On August 13-15, we participated in the Division 1 Show Ski nationals with the Webfooter Water Ski team. I'm very proud of our kids for there accomplishments and dedication to the sport.

On Thursday, Paris competed in the doubles competition with her partner Ben Romenesko. Ben and Paris are the first couple ever for the Webfooters to compete at the national level. This was also the first year that either of them competed in a doubles competition. So it was with great excitement that we waited through a 2 hour rain delay before the event began. 

Paris and Ben had the help of Quinn and Jared Gruetzmacher for a dance intro on the dock, Scott Mogensen driving, Janeen spotting and Daniel Romenesko spotting. The sun just came out as they were ready to perform which is always good to show off the costume glitter. Ben had just sewed on sequins the night before, so we wouldn't want them to be wasted on clouds.

They performed their routine to perfection and it was definitely their best routine. From their state performance, they added a back drape pose landing which would require good balance and precision pin polling.  The crowd was encouraging them on through out the whole routine. It was nice to hear so much support.

After the scores were all tallied, Ben and Paris finished 5th. Great job to all involved and can't wait until next year. Planning has already begun for next years routine.   www.mindworksphotography.com/pics/pics_bin/thumbnails.asp

Also on this day Quinn performed in the team jump. Quinn has progressed this year that he has been doing helicopters off the ramp and was included in the 3 man helicopter jump.

From state, the jump routine changed a little at the last minute. First over the jump was Kurt Berndt doing a single ski gainer which he nailed. Then over the jump was Quinn with Sam Benjamin and Preston Knapp, they nailed that jump too. Next over the jump was Sam Coenen, Tim Olsen and Mike Betz doing a double helicopter spin with a front flip, they nailed it too. The last sequence of jumps would be Troy Olsen, Rich Taugner and Bob Panter doing their 3 jumps in under a minute routine. Their first jump was flawless, the second jump had one ski come off, so they picked it up and then nailed the third jump. The crowd was excited with the Webfooter members yelling as loud as they could.   Matt Baumler was announcing the jump routine and there isn't a better announcer to work the crowd.

Jumpers can't do it all alone they need the help of the boat drivers and spotters. Thanks goes to Scott Mogensen, Janeen, Jonny Dietzen, Amy Gruetzmacher, Jim Woroniecki, Lon King, Rick Coenen, Heath Feavel, Bruce Lenoble and Chris Nielson III.

The jump team took 2nd in the Nation, just missing first by 3 points to Wonder Lake you did a 5 and 6 man front flips. Another first for the Webfooters and the Trumbowers. www.mindworksphotography.com/pics/pics_bin/thumbnails.asp

On Saturday, the whole team competed. We had a rough start with some unusual falls but we pulled it together and finished 4th in the Nation. Through out the show, the kids had individual accomplishment. Quinn's Around the Boat act took 5 boys around the boat with Quinn not even sinking past his ankles. This was a perfected maneuver which helped the team start turning our fortunes around.

Paris was in one of the hardest acts which has a pyramid pulling a pyramid, doubles couple(Paris) and pin wheel jump. Because of the jump, this is a high speed routine, which also increase the danger and difficulty. Another act performed to perfection and a first in a tournament.

So that leaves Sage. Sage is at the age where it can be difficult to find acts for her. She was in conventional doubles with Quinn and Dad was also in the same act. However, Sage learned to climb pyramids this year and was designated to climb in the ending pryamind. The ending pyramid was going to be 3 four high pyramid, another Webfooter first. Unfortunately one of the reminds leads broke the holding pin. Maybe it had to do with Dad being on the lead. :)  Anyway, we still had two and one of them was Sages. I've been watching Sage smile all they way up the last few weeks and this tournament wasn't any different. She climbed quickly and happily, holding that fourth tier all the way through the show course. A proud moment for her and us.

It was great weekend with friends, family and the sun.

Ben and Paris's routine,