Southern Ohio Challenge: The Great Lakes Kick-Off Tournament

Sept. 8-9th | Harrison, OH

It was cold. It was rainy. But, as always, it was a memorable weekend down in Harrison Ohio for the first Great Lakes tournament of the collegiate season!

Teams drove from 2 hours to 12 hours from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio to arrive Friday night. The spirit of America was celebrated until late into the night. Then, bright and early in the morning, the UE boom speakers were bumpin’ and men’s A slalom was ready to blow their competition out of the water! (pun intended)

There were a total of 14 teams and 215 skiers, the most skiers that have ever attended the Southern Ohio Challenge.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature decided to dump 4 inches of water onto the campsite  causing an immediate evacuation after the completion of A slalom. But that didn’t stop the spirit and camaraderie of the Great Lakes of Team Midwest, slalomers attacked the course while teammates braved the rain and cold to cheer on the dock! Although teams may have left the site, Cincinnati and Bowling Green gave a warm welcome to any skiers to stay at their homes on campus.

This weekend was a great example of the heart of collegiate water skiing; it’s not about the scores. It’s not about whether you are an A team skier or a B team skier; Collegiate water skiing is about enjoying life on the water (or under the water) and the new/old relationships made and kept throughout the years.