The Shawano Ski Sharks came away with a trifecta at the 49th annual Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships in Wisconsin Rapids last week.
Dave Passehl was named the most outstanding male skier, Cody Siolka took second in the freestyle jump and the Ski Sharks placed third in the Division 3 team competition off Red Beach on Lake Wazeecha.
“When they called my name, I was shocked,” Passehl said. “There are certainly better skiers in the entire tournament than me.”
He later learned the judges took into account his work with the club’s learn-to-ski and adaptive water ski programs in selecting him for the Jack Lukes Memorial Award.
Siolka finished second in the freestyle jump for the third straight year, losing for the second time to professional skier Dan Olsen.
“Cody really puts himself out there, which is really dangerous to do,” said Passehl, the Ski Sharks’ president. “He has the ability to do flips and twists to get great points for the individual competition.”
Entering the competition, the Ski Sharks were enthusaistic about the development of the club’s ballet line, which finished fourth.
“The team really came together, especially the girls on the ballet line,” Siolka said. “It was the biggest ballet line in Ski Sharks history. They really shined out there.”
Eight-year member Elseana Panzer, 16, said the team scored well because they held the ski ropes with their toes and heels, which is more difficult than the between-the-legs hold.
“It was really exciting that we got those two tasks together and that we all made it,” Panzer said. “When you do in between the legs, all you do is put the rope in between the legs, and when you’re doing the other two, it requires a lot more balance.”
The team finished second in the pyramid, although two girls fell during the routine.
The Sharks also finished first in the jump, second in the high individual act, and third in both the pick-up boat and two-boat driving categories.
The Wisconsin Rapids Aqua Skiers finished first overall and the Waupaca-based Chain Skiers second in the Sharks’ division.
The Ski Sharks finished last in Division 2 last year, which moved them to Division 3 this year. With the showing in the 2015 championships, Passehl is confident the team is returning to the form that led to a state title in 2010.
“A championship run is not out of a question in the near future,” he said.
