Missouri State Takes Home Title at 2018 Rock Chalk Classic

Four score and seven years ago…

[JK it was April 28-29, 2018]University of Kansas hosted their annual Rock Chalk Classic tournament! With spring finally in bloom, many teams made an appearance including Missouri State University, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, University of Nebraska, Kansas State University, University of Missouri, and Iowa State University. The South Central Region was also in attendance, sending representatives from Texas A&M, Oklahoma State University, and University of Arkansas. And last but certainly not least, the revitalized team from the University of Colorado Boulder made the trip out from its Western Region home front.

It was a bit cold Saturday morning, but with most of the lakes in the Midwest still being frozen over, a little chill was nothing the Midwest skiers were going to complain about. With half the skiers still sleeping, and most wanting to avoid the cold, it was a first come first serve type-running order all day Saturday. The first event Saturday morning was Women’s trick. Smart women suited up in their best wet suits, while others gambled with a dock start. Missouri state’s Skier Nikki Weber took the gold with 480 points, University of Arkansas Skier Madison Hayden came in second on two trick skis with 240 points, and in third was Kansas State skier Daisy Ralston on a knee board with 200 points.

Men’s trick followed, University of Kansas came in strong with skier Daniel Green taking the gold with 1,540 points. In second was University of Wisconsin – La Crosse skier, Hunter Duffy, with 1,440 points. Coming in third was another University of Kansas skier, Brandon Regester with 1,380 points.

The wind picked up a bit and the course was a bit choppy just in time for Women’s slalom, but any day spent skiing is a great day so there very were few complaints. University of Arkansas skier Madison Hayden showed what the South Central Region can bring to the table, wining gold with 2 buoys at 15 off, 32 mph. In second was Missouri State Skier Nikki Webber crushing 2 buoys at 15 off, 30 mph. Snagging the bronze was Nikki’s teammate Summer Lawson with 1 buoy at 26 mph.

Men’s slalom followed the women. The South Central represented again with Oklahoma State skier taking the gold with 2 buoys at 28′ off. He was followed by University of Kansas skier, Sean Kulig in second with 3 buoys at 22′ off, and Sean’s teammate Daniel Green in third with 5 buoys at 15 off 36mph.

  

Sunday Funday brought the sendiest of jumps. For the women, Missouri State skier Nickki Weber proved she was a top three event athlete, wining first with 61 feet. Iowa State skier Tiera came in second with 55 ft, while teammate Amber Aho came in third with 48 ft. The men got extra sendy with University of Kansas skier Daniel Green coming in first at 117 ft, Oklahoma State skier Alec Shuler in second with 101 ft, and in third was University of Wisconsin – La Crosse skier Evan Marcus with a boot of 95 ft.

Combined Team Results

1. Missouri State University
2. University of Kansas
3. University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
4. Oklahoma State University
5. University of Nebraska
6. Kansas State University
7. University of Arkansas
8. University of Colorado
9. University of Missouri
10. Iowa State University
11. Texas A&M University

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

Huge thanks to University of Kansas for hosting a great tournament, and to the volunteer judges and officials! Also a huge shout out to University of Colorado for bringing their team back to life, competing in their first tournament, and not getting last! Y’all rock!