Each year, the NCWSA community nominates and votes on the prestigious titles of Team of the Year, Outstanding Leader of the Year, and Athlete of the Year. Through these organization-wide awards, we honor those that have put their best efforts towards supporting the sport, on the water and behind the scenes.
We celebrate their successes at the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports banquet in January. Please join us in applause for this year’s winners!
Team of the Year: Baylor University
Waco, Texas
As a small team in the South Central Region, Baylor University represents an ideal fit for this year’s Team of the Year! The team was completely resurrected in 2021 after more than ten years of inactivity. Incredibly, in just four seasons they were able to recruit a full team of men and women skiers, despite not having a jump to practice on and only being able to train on a public river with a floating slalom course. The team’s performance scores at this year’s 2024 SCR regional championships was good enough to place them fourth and qualify them for their first national championship since 2003! This year was also only their second time qualifying for Nationals in Baylor’s history.
Female Outstanding Leader of the Year: Kelly Hill
Arizona State University
Kelly Hill, the Vice President of the ASU Water Ski Team, exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated leader. Her commitment to the team is unwavering, always putting the needs of the group before her own. Whether organizing practices, coordinating tournaments, or offering support to her teammates, Kelly consistently goes above and beyond. She leads by example, balancing her responsibilities with grace and ensuring that every member feels valued and motivated. Her commitment and ability to inspire others make her a great leader, driving the team toward success both on and off the water. She loves her team with her whole heart, and it is truly shown in how she led ASU’s team this year!
Male Outstanding Leader of the Year: Joe Gage
Baylor University
Joseph Gage of Baylor University’s Water Ski Team is an ideal fit for Male Leader of the Year! Joe reached out to the South Central Region Chair about restarting the Ski team at Baylor in 2021. Starting from virtually scratch, Joe established the team, recruited a strong enough squad to qualify for Nationals this year, which was only the second national championship appearance in school history. Joe also worked on acquiring a 2021 Mastercraft boat for the team to train behind full time. Joe has led from the front, as a strong three-event skier himself. Increasing his personal bests in all three events over his 4 seasons competing. He has a knack for compassion and enthusiasm, always being a gentle and positive leader in any room he is in. Recently, Joe joined the South Central Region Board as Vice Chair and continues to give back to collegiate skiing with almost all of his free time.
Female Athlete of the Year: Luisa Jaramillo
Arizona State University
As the first West coast skier to win a D1 event in well over a decade, Luisa Jaramillo deserves to be Female Athlete of the Year! Luisa came to Arizona State University and lit it up from day one. She has set countless conference and regional records, setting them at both local and national tournaments. She always continues to push her skiing to the next level. She showed that this year at Nationals by tying the slalom lead of 1@39 off. She came back and ran 39 off a second time, winning the run-off with a score of 2@39 off. She has been a crucial part of the development of the ASU team over the last few years, and she truly deserves this recognition.
Male Athlete of the Year: Will Roberts
University of Alabama
Will Roberts, a University of Alabama skier, is incredibly deserving of the Male Athlete of the Year distinction! He has placed multiple times in jump at collegiate nationals, and this year he absolutely dominated, winning the event with a jump of 183 feet. His teammates look up to him as the image of the Alabama jump team and a great friend and coach. He is an incredibly hard-working athlete dedicated to giving new skiers the opportunity to learn how to jump. As a leader on the team, he spends hours each day at the lake driving and coaching his teammates and lending endless support. As a senior, any of his teammates will say he is leaving behind a legacy of selflessness and strength.
Honored at the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Banquet
We appreciate everyone that was nominated, as well as those that voted. The collective efforts of the community uplift this sport at the grassroots level unlike any other.
We look forward to welcoming the winners and supporters to the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Banquet in Lakeland, Florida on January 25th, 2025.
Winners will be contacted by the awards committee and region leadership to coordinate tickets to the event.
- Congratulations to the 2024 winners of the NCWSA Annual Awards - November 28, 2024
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- Voting Now Open for 2024 Annual Award Nominees - November 9, 2024
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