Skiers from 16 different schools throughout the Midwest came to Decatur, IL on October 1-3rd ready to fight for a spot to ski at the 2021 Collegiate National Championships. The top 6 teams from Midwest Regionals secured a position to ski at nationals, hosted by Bennett’s Water Ski and Wakeboard School in Zachary, Louisiana from October 21st-23rd. Coming in 1st place this weekend was the University of Wisconsin – Madison, more than 1,000 points above 2nd place! This was an incredible win for their team, guaranteeing them a spot to ski D1. The other 15 teams did not go down without a fight. With over 200 skiers competing, the competition was tough.
Friday morning started with amazing conditions and a full day of slalom skiing! Coming in 1st place for the Women was Amanda Rose from Iowa State University with an incredible 92 buoys (2@35 off)! Freshman Sam Weber from the University of Nebraska took home 1st place for Men’s slalom afterwards with an impressive 99 buoys (3@35)! Neither of these two skiers slowed down when it came to other events, both taking 1st in tricks as well!! Amanda put a huge score on the board with 1750 points and Sam tricked a 1660-point run. Congrats to both skiers who also won overall for the Men and Women, meaning that they will be the captains for the Midwest region at Allstars in May!
Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning concluded with the final event, jump. These jumpers came ready to fly! Lots of personal bests were seen after hitting big red with tons of fist pumps being thrown. Matthew Duncan from Ohio State University went 120 feet putting him in 1st place for men’s jump! Freshman Elizabeth Ocallaghan from the University of Wisconsin – Madison booted a 73-foot jump taking home 1st place!
The top 6 teams automatically advance to nationals, while 7th, 8th, and 9th place will be placed in a wildcard drawing that takes place a week before nationals. Here are your top 9 teams!
- University of Wisconsin- Madison (D1)
- Ohio State University (D1)
- Miami of Ohio (D1)
- Purdue University (D1)
- University of Cincinnati
- University of Michigan
- Michigan State University (Wildcard)
- University of Wisconsin- La Crosse (Wildcard)
- Iowa State University (Wildcard)
- Grand Valley State University
- University of Nebraska
- University of Illinois
- Bowling Green State University
- Marquette University
- Southern Illinois University
- University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire
The wildcard was a few days ago and it was good results for the Midwest. All three teams that were put in the wildcard qualified and will be skiing nationals!
Lastly, the spirit was intense in the Midwest this weekend! Each year at this tournament, the officials vote on what team they think had the most spirit. This year’s spirit award winner was Iowa State! Iowa State carried every skier to the starting dock on a handmade throne! Stay tuned to see who takes the spirit award home at Nationals.
Big thanks to all the officials and everyone who came out to help put Midwest Regionals 2021 together. Until next year!
Watch the Syndicate Waterskis 2021 NCWSA Collegiate Nationals LIVE at ncwsa.com/webcast from October 21-23rd.
- Midwest Road to Bennett’s - October 19, 2021
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