5 Titles Won On Final Day Of Nationals

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Five athletes won national titles  as the 66th GOODE Water Ski National Championships, presented by Speedo, concluded on Aug. 16 at Okeeheelee Park. More than 800 water ski athletes from across the United States competed for national titles in slalom, tricks, jumping and overall in respective age divisions and two Open divisions during the five-day tournament.

National titles awarded on Saturday were: Men 3 slalom: Mike Ise (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.), 4 buoys at 39-1/2 feet off; Men 3 overall: Marc Shaw (Winter Park, Fla.), 3,373.0 points; Women 5 slalom: Cyndi Benzel (Groveland, Fla.), 1-1/2 buoys at 38 feet off; Women 5 overall: Leza Harrison (Chuluota, Fla.), 3,422.3 points; and Masters Men Slalom: Lucky Lowe (Lake Alfred, Fla.), ½-buoy at 41 feet off.

Among the highlights, Ise won the Men 3 national slalom title following a run-off with Chad Scott (Covington, La.). After both skiers tied with scores of 4 buoys at 39-1/2 feet off, Ise ran 3 buoys at 38 feet off to Scott’s 2-1/2 buoys at 38 feet off in the subsequent run-off.

Advancement to the Water Ski National Championships – the world’s largest 3-event water ski tournament – is primarily earned through placement on the national rankings list. Athletes also can qualify for Nationals by placing in the top-five at Regionals or by placing in the top-five at the previous year’s Nationals.