Indiana Waterski Championships 2026
NEW RECORDS: 2025
Girls 2        Jump    Jenna Bucher    50 feet    
Girls 4        Trick    Joy Bucher         1400            
Women 8    Trick     Patty Patterson      1660


NEW RECORDS : 2026
Women 6 Slalom     Kim Black 3.5 @ 28off 32MPH 75.5 Buoys
Men 2 Slalom     Briant Detty 4@38off 36MPH 106 Buoys (Tied Casey Contos 2018 record)




JUMP trophy        Briant Detty 159 Feet
Barb Miller Scholarship Award        Coltin Bucher / Taylor Schmitt


Rollie Williams :        Kent Hoops



OVERALL Winners: Indiana State Championships 2026


Boys 1        Jackson Sharkey         544.8
Boys 3        Jacob Bucher        2358.7    
Boys 4        Rhett Bucher         963.1
Boys 5        Kolten Hoops        1983.2
Girls 1            Paxton McCullough    1711.0
Girls 2            Jenna Bucher        2163.4
Girls 4            Joy Bucher            1549.9
Mens 1        Sean Freitag            2213.0
Mens 2        Briant Detty            2556.7
Mens 3        Cody Sharkey        1575.4
Mens 4        Brandon Bucher          942.3    
Mens 9        Don Bucher              593.5
Women 3        Michelle Bucher        1796.4


TEAM AWARD: Indiana State Championships 2026


Kodiak Ski Club        288 pts
Cindonway Shores        256 pts
Sharkey             66 pts
Brewski             48 pts
Champion              44 pts
Hawthorn             42 pts
Silent Shores         36 pts
Kokomo             30 pts

1st Kim Black



SLALOM
Men 1
1st Charlie Cross
2nd Sean Freitag
3rd Galvin Conboy
Men 2
1st Brian Detty
2nd Dillin Newton
3rd Mark Zimmerman
4th Sung Namgung
Men 3
1st Jimmy Tranchita
2nd Chad Tieman
3rd Cody Sharkey
4th BJ Newton
5th Joe Cramer
Men 4
1st Jeff Cross
2nd Neal Clark
3rd Shannon McCullough
4th Brandon Bucher


SLALOM
Men 5
1st Sean Conboy
2nd Eric Detty
Men 6
1st Chris Clark
2nd Doug Stukey
Men 8
1st John Kniesly
2nd Mike Patterson
Men 9
1st Don Bucher
2nd Bryan Burney
3rd Dave Jarrett


1st Rhett Bucher



TRICKS
Boys 5
1st Kolten Hoops
2nd Wyatt Bucher
Women 3
1st Shannon Chapman
2nd Abby Tranchita
3rd Michalle Bucher
Women 4
1st Carla Stornetta
Women 8
1st Patty Patterson
Men 1
1st Coltin Bucher
2nd Sean Freitag
Men 2
1st Briant Detty
2nd Mark Zimmerman
3rd Sung Namgung
4th Dillin Newton




TRICKS
Men 3
1st Cody Sharkey
2nd Jared Sharkey
3rd Joe Cramer
Men 4
1st Brandon Bucher
2nd Shannon McCullough
Men 5
1st Eric Detty
Men 8
1st Paul Manning
Men 9
1st Don Bucher
2nd Dave Jarrett
2nd Randy Sharkey
Dave & Randy tied











​

​2026 Indiana State Championships Wrap-Up
The 2026 Indiana State Water Ski Championships is in the books. It was one of the best attended Championships in past years. An astounding number of young skiers filled the record skiing order. The weather prediction missed it again, providing overcast skies and cool temperatures but the skiing conditions were superb! Three generations of skiers from the Sharkey and Bucher families also made it special.
An evening banquet completed the day with awards being given, the Rollie Williams Award, $500 Barb Miller college scholarships to Taylor Schmidt of Kokomo Ski Club and Coltin Bucher of Cindonway Shores, and “State Team Placements” being announced. First place went to Kodiak Lake and second place went to Cindonway Shores. (a bit of rivalry between Kodiak Lake and Cindonway Shores has been a topic of conversation in past years)
A kind gesture from Kodiak Lake offered additional water skiing on Sunday to all interested. Watch for the Rollie Williams Award on a different post.

​ Dennis Gene Carroll, 74, of Rochester, IN, passed away at his home on Monday, July 20, 2026. 
​Denny was born on March 10, 1952, in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. During his formative years, his family moved to Rochester, IN. He was a member of the Rochester High School class of 1970. During his early years, Denny was a familiar sight on Lake Manitou in the summer. Known for his daredevil waterskiing, he was an iconic member of the Lake Manitou Ski Club. He was a keen competitor and a dominant force in the world of competitive water skiing. In 1989, he achieved his dream of becoming the Men’s III National Water Ski Jump Champion at Zachary, LA with a jump of 147 feet. He was a Northern Indiana skier. Lots of older skiers knew Denny as a daredevil, according to longtime friend, Don Bucher. Denny was also known to fly ski kites at local ski shows.
Here is the link to more of his story and a beautiful Memory Book of photos.
https://www.goodfamilyfh.com/obituary/dennis-carroll

The Kodiak Lake July 11th tournament had a full house with numerous skiers in slalom, jump, and tricks.  It was heart-warming to see the Burdick family back in Indiana skiing at Kodiak Lake that they started back in time.  (Cale Burdick was the top skier in slalom!)  Several other skiers from Michigan came along to ski, as well. Let us not forget the McCullough family who have developed the lake into a primo water skiing location .The kids always have a blast there.  Of course the weather gods threw a wrench into the schedule with weather/rain delays which resulted in a longer day. Jack Tranchita and Jackson Sharkey both skied their first tournament. Let's hope the Indiana State Championships scheduled for July 25th also at Kodiak Lake have improved weather conditions. 
Check the USA Water Ski website for actual scores and all the participants.  ​

Kodiak P and C July 11
Running Order By Round -
Jump Round 1
Group Div RO Grp Rd . Skier Order . NR Score Team Class Jump Ht St
B2 B2 B2 1 Baker, Wade 1 0 C 5.00 MI
B2 B2 B2 1 Baker, Timothy 1 0 C 5.00 MI
B3 B3 B3 1 McCullough, Hudson 1 0 C 5.00 IN
B5 B5 B5 1 Hoops, Kolten 1 0 C 5.00 IN
G2 G2 G2 1 Burdick, Brooke 1 0 C 5.00 MI
G3 G3 G3 1 Burdick, Violet 1 0 C 5.00 MI
W2 W2 W2 1 Nieters, Jessica 2 0 C 5.00 IN
M2 M2 M2 1 Zimmerman, Mark 3 0 C 5.00 TX
M3 M3 M3 1 Baker, Tim 3 0 C 5.00 MI
M3 M3 M3 1 Burdick, Cale 3 0 C 5.00 MI
M8 M8 M8 1 Kniesly, John 3 0 C 4.50 IN
Kodiak P and C July 11
Running Order By Round -
Jump Round 2
Group Div RO Grp Rd . Skier Order . NR Score Team Class Jump Ht St
B3 B3 B3 2 McCullough, Hudson 1 0 C 5.00 IN
B5 B5 B5 2 Hoops, Kolten 1 0 C 5.00 IN
G2 G2 G2 2 Burdick, Brooke 1 0 C 5.00 MI
G3 G3 G3 2 Burdick, Violet 1 0 C 5.00 MI
W2 W2 W2 2 Nieters, Jessica 2 0 C 5.00 IN
M2 M2 M2 2 Zimmerman, Mark 3 0 C 5.00 TX
M8 M8 M8 2 Kniesly, John 3 0 C 4.50 IN

​Kodiak P and C July 11
Running Order By Round -
Trick Round 1
Group Div RO Grp Rd . Skier Order . NR Score Team Class Boat St
B1 B1 B1 1 Sharkey, Jackson 1 0 C MC IN
B1 B1 B1 1 Burdick, Dane 1 0 C CC MI
B2 B2 B2 1 Baker, Timothy 1 0 C CC MI
B2 B2 B2 1 Baker, Wade 1 0 C CC MI
B3 B3 B3 1 McCullough, Hudson 1 0 C CC IN
B5 B5 B5 1 Hoops, Kolten 1 0 C MC IN
G1 G1 G1 1 McCullough, Paxton 1 0 C CC IN
G2 G2 G2 1 McClellan, Brenna 1 0 C CC IN
G2 G2 G2 1 Burdick, Brooke 1 0 C CC MI
G3 G3 G3 1 Stornetta, Leah 1 0 C CC IN
G3 G3 G3 1 Tranchita, Camille 1 0 C CC IN
G3 G3 G3 1 Burdick, Violet 1 0 C CC MI
G4 G4 G4 1 Detty, Karly 1 0 C CC IN
W3 W3 W3 1 Baker, Michelle 2 0 C CC MI
W3 W3 W3 1 Tranchita, Abby 2 0 C CC IN
W3 W3 W3 1 Burdick, Laura 2 0 C CC MI
W3 W3 W3 1 Chapman, Shannon 2 0 C CC IN
W8 W8 W8 1 Patterson, Patricia 2 0 C CC IN
M3 M3 M3 1 Baker, Tim 3 0 C CC MI
M3 M3 M3 1 Burdick, Cale 3 0 C CC MI
M8 M8 M8 1 Manning, Paul 3 0 C MC IN
Kodiak P and C July 11
Running Order By Round -
Trick Round 2
Group Div RO Grp Rd . Skier Order . NR Score Team Class Boat St
B1 B1 B1 2 Sharkey, Jackson 1 0 C MC IN
B1 B1 B1 2 Burdick, Dane 1 0 C CC MI
G1 G1 G1 2 McCullough, Paxton 1 0 C CC IN
G3 G3 G3 2 Tranchita, Camille 1 0 C CC IN
G4 G4 G4 2 Detty, Karly 1 0 C CC IN
W3 W3 W3 2 Burdick, Laura 2 0 C CC MI
W3 W3 W3 2 Chapman, Shannon 2 0 C CC IN
W8 W8 W8 2 Patterson, Patricia 2 0 C CC IN
M8 M8 M8 2 Manning, Paul 3 0 C MC IN

Kodiak P and C
July 11, 2026
Running Order By Round -
Slalom Round 1
Group Div RO Grp Rd . Skier Order . NR Score Team Class St
B1 B1 B1 1 Tranchita, Jack 1 0 F IN
B1 B1 B1 1 Burdick, Dane 1 0 C MI
B2 B2 B2 1 Baker, Wade 1 0 C MI
B2 B2 B2 1 Baker, Timothy 1 0 C MI
B3 B3 B3 1 McCullough, Hudson 1 0 C IN
B5 B5 B5 1 Hoops, Kolten 1 0 C IN
G1 G1 G1 1 Clark, Connelly 1 0 F IN
G1 G1 G1 1 McCullough, Paxton 1 0 C IN
G2 G2 G2 1 McClellan, Brenna 1 0 C IN
G2 G2 G2 1 Burdick, Brooke 1 0 C MI
G3 G3 G3 1 Stornetta, Leah 1 0 C IN
G3 G3 G3 1 Tranchita, Camille 1 0 C IN
G3 G3 G3 1 Burdick, Violet 1 0 C MI
G4 G4 G4 1 Detty, Karly 1 0 C IN
W2 W2 W2 1 Nieters, Jessica 2 0 C IN
W3 W3 W3 1 Burdick, Laura 2 0 C MI
W3 W3 W3 1 Baker, Michelle 2 0 C MI
W3 W3 W3 1 McCullough, Kati 2 0 C IN
W3 W3 W3 1 Tranchita, Abby 2 0 C IN
W4 W4 W4 1 Stornetta, Carla 2 0 C IN
W4 W4 W4 1 Lott, Marla 2 0 C IN
M2 M2 M2 1 Giannini, Mario 3 0 C IN
M2 M2 M2 1 Namgung, Sung 3 0 C IN
M2 M2 M2 1 Zimmerman, Mark 3 0 C TX
M3 M3 M3 1 Cord, Adam 3 0 C WA
M3 M3 M3 1 Baker, Tim 3 0 C MI
M3 M3 M3 1 Burdick, Cale 3 0 C MI
M4 M4 M4 1 Mccullough, J Shannon 3 0 C IN
M4 M4 M4 1 Clark, Neal 3 0 C IN
M5 M5 M5 1 Detty, Eric 3 0 C IN
M5 M5 M5 1 Morton, Scott 3 0 C IN
M6 M6 M6 1 Clark, Chris 3 0 C IN
M8 M8 M8 1 Powers, Mark 3 0 C IN
M8 M8 M8 1 Kniesly, John 3 0 C IN
M8 M8 M8 1 Patterson, Mike 3 0 C IN
Running Order By Round -
Slalom Round 2
Group Div RO Grp Rd . Skier Order . NR Score Team Class St
B1 B1 B1 2 Tranchita, Jack 1 0 F IN
B1 B1 B1 2 Burdick, Dane 1 0 C MI
B2 B2 B2 2 Baker, Wade 1 0 C MI
B2 B2 B2 2 Baker, Timothy 1 0 C MI
G1 G1 G1 2 Clark, Connelly 1 0 F IN
G1 G1 G1 2 McCullough, Paxton 1 0 C IN
G2 G2 G2 2 McClellan, Brenna 1 0 C IN
G3 G3 G3 2 Stornetta, Leah 1 0 C IN
G3 G3 G3 2 Tranchita, Camille 1 0 C IN
G4 G4 G4 2 Detty, Karly 1 0 C IN
W2 W2 W2 2 Nieters, Jessica 2 0 C IN
W3 W3 W3 2 Burdick, Laura 2 0 C MI
W3 W3 W3 2 Baker, Michelle 2 0 C MI
W4 W4 W4 2 Lott, Marla 2 0 C IN
M2 M2 M2 2 Giannini, Mario 3 0 C IN
M2 M2 M2 2 Namgung, Sung 3 0 C IN
M2 M2 M2 2 Zimmerman, Mark 3 0 C TX
M3 M3 M3 2 Cord, Adam 3 0 C WA
M3 M3 M3 2 Baker, Tim 3 0 C MI
M3 M3 M3 2 Burdick, Cale 3 0 C MI
M4 M4 M4 2 Mccullough, J Shannon 3 0 C IN
M4 M4 M4 2 Clark, Neal 3 0 C IN
M5 M5 M5 2 Detty, Eric 3 0 C IN
M5 M5 M5 2 Morton, Scott 3 0 C IN
M6 M6 M6 2 Clark, Chris 3 0 C IN
M8 M8 M8 2 Powers, Mark 3 0 C IN
M8 M8 M8 2 Kniesly, John 3 0 C IN
M8 M8 M8 2 Patterson, Mike 3 0 C IN

​The weather gods were not very kind to the folks at Timberlake on Saturday, June 27th, 2026.  Several weather delays and the threat of 3 inches of rain and thunderstorms did not prevent the first 3 event Indiana tournament of the 2026 season.  It seemed like "family day" at Timberlake as many of the skiers had the same last names.  There were father , daughters, father, sons, entire families, and a number of singles participating in the event.  Congratulations to Maggie Cramer who skied in her first tournament in several years along with hubby Joe.  (She was busy building a family!)   The next scheduled Indiana tournament is July 11th at Kodiak Lake.