ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - For the sixth year in a row, the Lake City Skiers are the Central Region Division II water ski show champions.
The competition was held in Rock Island, Ill., July 14-15.
The Warsaw-based team won first place with 1,422 points, according to show director Tracey Patrick. The team swept all categories, including ballet line, dock and equipment, sound, tow boat driving, pickup boat, jump and showmanship.
She said the team scored higher than two Division I teams did in their competition.
In individual competition, the jump team also placed first. The jump team includes Nick Wilson, Matt Barr, Matt Gudeman, Keagan Shriver, Jakim Wilson, Ben Rankin, Gary Hawblitzel, John Conley, Keaton Patrick and Rob Maskill.
"There's room for improvement," said Patrick of regional competition, "but there was rough water conditions" at regionals. "We did really well."
She said the team hopes to peak at nationals Aug. 4-5. The Lake City Skiers are hosting nationals this year on Hidden Lake, Ind. 15, behind Smith Tire, Warsaw. More than 500 athletes and their family members are expected to converge on Warsaw for the event.
The Lake City Skiers' next home show is Sunday at 5 p.m., and Tuesday at 6 p.m. on Hidden Lake. Their show theme this year is "Pirateology: A Pirate's Life from Ship to Shore."
In competitive show skiing, each club has one hour to present a theatrical performance on water skis. Judges score acts by awarding points based on originality, presentation and execution. Elaborate costumes and staging intermix with music and fast action on the water as an announcer leads the audience through the show.
