LAKELAND, Fla. - The Florida Southern College waterski team is ready to open the 2024 season this weekend facing Rollins College on Saturday.
"Opening the season is always a thrilling moment, and this year is no different," stated head coach
Curtis Rabe. "This season we have added more depth to our roster so I am excited to get this season started. We've got a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent, and my expectation is simple. I want to see passion, dedication, and teamwork. The new players are stepping into big shoes, and I believe they'll rise to the challenge. Our goal is to build momentum from the start and to keep pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve together."
After this weekend, the Moccasins will take a week off before jumping right into the Southern and Atlantic Coastal Regional on Sept. 27-29 where they will face Division I talent. Last year during the SAC Regional, FSC finished second overall taking down Auburn, Clemson, and Georgia Institute of Technology. The Mocs will head into the regional looking for a rematch against the champion at the University of Alabama.
After regionals, Florida Southern will travel to Martindale, Texas to compete in the National Collegiate Waterski Association National Championship where they finished fourth last year. The championship will begin on Thursday, Oct.10, and conclude on Saturday, Oct 12 with the national winner crowned for the 2024 season.
As for the roster, head coach Rabe has brought in several new faces including five freshmen and one transfer who he hopes will make a big impact on the team. The new faces that are joining the men's waterski team are
Jakub Mares,
Ty Meeker,
Trenton Oberndorf, and
Chase Sparks, while the women are joined by
Hailee Thoin and a transfer
Avery Crain.
Along with the new talent to the roster, several top competitors return to the water including
Chris Horwood,
Johnny Horwood,
Collin Frucci,
Vicente Tizza,
Aaliyah Yoong Hanifah,
Sierra Klinchuch,
Delaney Harris,
Olivia Chute,
Josefa Gonzalez.
