A strong 43-member team of performers, ages 7 through 51, made area residents proud at the Wisconsin State Show Ski Tournament recently held at Lake Wazeecha near Wisconsin Rapids.
The Lauderdale Aqua Skiers placed sixth out of 14 teams in Division 2, and several individual members of the team earned top honors.
According to this year’s team show director, Lauren Diehl-Mueller, “The Wisconsin State Show Ski Tournament is the largest water ski tournament in the world – four days of skiing showcasing 27 show teams from throughout the state. Wisconsin is known as the Show Ski Capitol of the World.”
Team members Luke Twelmeyer and Megan Leahy won most original act of the D2 tournament for their slalom hop dock strap doubles start.
Caitlin Leahy won The Most Outstanding Female Skier award for D2 Tournament. The LAS ballet line – made up of 12 members – was the highest scoring act for the LAS team at tournament.
“Many people are under the impression that you have to live on the lake, own a boat or be a great skier to participate with the Lauderdale Aqua Skiers,” continued Diehl-Mueller, “but that just isn’t true. We have 31 skiers on our team this year – 13 guys and 18 females. We only have two skiers in their 20s. Most of our team is under the age of 19 – 13 of whom are from the Elkhorn Area School District.
“I am so proud of all the members of the LAS team this year – those members who ski, our great boat drivers and spotters and those members who help behind the scenes. Finishing sixth out of 14 Division 2 teams is quite a feat for a small, family-orientated team like ours.”
EAHS junior MacKenzie Rhyan will be competing in the Show Ski Swivel individual competition in Rock Island, Ill., in the 12th Division 2 Show Ski National Championships.
The Lauderdale Aqua Skiers have been entertaining audiences for more than 50 years. Free tournament exhibitions can be seen every Saturday (except tournament weekends) Memorial Day through Labor Day at 6 p.m. in Don Jean Bay.
For more information on the Lauderdale Aqua Skiers, contact team president, Jonny Krubert at [email protected] or Show Director Lauren Diehl-Mueller at [email protected].
