Michigan State Victorious at Wet & Cold Purdue “Spring” Fest

The worst thing that can happen is you get wet, right?

This weekend, 11 Midwest teams packed their bags and skis, and made the trip down to Hillsboro, TN to ski at Swerve for Purdue’s Spring Fest. We were all welcomed by cheerful, sunburnt waterskiers on Friday when teams showed up. The weather was beautiful and the water was perfect for skiing for the first time in –for most of us- months.

Last year, Spring Fest brought 37 skiers out of winter retirement… This year, 82 of us woke up to the best feeling in the world- sunshine when you unzipped your tent. Start time was set for 9am. Alex Clark was first off the dock. He was sent off with lots of love from his ski pup, Walter. Soon after the first buoys were slayed, the rain started… and never stopped.

Individual Slalom Results

Taking first place in Men’s slalom was Alex Clark (MST), skiing 3.5 @ 28 off. Second place went to Jayson Breler (DAY), and third was Evan Marcus (LAX). Taking first place for the women was Sara Condra (MST), skiing 5 @ 34mph. Second place went to Camille Clark (PUR), and third was Miranda Monroe (MST).

The real winners were the boat drivers and judges. They made it through 109 pulls with only one boat on day one.

All day, everyone was on edge waiting for the first crack of lightning or roll of thunder, but the storm seemed to have gotten the memo that we were out trying to slay buoys and that we didn’t have time for interruption. In an effort to ski as much as we could, jumping was moved up to Saturday afternoon.

We watched as everyone #SendIt off Big Red, hoping that we could get through most of the event. Being the first tournament of the season, and the first chance of the season many people have skied, it was an afternoon of getting our ski legs back, with many a faces full of water. With the weather less than ideal, and big boots not happening, there was a solid amount of scratches, but there was also a great amount of fun! Skiers with an alternate life in the show ski realm were using their third jump to flip off the ramp, and taking any opportunity to just have fun. Women’s jump concluded on Sunday morning, right before the rain stopped.

Individual Jump Results

Taking first place in Men’s jump was Samuel Reifsteck (OHS), jumping 104 feet. Second place went to Evan Marcus (LAX), and third was Christian Haubrich (MIL). Taking first place for the women was Clare Knecht (CIN), jumping 54 feet. Second place went to Sara Condra (MST), and third was Mallin Blaxall (CIN).

The real winner of yumping was Evan Marcus for jumping 102 feet, with a warm welcome to the century club.

Once jump finished Sunday, and the weather was starting to smooth out, everyone was ready to get tricky. Okay not really everyone, everyone was cold and miserable and most people scratched, but a few were bold enough to put on a brave face for 20 seconds of trick skiing! Evan Marcus tricked in a ninja turtle onesie and ski goggles. Alex Clark also went out in a full rain suit, that he proudly sported all weekend.

Individual Trick Results

Taking first place in Men’s trick was Alex Clark (MST) scoring 1160 points. Second place went to Hunter Duffy (LAX), and third was Mitchell Lee (PUR). Taking first place for the women was Jean Klochko Bull (MST), scoring 140 points. Second place went to Megan Gilroy (OHS), and third was Anna Geyer (MST).

The real winners of trick were the EIGHT skiers who chose to still trick despite the morning rain and the 30 degree temperature drop.

The hardest part of the day was cleaning up while trudging through the thick Tennessee mud. Ski trailers were loaded with soaking wet gear for the ride back home, tents filled with water were emptied, and shoes upon shoes were left in Tennessee because they were just too muddy to get brought back home. Team Midwest was just happy to be there though. Smiles were plastered on the faces of all skiers, even as we were hanging out in the backs of cars instead of hanging out in the water. Nobody seemed to care that we were playing cards in the house rather than playing spike ball outside… Just like that, as the last jumps were finishing, and the last cars of happy skiers pulled out of the parking lot, the sun was shining in all of its glory. But I mean, the worst thing that happened this weekend was that we all got a little wet.

Combined Overall Placements

1. Michigan State University
2. Purdue University
3. Bowling Green State University
4. Miami University
5. Indiana University
6. University of Dayton
7. University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
8. Western Michigan University
9. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
10. Ohio State University
11. University of Cincinnati

Evan Marcus of UW-La Crosse won Men’s Overall for the weekend and Jean Klochko Bull of Michigan State won Women’s Overall for the weekend. The full scorebook can be found on the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports website.

Spirit Winners

The real winners for the whole weekend were Michigan State and Bowling Green State for always braving the cold to send their teammates off the dock with as much enthusiasm as ever.

Special Thanks

A special thanks goes to all the officials that brave the weather to score, judge, and volunteer their time at the tournament! A special shout out to Purdue alumnus Michael “Unicorn” Bullock for providing the warmth we traveled all the way to Tennessee for but could only find in your home, and making it through the whole weekend, barefoot.