, winning second place overall. In men’s slalom, Daniel Odvarko (Czech Republic) finished first, scoring two-and-a-half buoys at 39.5 feet off; Adam Sedlmajer (Czech Republic) finished second; and Martin Bartalsky (Slovakia) tied for fifth. In men’s tricks, Sedlmajer scored a first place victory, tallying 5,370 points; Odvarko tied for fourth. Overall, Sedlmajer won second place in the men’s portion.

The women’s team won first in the women’s slalom competition; Kate Adriaensen (Belgium) placed third and Karen Stevens (Canada) tied for fourth. In women’s tricks, ULM scored a first place victory; Adriaensen individually won third place. In women’s jumping, the team tied for second; Adriaensen earned a fourth place win. In the Division 1 women’s category, Adriaensen won second place and Stevens fifth, as individuals. The women’s team won second place overall.

The team's anniversary will be celebrated Oct. 25, marking the 30th year of water skiing at ULM. The team will host a reunion, as well as a ski show on Bayou DeSiard by the Alumni Center from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to see this performance given by ULM's water ski champions.

More about the ULM Water Ski Team:
The ULM Water Ski Team competes in the National Collegiate Water Ski Association South Central Region.

Members of the ULM Water Ski Team this fall are:

Women’s Team:

Kate Adriaensen - Belgium

Brittany Collins – Murray, Ky

Emily Darwin - Shreveport

Tatiana Hernandez - Colombia

Barbora Kolesarova - Slovakia

Carly Marquess – Paducah, Ky

Tina Rauchenwald - Austria

Karen Stevens - Canada

Men’s Team:

Martin Bartalsky - Slovakia

Tyler Boyd – Houston, Texas

Kyle Dammann – Lynchberg, Tenn.

Daniel Odvarko - Czech Republic

Robbie Paterson - Canada

Andres Pombo - Colombia

Adam Sedlmajer - Czech Republic

2008 NCWSA Season

2008-08-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it is that time of the year again. Everyone is back in school and the first events are just weeks away. We have a number of new schools, a 22 team Nationals, a World Championships to defend, and much much more. Will ULM win its 21st title, will ASU or Alabama move into the mix again. All this and much much more to come, stay tuned to NCWSA.com as it gets more active and keeps you informed on whats happening in the NCWSA world.

Scheduled To Compete At The Fayetteville Night JAM

2008-07-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

Fayetteville Night JAM

A water sports show & exhibition consisting of wake skating, wake surfing, wake board, short board, & head to head slalom skiing will be performed under the lights at the Cedar Creek Water Ski Park. There will be food, live music, and kids activities all happening on site. This will be in an up close and exciting format.The spectating areas are close to the riders and skiers.

For year trick skiers and wake boarders have rivaled each other in separate events. At the Night JAM we will be pitting them against one another in the Short Board vs Wakeboard JAM. The winner will take home the cash!

The top eight qualifiers from the South Central Region will compete in a head to head slalom event. This will be a cross divisional competition with open vs amateur, and men vs women competition. Two boats will be on the water pulling this event. The skiers will start at the same rope length and each attempt a full pass thru the slalom course until someone misses their attempt. This will be a bracketed event with the winners skiing three times to determine the Fayetteville Night JAM champion and take home the cash!

Come out to see the industries best inboard towboats for Beaver Lake or your favorite secret watering hole. There will also be vendor tents with great deals on apparel and gear. The whole family can enjoy this event together or make it a date night Saturday August 2nd!

Admission is $10 per car.

All admission proceeds benefit Restore Humanity

Colorado Clinic A Success!

2008-07-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank the Jelden’s and everyone else involved in the clinic!

A special thanks to these students who participated-

Karah Hocking
Katrina Hocking
Kaelie Hocking
CJ Reynolds
Ashley Combs
Kiani Vogt
Karli Jelden
Shea Gilkenson
Sean Kulig
Paul Kulig

Shaping The Youth Of Today So We Have An Example For Tomorrow

Mission Malawi

2008-06-17T14:07:00.000-07:00

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine upon us, that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You. May the Nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth.”
-Psalm 67:1-7

Princeton Clinic: Huge Success!

2008-06-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

After two days of intense training the clinic witnessed many personal performance improvements.

Thanks to all the students who participated in the clinic-

• Krista Butterfield
• Lindsay Abel
• Kevin Malak
• Jack Peterson
• James Peterson
• Juliana Myrick
• Alexa Armour
• Nikki Armour
• Justin Bertleson
• Jack Peterson
• Harry Feldman
• Ryan Bridgford
• Shea Malouf
• Hannah Fielding
• Kat Warner
• Ryan Warner
• Stevie Island

A special thanks to the Fielding’s, boat drivers and boat contributors.

Shaping The Youth Of Today So We Have An Example For Tomorrow

Rulers Of The Bayou

2008-06-09T12:23:00.001-07:00

It’s a definite dynasty. ULM’s water ski team has captured the national title-again. In an October competition, the Warhawk skiers won the championship for the 20th time in the 28-year history of the National College Water Ski Association.
“No one else in the country can compare,” says Tyler Collins, team co-captain and a senior aviation major from Murray, Kentucky. “ULM is right on the bayou. I can ski and walk to class with wet shorts five minutes away. It’s unbelievable.”

But skiing isn’t the most important thing team members, says Tyler Boyd, a graduate student in political communications and former college football player from Houston, Texas, Texas, who is team co-captain with Collins.
“ULM cares about student-athletes as people first and athletes second,” Boyd says. We want them to do well at their sport but excel at whatever they’re doing academically.”

Boyd plans to go into public service of some sort, perhaps in the military or a domestic political post. “Most people come to college with a dream to be somebody and that’s what we want them to be,” he says. “National Championships end- you have the ring on your finger or the trophy on the wall. But an education is forever.”

ULM Water Ski Alumni Chapter

2008-05-14T09:48:00.000-07:00

The ULM Alumni Association is in the process of organizing a ULM Water Ski Alumni Chapter. There are a total of 161 alumni of the ski team, which boasts the most storied record in collegiate water ski history, capturing 20 National Championship titles in the 28 year history of the National Collegiate Water Ski Association. It goes beyond that.....in the eight years that ULM did not win a national title, they placed second seven times and third only once.

In order to get the ski team alumni chapter initiated, the Alumni Relations Office is requesting that all ULM ski team alumnus register online at www.ulm.edu/alumni and UPDATE YOUR ULM INFORMATION. The online update form contains a section which asks you to list any group you were a member of while at ULM....please type in WATER SKI TEAM and the years that you were a member of the team.

If you earned at least 24 hours at ULM, you are eligible to be added to the ski team database.
The first ULM WATER SKI TEAM ALUMNI REUNION is scheduled next October 25th on the Bayou Desiard...which just happens to be one week after the NCWSA National Championships

National political strategist James Carville imparts advice to ULM students

2008-04-08T06:37:00.000-07:00

James Carville, the chief campaign strategist for Clinton/Gore in 1992 and a ULM Presidential Lyceum Series speaker, met with ULM students in their American National Politics class at 10 a.m. in Stubbs Hall, Thursday, April 3.

An animated James Carville answers questions while political science professor John Sutherlin and Tyler Boyd listen.

Carville imparted important professional advice to the students, chiefly that the "essence of good communication constitutes a narrative that people can build on."

That aspect of communication bleeds over to running for political office. Carville identified the single most imperative element a candidate must possess as being "a reason"—a simple, relevant, repetitive reason.

The distinguished speaker pointed out that every narrative—including political speeches—in the entire scope of human history involves setup, conflict, and resolution.

Combining his various points, he mentioned that, "The better communicators at whatever they do take a simple, relevant, repetitive message that can be reduced to a narrative," and one that the general audience can understand and relate to. "If you can execute that, you'll do fine."

The classroom participants then engaged Carville in a question and answer session, initiated by professor Dr. Kevin Unter, who opened with a query about how to get a message to stand out from the cacophony of communication typically bombarding the public.

Carville reiterated his earlier advice about speeches but emphasized that, "I believe if you're going to be a great leader that everyone needs to understand what you're going to do. There should be no secret meetings. Just remember what you're trying to communicate."

When Tyler Boyd(ULM Student)queried what made former President Ronald Reagan such a "gifted speaker", Carville replied that, "He was great because he communicated his whole life as an actor. He communicated something, and he didn't do it in fancy or eloquent ways—he did it in a way that people could understand."

The guest speaker lent his political expertise to insights concerning the current candidates for president, responding to a question from ULM student Kevin Ballard of Columbia regarding when the official Democratic candidate would emerge. After some political speculation, he reminded the audience that, "Being president is difficult. You have to deal with a lot of people with their own interests, outflank them, and out skill them. The nature of being a Democrat is not to be rude to anyone—communicate."

He examined the possibility that the political arena was ripe for the emergence of a third political party capable of speaking to both the economically and socially unsatisfied.

After political science major Britney Council of Maryland asked how much the new president would be able to effect change, Carville replied that, "I think change is going to be forced on the next president." The question might be whether the new president initiates or instead manages the changes that are coming.

Carville instructed the students that concerning whoever won the Democratic primary, it would be critical for the winner to treat their competition graciously, hopefully combining vying Democratic factions into a unified force. He mentioned that the current political climate is fueling interest in a wider range of voters, concerned that the country is losing something, and who want to play a part in its successful future.

Audience member and ULM President James Cofer asked about the importance of higher education to the candidates.

Carville acknowledged that higher education is a strategic resource for the United States, pointing out that there is no better source for graduate degrees, and that though higher education was competing against many others for available dollars, supporting it can only lead to amazing results.

He recalled that in what he considered the United States' darkest Year—1862—Rep. Justin Smith Morrill saw his Morrill Act signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, which enabled the creation of agricultural colleges. In the middle of national turmoil, Carville said, "It was decided the darkness, let's light one stupid candle." That candle, higher education, generated a more stable future in uncertain times.

Retaining his audience's attention until the last moment of class, Carville thanked them for their time. He appeared to a sold-out audience this evening at 7 p.m. in Brown Auditorium with his spouse Mary Matalin, former assistant to President Bush and counselor to Vice-President Cheney.

The Lyceum Series, which began in 2003 under Cofer's direction, promotes intellectual exchange among ULM faculty, staff, students, and the community.

2007 Video Released

2008-03-01T13:42:00.000-08:00

OLD Bethany Article Found

2008-02-23T17:10:00.001-08:00

Bethany News

BETHANY BESTOWS SENIOR RESPECT AWARD ON STREIT, BOYD

Aubrey Streit and Tyler Boyd

LINDSBORG, Kan.—Aubrey Streit and Tyler Boyd are the 2006 recipients of the Bethany College Spencer Bartlett Senior Respect Awards.

The winners were announced at the recent Bethany College academic honors banquet. Streit and Boyd received bachelor’s from Bethany College May 21.

Streit is the daughter of Gary and Janelle Streit, Tipton, Kan. She majored in English and communication.

Streit has been an active leader in the Bethany community. She has been a member and leader of a women’s Bible study, co-editor of the student newspaper, student representative on the Bethany Board of Directors, contributor to Bethany Magazine, trombonist in the Bethany symphonic and jazz bands, vice-president of the Bethany College Ambassadors, and a student accompanist for the music department. On campus Streit also has volunteered with the Alternative Gift Market, Knit Wits and Student Congress.

Academically, Streit was a member of the Dean’s Honor Roll every semester at Bethany, and graduated with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. She was a member of the scholastic honorary Gold Key and the English honorary Lambda Iota Tau.

In addition to her double major and many volunteer roles, in January Streit interned for The Land Institute in Salina, Kan. Her duties included writing an essay for the institute’s Prairie Writers Circle. Her essay has since been published by newspapers across the country.

Next year Streit will teach English in Slovakia as part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Global Mission program.

Boyd is the son of Tom and Trudi Boyd, Tomball, Texas. He majored in communication and religion.

Academically, Boyd was named to the Bethany Dean’s Honor Roll and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. He graduated with a double major in three years.

Boyd was a three-year member of the football team and this year served as a team captain. He also was both a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Academic All-American and Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Academic All-American.

Elsewhere on campus Boyd was active in campus ministry. He served as president of Alpha Omega, a men’s bible study group; a worship leader for Campus Wide Ministry; and a Campus Ministry Coordinators board member. Boyd also was sophomore class vice-president and a Bethany College resident assistant.

Boyd plans to study communication at the graduate level. A world-ranked water-skier, he also coaches at his own water-ski school.

The Spencer Bartlett Senior Respect Awards are presented each year to the graduating man and woman who best exemplify the following qualities: the greatest respect for God, for the United States of America and for their fellow citizens. The awards are given in memory of Caleb Hall, Vera Hall Bartlett and Spencer Bartlett.

Each year nominations for the awards are gathered from faculty, staff and administration. A selection committee, comprised of the campus pastor, two members of the faculty and two students appointed by Student Congress, makes the final selection. Winners receive a cash award and a certificate, and their names are added to a plaque on display in Presser Hall lobby.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service.

2006 Video Now Available

2008-02-21T05:56:00.000-08:00

West Monroe Boat Show 2008

2008-02-05T14:45:00.000-08:00

The ULM Water Ski Team will proudly practice and compete with a new, state-of-the-art maroon and gold 2008 Mastercraft Prostar 197 Water Ski Boat, thanks again to its generous, longstanding partner, Gus Campbell, owner of Gus Campbell Water Sports and Boating Center

ULM Water Ski Team Coach Treina Landrum said, "We will be skiing with an exceptional boat, the nicest we have ever had. We are very excited about working with Gus Campbell; he is part of our local business community and was one of the charter members of the first water ski team on [our] campus."

The ULM Water Ski Team holds the current national championship title. The team holds 20 National Collegiate Water Ski Association Championship titles.

ULM Ski Team Makes Appearance at Mardi Gras Ball

2008-02-04T10:45:00.000-08:00

Experience Mardi Gras in style, as the ULM Student Government Association hosts the Sixth Annual Mardi Gras Ball Thursday, Jan. 31 from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. in the Student Union Building Ballroom.

This year's formal, masked ball will feature a royal court, complete with king and queen. Men are required to wear a tux/suit and tie, and ladies need formal eveningwear. Everyone needs a mask, and students are encouraged to be artistic and creative. The SGA will hand out simple black masks at the door.

Entertainment includes jazz music for faculty and staff from 8 – 9 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres will be served, and the focus will be on faculty, staff and court revelry.

All guests are encouraged to see the court and royalty presentation at 9 p.m. A standing buffet will follow. DJ Trevor Land will oversee the music until 1 a.m.

Tickets for ULM students with I.D. are free and available in the SGA lobby on a first come, first served basis. They are $10 for faculty and staff with ID. Tickets are $10 for all guests. For more information, contact Joseph Beard or Hannah Livingston at: (318) 342-3485.

Profile of a Waterski Coach

2007-11-09T10:36:00.000-08:00

On most any summer day at The Lakes at Cypress Hill you can find 22 year old Tyler Boyd on the water coaching kids from the neighborhood. Tyler has been coaching a total of six summers, three at his home site. Tyler started coaching at Mueller’s Ski Center located in Houston, Texas under the supervision of Charles Mueller his ski coach and mentor. For the past three summers at Cypress, Tyler has coached and enjoyed helping his students improve their skills on the water and to prepare for the upcoming ski season. In the summer of 2006 he was also invited to coach the Colorado Junior Development Camp at Laku Landing in Windsor, Colorado. Off the water Tyler coached the Tomball High School 5A varsity football team in their 7 on 7 summer games. Once a week you will also find Tyler volunteering his time to help out with teenagers in the Young Life organization.

Tyler Boyd started skiing at the age of five and entered his first Nationals at age seven. He is a four time National champion, has twenty-one Regional titles, and is a former Regional record holder and two-time alternate for the United States Junior Water Ski Team. Tyler graduated in May 2006 after three years at Bethany College with a double major in Communication and Christian Ministry. Tyler was awarded the 2005 NAIA Football All-American Scholar-Athlete and KCAC Academic All Conference Award in football as a Bethany Swede quarterback #15.
Presently Tyler is attending The University of Louisiana at Monroe studying Communication in the graduate program and skiing for the ULM ski team.

Tyler’s enthusiasm and light-hearted spirit make everyday on the lake exciting. For example when students have a personal best day they are rewarded by skiing at 35 off to see who can make the most buoys and take the best crashes! He does have a serious side though when it comes to competition and encouraging his students to focus on improving their skiing. When asked why he coaches he answers with a smile,” The kids are great and I just love it!”

Tyler would like to give a special thanks to all his students:
Texas:
Mark Ay, Rick Ay, Alex Barker, Lisa Barker, Jessica Birdwell, Garrett Karber, Lauren Jimmerson, Trey Jimmerson, Marilyn Kohut, Scott McCormick, Madeline Pierce, Matthew Pierce, Jacob Sacket, William Stevenson, Donovan Waltjer, Ricky Kingham.
Colorado:Laku Tournament Water Ski Club: Ashley Combs, Shea Gilkenson, Karah Hocking, Katrina Hocking, Kaelie Jelden, Karli Jelden Kolten Jelden; Denver Water Ski Club: Sam Speak Lake Mirage Water Ski Club: Kiani Vogt Non affiliated Clubs: Paul Kulig, Sean Kulig, CJ Reynolds, Austin Waterman

USA Water Ski Awards ULM Water Ski

2007-11-09T10:32:00.000-08:00

USA Water Ski has selected the ULM Water Ski Team as Team of the Month (October), making it eligible for the United States Olympic Committee’s Team of the Month honors.The honor came right on the heels of the ski team’s 20th national championship victory (also its second consecutive) at the 29th Collegiate Water Ski Association National Championship Tournament, held at Bennett’s Water Ski and Wakeboard School in Zachary Oct. 25 - 27. The team finished with a total of 12,860 points, while three members combined to win six individual titles. Members of the team were: Martin Bartalsky, Natallia Berdnikava, Tyler Boyd, Brittany Collins, Tyler Collins, Kyle Dammann, Tatiana Hernandez, Carly Marquess, Daniel Odvarko, Adam Sedlmajer, Karen Stevens and Aliaksei Zharnasek.Zharnasek, Berdnikava and Sedlmajer each earned individual titles. Berdnikava won women’s slalom (2 buoys at 38 feet off), tricks (4,190points), jumping (146 feet) and overall (1,750.0 points); Zharnasek won men’s tricks (6,560 points); and Sedlmajer won men’s overall (1,740.0 points).

ULM Water Ski Team wins 20th national

2007-11-09T10:30:00.000-08:00

The ULM Water Ski Team triumphed, scoring its 20th national championship in the 2007 National Collegiate Water Ski Association National Championship Tournament at Bennett’s Water Ski and Wakeboard School in Zachary Oct. 25 – 27.

Men's Team
Kyle Dammann, Aliaksei Zharnasek, Tyler Collins, Tyler Boyd, Daniel Odvarko, Adam Sedlmajer, Martin Bartalsky

Women's Team
Tatiana Hernandez, Karen Stevens, Carly Marquess, Brittany Collins, Natallia Berdnikava, Treina Landrum (coach)

The ULM Water Ski Team is the current national champion and now holds 20 NCWSA titles; winning 20 of the 28 years the competition has been held. This is the second consecutive year for the Division 1 Team Overall title.The ULM team dominated with an overall point total of 12,860; the University of Louisiana at Lafayette came in second with 12,350, and Arizona State won third with 12,060 points. Twenty-eight teams from across the nation competed in the NCWSA National Championship Tournament, demonstrating some of the best of collegiate skiing. ULM team members placed in the top five in every category, making them members of the All American team in each event. ULM finished first in all three men’s events. In men’s slalom, Adam Seldmajer (Prague, Czech Republic) finished third, and Aliaksei Zharnasek (Novopolotsk, Belarus) tied for fifth. In men’s tricks, Zharnasek scored a first-place victory, while Sedlmajer came in second. In men’s jumping, Sedlmajer won third place, and Martin Bartalsky (Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia) won fourth. Overall, Sedlmajer won first place in the men’s portion, and Bartalsky won fourth.The women’s team won first place, overall. The team tied for first in the women’s slalom competition; Natallia Berdnikava (Novopolotsk, Belarus) placed first, Tatiana Hernandez (Bogota, Colombia) second, and Karen Stevens (Morrisburg, Canada) third. In women’s tricks, ULM scored a first-place victory, with Berdnikava earning a clear first-place win. In women’s jumping, the team earned second place; Berdnikava won first place again. In the Division 1 women’s category, Berdinakava won first place, Stevens fourth, and Hernandez fifth. Treina Landrum, Water Ski Team coach and director of Recreational Services, said, “We had an outstanding performance from our freshman in this competition. It is exceptional for young skiers to make All American in their first year.”Concerning the All American team ranking, ULM is first in Division 1 with a combined total of 10,630 points after five events. Berdnikava is team captain for the women. Landrum issued her personal appreciation. “The ULM Water Ski Team wishes to thank the ULM students, faculty/staff, administration and business community for their continued support. A special thanks goes to the ULM Student Government Association, the ULM Campus Activities Board and Gus Campbell WaterSports and Boating Center for their continued generous support. Go Warhawks!” For information about the ULM Water Ski Team, contact Landrum at (318) 342-5313 or go to the team’s website at http://www.ulmwaterski.com/

ULM Water Ski Team to Compete In National Championship Tournament

2007-11-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

The ULM Water Ski Team will be competing in the 2007 NCWSA (National Collegiate Water Ski Association) National Championship Tournament held in Zachary, Louisiana at BennettsWater Ski and Wakeboard School. The ULM Water Ski Team is the current National Champion and holds 19 NCWSA Titles; winning 19 of the 27 years the competition has been held.
“It will be great to compete for our 20th National Championship title in our home state of Louisiana. We are inviting ULM Students and Alumni to come to the tournament to support us and see some fantastic skiing”, said Treina Landrum, ULM Director of Recreational Services and Water Ski Team Coach.
ULM has had a strong Fall Season of skiing. The ULM Water Ski Team won the UT Fall Classic and their home tournament – The 2007 Bayou Classic. ULM came in a close second to ULL at the South Central Regional Tournament held in Fayetteville, Arkansas September 29-30, 2007. “Nationals will be a tough competition as always. The team has worked hard and we are ready” said Landrum.
Twenty eight teams from across the nation compete in the NCWSA National Championship Tournament. The three day tournament starts on October 25, 2007 at 7:00 am. The tournament will conclude on Saturday, October 27, 2007. Spectators will have the opportunity to see the best of collegiate skiing. For more information about the competition go to Bennetts website at http://www.skibennetts.com/ .
The ULM Water Ski Team wishes to thank the ULM Students, Faculty/Staff, Administration and Business Community for their continued support. A special thanks goes to the ULM Student Government Association (SGA), the ULM Campus Activities Board (CAB) and Gus Campbell WaterSports and Boating Center for their continued generous support. Go Warhawks

ULM Water Ski Team Members Return From World and National Competitions With Medals

2007-11-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

ULM Water Ski Team Members Return From World and National Competitions With Medals
Results are in from the World Championships and the U.S. Open in Florida—the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Water Ski Team will keep its long tradition of having world-class champions on its roster. Past and present team members performed very well at both events, bringing home medals and international acclaim.At the 2007 Water Ski World Championships in Linz, Austria Aug. 28 – Sept. 2, Ryan Dodd (Olds, Alberta, Canada) placed fourth in men’s jump; Natalia Berdnikova (Novopolotsk, Belarus) placed second in women’s trick, earning the silver medal, and third in women’s jump, earning the bronze; Aliaksei Zharnasek placed second in men’s trick, earning the silver medal.Former ULM Water Ski Team member Thomas Degasperi (who graduated last year) placed first in men’s slalom, winning the gold medal, and another alum, Freddy Krueger, won the gold medal in men’s jump.“It’s an Olympic-scale event for water ski competitions,” said Treina Landrum, the team’s coach and director of Recreational Services. “More than 120 athletes competed from at least 40 countries, each of which selects its best representatives to send to the world championships.”Other current and former ULM skiers participating were: Martin Bartalsky (Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia), Adam Sedlmajer (Prague, Czech Republic), Regina Jaquess (U.S.), and Breanne Wagner (Canada). According to the International Water Ski Federation World Cup Web site, “Slalom, tricks and jumping are the three events of traditional water skiing that make up the oldest and most original discipline of water skiing…International water ski competitions have been held since 1949 with the first World Championships in Juan-les-Pins, France. The World Championships are held every two years.” Age does not determine what categories participants compete in—it’s all about skill, Landrum explained. The ULM team members work on their skiing year-round. The competitive skiing season is collegiate in the fall and spring; otherwise they compete for their countries at tournaments in the intervening time. “It’s pretty amazing to have so many skiers at the Olympics of waterskiing also be on the ULM team, and have achieved that high a level as athletes,” Landrum said. ULM team members also accounted very well for themselves at the 20th U.S. Open Water Ski Championships in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Sept. 13 – 15.“All of the finals in that tournament were held on the Disney property with thousands of people watching,” Landrum said. “All of the best professional water skiers are invited, regardless of age and nationalities. You have to qualify to get into the preliminaries—it’s very elite. It was very gratifying to have such a large audience and have so many people on my team do so well.”Zharnasek placed first in men’s trick, Berdnikova won second place in women’s jump, and Dodd won second place in men’s jump. Alumnus Krueger won third place in that event.According to www.usolympicteam.com the official site of the U.S. Olympic Team, “in its 20th year, the U.S. Open attracted more than 75 of the world’s top water ski athletes from more than a dozen countries. It has long been considered the most prestigious tournament in three-event water skiing. Male and female athletes competed for titles in slalom, tricks and jumping. Athletes competing in all three events were eligible for the coveted U.S. Open overall title.”

Members of the ULM Water Ski Team this fall are:

Women’s Team
Berdnikava, Natallia Novopolotsk, Belarus
Collins, Brittany Murray, Ky.
Hernandez, Tatiana Bogota, Columbia
Marquess, Carly Paducah, Ky.
Stevens, Karen Morrisburg, Canada

Men’s Team
Bartalsky, Martin Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia
Boyd, Tyler Houston, Texas
Collins, Tyler Murray, Ky.
Dammann, Kyle Lynchberg, Tenn.
Odvarko, Daniel Prague, Czech Republic
Sedlmajer, Adam Prague, Czech Republic
Zharnasek, Aleksei Novopolotsk, Belarus

“We have a great lineup of skiers,” said Landrum. “People really enjoy the spectacular skiing they see from our team. The university is very proud to have such a wonderful group of world class athletes.” Landrum sees this reflected in sponsorships from ULM groups like the Campus Activities Board and the Student Government Association, as well as in community ones like Gus Campbell Water Sports and Boating Center and the Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Their support is vastly appreciated—we could not do this without them.”
The team will compete Sept. 29 – 30 in the South Central Region's Championship at Cedar Creek Ski Park in Elkins, Ark., hosted by the University of Arkansas.