�ǿ����޴�ý

The �ǿ����޴�ý’s Ragin’ Cajuns Water Ski Team has claimed its seventh consecutive Division 1 national title, bringing its overall total to 13 championships.

The Ragin’ Cajuns Water Ski Team also earned Division 1 national championships in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2015, 2010, 2005, 2003, 1997 and 1995. COVID-19 considerations prevented the championship from being held in 2020. 

The team holds the most national championships in school history; it competes as a club sport rather than an NCAA-sanctioned sport. 

This year's win came at the which were held from Oct. 15-17 in Rio Linda, Ca.

“The seven consecutive titles represent the longest championship streak in the NCWSA since �ǿ����޴�ý Lafayette joined the association in 1988, and this year’s win caps another undefeated season that stretches back to 2019,” said Ryan Gonzales, the team’s head coach.

Teams qualify to compete in the national championships, which began in 1979, based on performances during tournaments leading up to the event. The 2026 national championship included three events for women and three for men – slalom, tricks and jump. 

Skiers also competed for individual national titles in each of those events, and for overall women’s and men’s championships.
 
Alana Jones captured the national championship in women’s slalom. Jones, who is from Lafayette, La., has deep family ties to the University's water ski program. Her grandfather, Jim Davidson, founded the team. And her parents, Scot and Lynda Jones, competed for the Ragin’ Cajuns before marrying and later coaching the team.

Megan Pelkey finished second in women’s overall and third in women’s tricks, while Katharina Hafner placed third in women’s jump.  

In the men’s competition, BG Bickley earned second in jump and third in overall. Alexander Gschiel placed third in jump, while Florian Parth finished fifth. Vincent Ahammer finished fourth in men’s tricks, followed by Jack Silver in fifth. Gschiel and Parth also tied for fourth in men’s slalom.

“This win was a true team effort and a testament to the hard work and dedication of each student athlete. Every year brings its own challenges and the team did a great job of coming together and rising to the occasion. It’s very rewarding seeing their work pay off and bring another national title back to Lafayette,” said Harry Spavin, the team’s assistant coach.

Vincent Ahammer (Austria); BG Bickley (U.S.); Lara Butlin (Australia), team captain; Alexander Gschiel (Austria); Katharina Hafner (Austria); Alana Jones (U.S.); Enzo Kristian (Canada); Darah Lachance (Canada), team president; Nina Mezzetti (Italy); Kendra Nathan (U.S.); Florian Parth (Italy); Megan Pelkey (Canada); Corbin Pierce (U.S.); Lucas Pinette (Canada); Jack Silver (New Zealand), team captain; Annemarie Wroblewski (U.S.); and Camryn Waters (U.S.). 

View of the Syndicate 2026 National Collegiate Water Ski Association (NCWSA) National Championships.

Photo caption: �ǿ����޴�ý Lafayette's Ragin' Cajuns Water Ski Team claimed its seventh consecutive Division 1 national title, and thirteenth overall. The win capped an undefeated season for the Ragin’ Cajuns, an unbeaten streak that stretches back to 2019. Submitted photo