Oct. 5, 2003
For Immediate Release
To: News Directors and News Editors
From: Veronika Avery, Media Coordinator, 342-5444

ULM'S WATER SKI TEAM ADVANCES TO NATIONALS

Despite light rain for most of the day on Sunday, the 2002 National Championship University of Louisiana at Monroe Water Ski Team scored big on the water as they competed for a spot in the 2003 national competition. ULM's overall team score put them in the top three in order to advance to nationals. The Indian's overall score trailed slightly behind the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. ULM's Ski Coach Bill Bagley said it was a great tournament, but it will be tight competition at nationals.

ULM hosted "Bayou Fest", the South Central Region Collegiate Water Ski Tournament, over the weekend. The top three scoring teams from this competition advance to division one collegiate nationals, which will be held in Austin, TX on Oct. 16-17.

Each event in a water ski tournament is scored individually, then team member scores are added up for a total team score in each event. Total team scores are then added together for overall scores for the tournament.

ULM's Ski Team received a second place ranking overall in the men's jump competition. Individually, ULM's Ryan Dodd came in first, with three other team members placing in the top ten: Federico Minelli, James Lefebvre, and Tyler McDermeit.

Women's slalom was the next event with ULM placing first. The Indians' Regina Jaquess placed first. Helping ULM put three other skiers the top five were Luisa Zettinig, Breanne Wagner, and Carley Clifton.

ULM placed first again in the women's trick division with Jaquess again placing in the top spot. Three other ULM skiers placed in the top five: Carly Clifton, Breanne Wagner, and Juanita Hernandez.

Men's Slalom was the last event of the tournament with ULM taking second place. The Indian's Thomas Degasperi held the top score with teammate Jason Hutchins ranking 5th. ULM's Josh Seale, Ryan Dodd and Matt Curmi all placed in the top ten.

Members of the ULM Water Ski Team are students Joey Blakley, Matt Curmi, Thomas Degasperi, Olivier Fortamps, Juanita Hernandez, Jason Hutchins, Renee Jaquess, Regina Jaquess, James Lefebvre, Tyler McDermeit, Frederico Minelli, Brooke Osis, and Josh Seale. Four new additions to the Water Ski Team this year are Ryan Dodd and Breanne Wagner, both from Canada, Louisa Zettinig from Austria, and Carli Clifton from Ohio.

-ulm-