Water Ski Club gears up for National Championships at Lake Natomas

Fun, sun, and high hopes have the Sac State Water Ski Club geared up for the 1999 College Nationals to be held at Shortline Lake in Elk Grove.

The squad is one of the America’s best and national records may be in jeopardy when these Hornets take to the water.

“This is one of the strongest teams we have ever had,” coach Brian Dulgar said. “It is full of regional, national, and even world champions.”

A second place overall showing at the Western Conference Championships has allowed the team a chance to strut its stuff at the upcoming Nationals. The Hornet men dominated the slalom and jump events, placing first overall while beating conference rivals Arizona State. The lady Hornets also turned in a superior effort, placing second in slalom and finishing third overall.

The men’s team, led by Terry Winter and Jamie Beaushesne, has a chance to break records. Winter, a Junior World Champion, placed first overall at the Western Conference Championships, narrowly missing the conference record with his jump of 167 feet. Winter and the rest of the team expect a similar showing this weekend.

The National Championship is the premiere water ski competition of the 1999 season and the team is looking to dominate. Sac State will be up against 12 teams from across the nation including Michigan State, Purdue, Auburn, and Clemson as well as the top ranked Arizona State Sundevils.

The tournament kicks off Thursday with the men’s and women’s slalom. Friday’s events will feature the men’s trick as well as the women’s jump. On Saturday, the women will compete in the trick event while the men will take their shot at the jump.

Admission to the tournament is free with passes available at the campus recreation office, located just outside the University Union. They are also available at the ASI business office, located on the third floor of the University Union.

Sac State’s hosting of the National Championships affords the student body a chance to cheer on a Hornet team set to compete, as well as see some of the best skiers in the world. So come out and support some of the nation’s finest athletes.

Call the CSUS Aquatic Center at (916) 985-7239 for further information on the weekend’s events.