UC water ski team honored at banquet

They conquered their conference.  They came in fourth at regionals and won the national championship for Division-II.  Now, the University of Cincinnati water ski team is collegiate team of the year.

On Saturday, five members of the UC water ski team drove down to Winter Haven, Fla. to accept the award for being the best collegiate team, presented by the National Collegiate Water Ski Association. 

“We were down there and they had everybody from across the country … wakeboarding, show skiing, the entire AWSA, American Water Ski Association, was there,” said Brad Ruff, newly appointed president of the team. 

The AWSA gave away 30 to 40 trophies, Ruff said, and the team snagged the only team trophy.  The team was honored at a banquet where they met and mingled with some of the best skiers throughout the nation. 

“Afterwards we went out bowling with other kids and other members of the NCWSA board,” Ruff said. 

Ruff said the banquet was a great way for him and his team to see what other skiers are out there and to meet the competition they will face in years to come. 

For former president Pat Ewald, being honored as team of the year is icing on the cake. 

“The win at nationals was more than enough for us as a team, but then to learn that we won the team of the year award was just amazing.”

Throughout their journey, the team was constantly referred to as the surprise team from Cincinnati, and they even surprised themselves. 

At nationals, Ruff came in sixth place in the jump event with a jump of 100 feet.  During the women’s trick event, freshman Kacy Clifton set a new record for the university with a run of 890 points.  Chris van Treese, the team’s top trick skier scored 1,700 points, placing first.  With their hard work, the team was able to place first and beat their rivals, the Michigan Wolverines by less than 100 points.

Ewald was not able to attend the banquet but was at nationals and even helped keep the team in first place on the second day of competition with his slalom run. 

Ewald saw the team grow from recreational skiers to serious athletes. 

“There has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears that went into getting this team where we are now.” 

While in Florida, the five skiers visited Lucky Lowe.  Lowe is a retired water ski professional and according to Ruff, he’s one of the best.

Lowe gave the skiers lessons to help them prepare to defend their title and to help them achieve their goal of reaching Division-1. 

“We want to make it back to nationals,” said Ruff.  “We either want to win D-II again or try to qualify for D-I.”

To qualify for Division-I, the team would have to come in third place at regionals said head coach, Greg Kuenning.

Kuenning hopes that one day the team will be able to not only make it to Division-I, but also step up on recruiting.  With an increase in recruiting, said Keunning, the team would be able to increase fundraising and ultimately be able to award scholarships to deserving skiers. 

Ewald wants to keep the spirit high and the ball rolling. 

“With our win at nationals and the team of the year award, we put the UC water ski team on the national map,” said Ewald.  “People know who we are now and have high expectations of the team’s performance.”

The team plans to keep persevering and to increase recruiting and funds.  With the help of local bar Top Cats, every Thursday the skiing Bearcats have a fundraiser, which allows them to have some fun after a tough year and to keep celebrating their win.

“It just reinforced to us all that all our hard work and dedication throughout the year paid off in every way imaginable,” Ewald said.  “We can’t ask for anymore success, because we pretty much cleaned up this year with all the awards and trophies.”