Alabama Wins Boars Head Crawdaddy Classic

Pack your blankets and rain boots because we’re headed to the Boars Head Crawdaddy Classic recap!

This past weekend the Eastern Region crawled to Tupelo, MS to compete in the Boars Head Crawdaddy Classic tournament hosted by the University of Alabama (Ski Bama).  With a high of 47, a low of 31 and 90% chance of rain, only the toughest of the tough made the journey. Among those troopers were University of Georgia, University of Alabama, Auburn University, Lander University, and Clemson University. Additionally, several South Central teams joined the fray, they included which included Texas A&M University, University of Louisiana at Monroe, University of Arkansas, and Louisiana State University. Finally, to top off the cross region gathering (and probably the cause for the cold weather), a few skiers from Iowa State University came to represent the Midwest!

With winter making a comeback, both skiers and officials decided a delayed start was best. The Men’s A slalom skier were the first to brave the frigid water. Efforts were made to combat the cold. Swimsuits were covered with wet suits, slalom skis were traded in for jumpers, yet few were a match for the white whale that was the Boars Head Crawdaddy tournament slalom course. Very few openers were ran on this day. In fact, so many people fell on their openers that the Alabama parents decided to set up a fire pit across from buoy number four so that skiers could warm up after their swim back to shore. The South Central came in strong with ULM skier, Tom Poole, snagging the gold with 2 buoys at 35′ off. Taking silver was Alabama skier, Russell Durand Jr, who got 3.5 at 32′ off, and to round out the top three Clemson skier Glenn Barnes took the bronze with 5 at 28′ off.

Our very own episode of Survivor continued with Women’s A slalom. Alabama came in strong with Eloise Whitlock taking first with 1 at 35′ off, and teammate Julianna Boskus taking second with 3.5 at 28′ off. Clemson University, continually showing they can compete with the best had Nellie Roberts snagging the bronze with 3.5 at 22′ off.

The weather progressively got worse, driving skiers into heated cars and huddled together under tents to stay dry. The tournament continued with trick, though the running order was mostly tossed out, and it became more of a first come first served situation. Only TEN Men’s A competitors were brave enough to step up to trick, most skiers scratching as the temperature dropped to snow skiing levels. For the team’s Ski Bama took the top spot with Quinn Haines and Bryce Shirley grabbing gold and silver respectively, Clemson followed with a second place in the men’s team trick, and the South Central’s Louisiana at Monroe took third place for men’s team trick with Tom Poole grabbing the bronze. Men’s trick was followed by the seven tough women of Women’s A trick resulting in another team win for Alabama with teammates Katie Horton and Mariah Fields taking the gold and bronze respectively. Texas A&M came in second as Krist Butterfield claimed the silver medal, and Clemson wrapped out top three teams for women’s trick. Though conditions were tough, there was a light at the end of the tunnel; Sunday’s forecast was looking sunny so jump was pushed and the crawfish boil started early!

Relieved to see the sun, skiers woke up ready to send it! And with perfect conditions (minus the slight cold), it was a perfect opportunity for a short jump competition. But that doesn’t mean we didn’t send it! Coming in first (or last if were talking short jump) was Alabama’s Samuel Greenwood with 141ft. Clemson skier, Glenn Barnes, followed him with 126ft, and coming in third was ULM skier, Tom Poole, with 124ft. The women got equally sendy with Alabama sweeping the podium. In first was Mariah Fields with 93ft, second place went to Julianna Boskus with 89ft, and Katie Horton snagged the bronze with 86ft.

The tournament concluded and skiers packed up their cars, but the real competition had yet to start! After the last skier hit the ramp, the cash prize #SendIt Challenge began! Rules were as follows: 1 pass with 2 double-ups and a rail, costumes are mandatory, and then SEND IT!  Skiers were scored on level of send, execution of send, and STEEXY-ness. First place went to Alabama’s Dason Maloney and Bryce Shirley for their use of a human as a kneeboard, and ULM’s Tom Poole came in second for his bikini barefoot(ish) routine.

This tournament was not for the faint of heart. Everyone who came out was a trooper and went full send. Huge thanks to the University of Alabama Water Ski Team and the Maloney family for hosting such an amazing tournament. Weather conditions cannot keep us down!

The final combined team results are as follows:

1. University of Alabama
2. Texas A&M University
3. Clemson University
4. Auburn University
5. University of Louisiana at Monroe
6. University of Arkansas
7. Iowa State University
8. University of Georgia
9. Lander University

The full results can be found in the scorebook on the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports website.