The Warhawk water ski team held an open exhibition Tuesday for the public. The show served as both as entertainment for homecoming week as well as a victory lap of sorts as the team was celebrating their newly earned national championship.
This was the 25th national championship in program history and the third consecutive title.
El Centro, California was the location of the championship tournament. After making the cross-country trip, in-state rival UL-Lafayette would remain the only obstacle in the team’s way.
In the closest of the three consecutive championships, the final tally was ULM with 12,885 total points over UL-Lafayette’s 12,610.
“Even coming into the third day if our tricks didn’t perform in the morning it could have gone the other way,” said team captain Will Oliver. “We started off strong, so it took pressure off of all the skiers.”
The team found this title to be extra special not only because of the milestone of winning the 25th title but also because it was over the Ragin’ Cajuns.
“We knew all of them before we came here so they’re our friends,” said Oliver. “It’s a friendly rivalry but we kind of don’t talk as mush as normal on tournament days. It’s also a big deal because both schools are such big rivals.”
Claudio Kostenberger a senior who transferred from UL-Lafayette has experienced the rivalry from both views.
“For me it was really special because it was my last year competing and I had only won one time,” said Kostenberger. “I transferred from Lafayette so I skied for them before. I’ve skied on both sides. We all knew coming into this year that Lafayette had a really really strong team.”
The team is losing several seniors after this season. They look to recruit heavily to reload on the talent that will be lost.
“Lafayette is already working on new skiers as well’” said Kostenberger. “It’s going to be real interesting in the next few years because they just got a bunch of new freshmen and we have some really good freshmen. There’s going to be a constant battle the next few years.”
