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To get better at anything, it takes consistent practice. Trial and error. Failing and overcoming those failures. In water skiing, this is especially true – the number of times you have to fall on each new trick is often a serious barrier to an individual’s progress.
Who do you think was the most improved skier over the past season? It could be a team or an individual!
I would like to nominate Bryce Fongers from Grand Valley for the most improved skier award. Bryce is a very diligent individual when it comes to benefiting himself as well as the team as a whole when in competition. He would always be looking for advice from different people to better his skills (shout out Drew BudLight) and ever since Bennetts 2024 he is now an all around skier. Even though he chose to preserve his knees this season and didn’t compete jump, Bryce worked endless hours on trick during the majority of the off season, as well as in-season practices, and it SHOWED. His highest PB this season was a score of 630 points after not being able to complete a SIDE SLIDE in May of 2024. This alone shows how much time he dedicated to his improvement, which is why he is one of the most suited candidates for this award.
I would like to nominate the Michigan State University Waterski Team for the most improved team award. As a team we have had essentially a full rebuild in less than a year. Last season we were 6th place at conferences and finished in 12th at regionals failing to qualify for nationals. In addition we were only able to put together a full women’s A team for every event for regionals that year. We had only 3 A team women skiers at Allentucky.
This year we had a full shift in team culture. We had a full women’s A-team and multiple women’s B-team skiers at every tournament. Our new and the few returning women skiers, helped make our scores competitive at every tournament and deserve so much praise for stepping up and preforming at Regionals with every women at least running a full mini course!
We had one of the most successful Spartan Ripfest’s with 427 pulls! This was thanks to our super dedicated old team members and new team members who jumped right into this wonderful community and helped bring MSU Waterski back to its rightful place as a powerhouse in the Midwest!
In addition to this our men’s team jumped from 10th in the region to flighting with Madison for 1st all season. In the nation we ended the season ranked 9th! Our men’s slalom team finished the season ranked 8th in the nation, only behind ULL, ULM, Alabama, Florida Southern, ASU, Clemson and Rollins (All warm weather schools, with all year ski access). In addition we saw a huge jump in our Men’s trick team, with only one skier scoring over 500 points last year (Aidan Hughes, who should also be the region MVP). This year we had all of our A-team Men’s skiers trick over 500 points at some point in the season! It should also be noted that MSU does not have jump to practice on and all of our men’s A team skiers jump over 55 feet (last year not counting Aidan, we had no one land over 50ft if I remember correctly)
Thanks to our stellar mens and women teams (and thanks to huge jumps from our men on the last day) we were able to secure 6th place at Regionals where we qualified for Nationals in a year where none of the projections had us making it! While at Nationals we had a blast securing 6th place, while getting our team prepared for the upcoming season where we are set to take a stab at the D2 national championship or possibly a bid at D1 nationals!
I cannot say enough about the great men and women who make up our team and the excellent support we had from returning skiers welcoming in key new members to the team. I think that the turn around on paper looks nice, but the real turn around and improvement took place with the number of new members and the family that we have built here within the MSU Waterski Team.
Thank you for your consideration and Go Green!
Katie Harvat’s journey in collegiate waterskiing is nothing short of inspiring. Coming into college, she was just recovering from a spinal fusion surgery and wasn’t even able to ski. But through relentless perseverance, dedication, and an unshakable love for the sport, she has not only regained her abilities but surpassed anything she ever thought possible.
By her senior year, Katie didn’t just return to the skier she was before, she completely redefined her limits. She doubled her trick score from last year, reaching 980 points, despite never trick skiing before college. In Slalom, she shattered her personal best by almost two full passes, skiing 4.5 @ 28 off AT NATIONALS, proving her ability to perform under pressure.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Katie has also made a lasting impact on the team as a former president of Miami Waterski. Her leadership helped shape the team’s culture, fostering a supportive and competitive environment that encouraged both individual growth and team success. She has been a role model both on and off the water, showing what it means to lead with dedication and resilience.
Katie’s improvement is a testament to her hard work, determination, and commitment to the sport. She has shown that no obstacle is too big to overcome, even a completely new metal back, and her progress has been an inspiration to her teammates and the entire waterski community.For her remarkable growth, record-breaking performances, and unwavering leadership, Katie Harvat is more than deserving of the Most Improved Skier award.
Michigan Tech Waterski & Wakeboard Club – In just their first season on the water, this team has demonstrated remarkable perseverance, adaptability, and dedication to improvement overcoming numerous challenges and making significant strides in both individual and team development.
The essence of waterskiing is persistence. Every new trick, every skill learned, requires falling and getting back up something this team has embodied throughout their journey. Without prior experience or an established foundation, they took on the challenge of building a competitive waterski team from the ground up. They procured equipment, including a boat from Texas, created a comprehensive risk management plan, secured insurance after 14 rejections, and even established a nonprofit to expand their impact within the Michigan Tech and surrounding community.
Throughout the season, the team worked tirelessly to improve their skills. They hosted multiple “Learn to Ski” events each week, providing opportunities for 29 new skiers to take to the water, and made skiing accessible by coordinating transportation and flexible practice schedules. Without a permanent boat slip, they adapted and found creative ways to ensure members could get on the water five to seven days a week.
One of their most significant areas of growth was in ski jumping—one of the most challenging aspects of the sport. Recognizing the need for expert guidance, they connected with the Badwater Ski-Ters Show Team in Wisconsin to receive hands-on training and access to specialized equipment. Despite the inevitable falls and setbacks, their dedication paid off, preparing members for competition and introducing a new skill set to the team.
Their hard work culminated in their first-ever collegiate competition, even when faced with mechanical issues that shortened their season by two weeks, the team’s adaptability and strong community connections allowed them to quickly resolve the problem while keeping members safe and ready for the next season. Their commitment to growth extended beyond the water, as they built a following of over 100 interested members
The Michigan Tech Waterski & Wakeboard Club has demonstrated tremendous improvement in just one season—not only in their skills but in their ability to overcome obstacles, foster a supportive team environment, and establish a strong foundation for future success. Their resilience, dedication, and passion for the sport make them highly deserving of the Most Improved Team Award.
I would like to nominate Adam ByWater (better known as Pirate) from Iowa State University. Pirate joined the team during freshmen year without ever seeing a course. He jumped right in and quickly became one of the most frequent skiers out at practice. In just one year as a sophomore, his PB went from zero to now 5.5 @36mph 22’.This fall season, Pirate won the gold title of highest boat gas bill by taking 447 passes in just about 8 weeks of practice. The dedication and passion he shows for waterskiing is such an infectious thing to be around and encourages us all. Well, being out at the lake twice a day may not have improved the grades it is outstanding to see how much his skiing has grown in just a year. The amazing strides Pirate has made would make him an amazing person to honor as the most improved skier.
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