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October 16, 2006

ULM Water Ski Team wins National Championship

The ULM Water Ski Team won the National Collegiate Water Ski Association (NCWSA) National Championship Tournament hosted by Sacramento State University in Sacramento, Calif., on Oct. 14 with an overall team score of 12,040. A highlight was ULM skier Natallia Berdnikava’s record-breaking jump of 153 feet in Women’s Jump.

The ULM Water Ski Team has won the National Championships 19 times out of the 27 years it has been held. Last weekend’s success was a big one, said Treina Landrum, ULM director of Recreational Services and Water Ski Team Coach.

“We are elated to bring back another National Championship title to ULM. Our skiers have been skiing and training hard since they were young children to perform at such a high level. That intensity has continued into their collegiate skiing,” Landrum said.

ULM’s entire team performed well every day and established their overall lead early, Landrum said. High points included Berdnikava’s win in Women’s Jump with a record-breaking jump and Ryan Dodd’s tournament finale jump of 180 feet.

Landrum said, “I am very proud of every member of our team; they work hard and deserve to be National Champions. They demonstrate tremendous team cohesion and that is reflected in this victory. Equally important to me, is that we won with honor, displayed good sportsmanship at all times and proudly represented ULM.

ULL placed second with 11,670 while Florida Southern College came in at third with a score of 10,430. Placing fourth was Arizona State with an overall team score of 9,580; 5th was Sacramento State with 7,285; sixth was Purdue with 6,870; seventh was the University of Alabama with 6,655; 8th was the University of Wisconsin Madison with 5,495; 9th was the University of California San Diego with 5,035; 10th was the University of Illinois with 4,755, 11th was University of Texas with 3,185; and 12th was Auburn University with 2,350.

The ULM Water Ski Team wishes to thank the ULM students, faculty, staff, administration and business community for their continued support. Water skiers are also appreciative of the ULM Student Government Association and the ULM Campus Activities Board for providing the funds necessary to travel to this year’s National Championship Tournament.

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