USA Water Ski Foundation Announces 2015 Scholarship Winners
POLK CITY, Fla. – The USA Water Ski Foundation is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2015 Scholarship Awards.
Each award winner was selected after displaying remarkable athletic and academic achievement, extra-curricular participation and community service. The USA Water Ski Foundation scholarships are awarded each year to water skiers who show leadership abilities and demonstrate that involvement in the sport has promoted their growth both personally and academically.
“The following nine student athletes are great examples of what individuals can do when they are focused, hard-working and relentless in both athletics and academics,” said USA Water Ski Foundation Executive Director. “A great educational base, coupled with sports, can be the perfect score for creating leaders of tomorrow. We are proud to recognize their achievements both on and off the water.”
Barbara Bolding/Jim Grew Scholarship: $5,000
2015 Recipient: Ellie Horton
Ellie Horton, who will be entering her junior year at Florida Southern College (FSC), is the 2015 recipient of the $5,000 Barbara Bolding/Jim Grew Scholarship. Ellie’s talent and extraordinary work ethic has made her shine both on and off the water. While topping the President’s Honor list at FSC with a perfect 4.0 GPA, Ellie was a member of the U.S. Under 21 team at the 2014 Pan Americans in Bogota, Columbia where she was an integral part of bringing home the team gold, winning the trick and overall title. She also competed in the 2014 Collegiate All-Stars winning gold in the Jump event. Ellie is a senior judge, serves on the AWSA-AAC and was named team captain of the FSC Water Ski Team. Ellie also volunteers her time with water ski grass roots and junior development camps as well as the FSC chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
George Blair Ambassador Scholarship: $2,200
2015 Recipient: Jessica Trygier
Jessica Trygier, a senior at the University of Cincinnati is the recipient of the 2015 George Blair Ambassador Scholarship in the amount of $2,200. Jessica is the current president of the University of Cincinnati Water Ski Team and serves as the MCWSA Great Lake conference chair where she plays a key role in planning tournaments and events such as the winter conference tournaments. Jessica was named Most Valuable Athlete of her water ski team and recorded the top Slalom and Trick performances of the year. Off the water Jessica volunteers at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital while studying to be a Pediatrician.
Southern Region/Elmer Stailing Scholarship: $2,000
2015 Recipient: K.C. Wilson
K.C Wilson, a junior at Florida Southern College, is the 2015 recipient of the Southern Region/Elmer Stailing scholarship in the amount of $2,000. Wilson, the #1 ranked slalom skier on the U21 men’s world ranking list, is a business administration major and member of the FSC Elite Board of Students and the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society. A captain of the FSC Water Ski Team, K.C. is a senior rated slalom judge and often volunteers his time to judge tournaments. He is also co-President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and an ambassador for the In His Wakes ministries.
MasterCraft Scholarship: $1,500
2015 Recipient: Kristen Dammeyer
Kristen Dammeyer, a sophomore at Ohio State University is the recipient of the 2015 MasterCraft scholarship in the amount of $1,500. Dammeyer, who is majoring in Chemistry and with aspirations to attend medical school, is the 2015 Midwest All State Slalom and Trick champion. She was elected Secretary of the Ohio State University Water Ski Club and Treasurer of the Great Lakes Conference Board. She has helped in numerous efforts to raise public awareness for Water Ski events and currently volunteers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She manages to balance all areas of her life while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
Western Region/Big Al Wagner Scholarship: $1,500
2015 Recipient: Erika Lang
World Record holder Erika Lang, who will enter her junior year at Rollins College, is the 2015 recipient of the Western Region/Big Al Wagner Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. While studying Engineering, Lang broke the world record twice in 2014 and racked up many major competition titles including the Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Championships, Goode Water Ski National Championships, the Collegiate Water Ski Nationals, the U.S. Open Water Ski Championships and multiple other national and international accolades. Lang, who is credited with taking Trick skiing to a new level, also placed 4th in her first ever pro women’s wakeboard contest at the 2015 Moomba Masters. Erika plans on pursuing a Master’s degree at Rollins after she graduates.
Nautique Boats Scholarship: $1,500
2015 Recipient: Maxwell Schwein
Max Schwein, a senior at the University of Michigan is the recipient of the 2015 Nautique Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. Pursuing a career path in corporate accounting and finance, Schwein is a co-captain of the University of Michigan Water Ski Team. At the 2014 Michigan State Championships Schwein won slalom, trick and overall titles. He is an instructor at Coble Ski School and has shown great leadership by coaching and assisting his teammates when it comes to their improvement as skier. Following graduation, Schwein plans to pursue a Masters of Accounting degree.
Jennifer Odom/David Kammerer Memorial Scholarship: $1,500
2015 Recipient: Johnathan Martines
Johnathan Martines, a freshman at Penn State University, is the recipient of the 2015 Jean Downes scholarship in the amount of $1,500. Martines, who is studying business, was a member of the 2014 USA Elite Barefoot Waterski Team in Mulwala, Australia where the team earned a Bronze medal. Martines is a 2 time Open Men’s National Overall Champion and 5 time Eastern Regional Overall Champion. Martines spends his school breaks at the World Barefoot Center learning to instruct and helps at tournaments filming other skiers. He also volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club of Scranton.
Jean Downes Scholarship: $1,500
2015 Recipient: Kara MacIntyre
Kara MacIntyre, a sophomore at the University of Alabama is the 2015 recipient of the Jean Downes Scholarship in the Amount of $1,500. A member of the University of Alabama Water Ski Team and longtime top rated junior skier, MacIntyre is studying Microbiology. She made the President’s List for having a 4.0 GPA and was inducted to Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies. MacIntyre volunteers her time driving her water ski teammates at the University of Alabama and driving at the Cory Pickos Water Ski School. MacIntyre plans to be a physician.
Tim Olson Memorial Scholarship: $1,500
2015 Recipient: Ariana Koehler
Ariana Koehler, a junior at Concordia University in Wisconsin is the recipient of the 2015 Tim Olson scholarship in the amount of $1,500. Koehler, a member of the 2014 World Championship winning Show Ski Team, is studying Rehabilitative Science/Pre-Occupational Therapy. Koehler has been a member of three USA Barefoot Teams, five National Championship winning Ballet Lines and has also been a part of the highest scoring swivel act and the most unique act. As a member of the Aquanut Show Ski Team, Koehler has volunteered for Adaptive Aquatics programs and the Junior Aquanut Team. She plans to become an Occupational Therapist.
American Barefoot Club 