Ski Sharks take second place at state tourney

The Shawano Ski Sharks saved the circus, and in the process, they finished in second place in Division 2 at the National Show Ski Association (NSSA) state tournament in Wisconsin Rapids on July 18-21.

All told, the team racked up more than a dozen awards as a team and individually.

“Our team was the most prepared we have ever been and we went to the tournament with high expectations,” said Dave Passehl, president of the Ski Sharks. “After our three largest acts crashed during the tournament show, we were expecting a poor placement in our division. Until the awards ceremony, we heard so many positive comments about our show, and we learned that we were certainly our most harsh critics. Placing second along with highest scores for overall production and sound/announcing along with many of the acts scoring first or second in points helped us land a second-place finish.”

In addition to the overall second-place award, other team awards were best sound and announcing, best production, second place pick up boat, third place tow boat driving and several acts scoring first or second.

“Something I’m most proud of is how our team never showed defeat even in the worst times of our show,” Passehl said. “The team stayed focused and positive, and the crowd and judges took notice and our team placed second for showmanship scores, which is a large part of show skiing.”

Individual honors went to Faith Passehl, third place in open swivel; Ryan Strachan, second place in endurance figure 8 barefoot event; Ava Pleshek and Carsten McHugh, 11th in the doubles competition; Elizabeth Salerno and Brad Keuschel, 13th in the doubles competition; and Katie Weiland and Sandor Anday, 16th in the doubles competition.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our team and our show directors, Sam, Jack and Ryan Strachan,” Passehl said. “They kept us focused all season and pushed our acts to be larger and larger each week. The talent on our team right now is the best we’ve ever had, and the dedication to making our shows great has helped us perform at a high level.”

This year’s theme, Ski Sharks Save the Circus, was developed by the Strachan brothers.

According to the Ski Sharks’ website, the show is described as, “The circus, once a thrilling and captivating performance, now struggles to capture the attention of an audience. Things are looking grim, and unless something changes, the circus will be forced to close its doors. In a search for a spark to reignite the magic, the circus looks for new opportunities to draw in viewers. Fear not, the Shawano Ski Sharks are here to save the circus as they bring it to the water. Welcome to the Greatest Show on H2O.”

Founded in 1976, the Ski Sharks today have about 40 skiers with another 50 or more who help as spotters and drivers, as well as with the concessions and other behind-the-scenes work.

“We get one, two or three new members each year,” Passehl said. “Not all of them will stick around a lot of years, but we do have several families who have been part of the team a long time.”

Passehl’s family is one of them. He’s been part of the group for 30 years, with his wife and children joining him.

“We believe this is one sport you can do as an entire family,” he said. “It’s not like the parents are sitting in the stands watching the kids play. It’s a lifestyle. You’re side by side on the water, performing together.”

While the team welcomes everyone, Passehl admits they could use more older teenagers or adults with the strength to lift others and be on the bottom of pyramids. Also, there are twice as many female members as males, so more men is another need for the team.

Passehl said there are about 30 amateur waterski teams in Wisconsin, and most compete at the state tournament, enough to put about nine teams in each of the three divisions.

Roughly, large teams have 60 or more members, medium teams have between 30 and 59, and small teams have fewer than 30 members.

Passehl explained that how teams finish at state determines their placement the next year. For example, the first-place Division 2 team automatically moves to Division 1 the next year, against larger teams. Conversely, the last-place Division 1 team falls to participate in Division 2 the next year.

Passehl said skiing in the state tournament is impressive and important, but team members know that at the end of they day, the performances that really matter are the ones held weekly at Smalley Park in Shawano.

“We perform for our friends and neighbors, and they help us pay the bills,” he said.

kpasson@newmedia-wi.com