Athlete Awards

James G. Sylvester memorial trophy

This award is presented to the individual demonstrating the highest degree of sportsmanship and integrity in the sport of water skiing.

2023     Matt Byrne
2022     TG Powell
2021     Pat Byrne
2020     Dave Knight
2019     Hutch Haines
2018     Scott Behner
2017     John Paulovich
2016     Marie Baker
2015     Tonya Maurer
2014     Chip Shand
2013     Russ Cole
2012     Dave Allen
2011     George Vosburgh
2010     Jon Thacher
2009     Dean Rudy
2008     Marie Fields
2007     Jennifer Frederick Kelly
2006     Gary Noll
2005     Ron Ramsey
2004     Mike Lauretano
2003     Clarence Swift
2002     Ann Lohr
2001     Doug Robbins
2000     Gertha Hancock
1999     Jim Meis
1998     Steve Lohr
1997     Roger Hammel
1996     Howie Emerson
1995     Tom Hinman
1994     Bud Raley
1993     Lee Mershon
1992     Marie Baker
1991     Nancy DeJesus
1990     Paul Allebach
1989     Gail Ferrelli
1988     Jerry Stansberry
1987     John Autore
1986     Bill Baker, Sr.
1985     Warren Witherell
1984     Robert Corson
1983     Tiny Richards
1982     Jane Carroll
1981     Mary Wenner
1980     Judy Richardson
1979     Tony Kluge
1978     Hank Miner
1977     Lex Carroll
1976     C.W. Wenner

Tiny Richards Memorial Award

This award is presented to the judge who displays the most skill, knowledge and dedication to the sport of water skiing. Award was retired in 2022.

2022 Bill Baker (award was retired after 2022)
2021 Billy Cirilli
2020 Billy Cirilli
2019 Jon Thacher
2018 Roger Hammel
2017 Gary Noll
2016 Dave Knight
2015 Jerry Stansberry
2014 Kevin Driggers
2013 Roger Hammel
2012 Bill Cooper
2011 Dean Rudy
2010 Clarence Swift
2009 Bill Baker
2008 Gary Noll
2007 Dave Robbins
2006 Bill Baker
2005 Ralph Hall
2004 Ralph Hall
2003 Bill Baker. Sr
2002 Steve Lohr
2001 Donna Laskey
2000 Bill Baker. Sr
1999 Jim Meis
1998 Kenny Crofton
1997 Roger Hammel
1996 Joe Deltondo
1995 Lee Mershon
1994 Rick Norford
1993 Howie Emerson
1992 Ken Mead
1991 Joe DeJesus
1990 Rick Norford
1989 Jerry Woodward
1988 Sarah Allebach
1987 Jerry Stansberry
1986 Joe DeJesus
1985 Bill Baker, Sr.

Gertha & James Hancock Memorial Award

This award was retired in 2023.

2023 Award was retired in 2023
2022 Corey Vaughn
2021 Jim Powell
2020 (not awarded)
2019 Karen Melnik
2018 TG Powell
2017 Chip Shand
2016 Al Harris
2015 Kevin Driggers
2014 Wick (Wilson) Merchant
2013 Jonathan Thacher
2012 Ralph Hall
2011 Peggy Harris
2010 Marie Fields
2009 Ron Ramsey
2008 Ann Lohr
2007 Kathy Roach
2006 Roger Hammel

TOMMY KELLY, JR. MEMORIAL AWARD

This award is presented to the best overall male and female skier in the Eastern Regional Tournaments based on total NOPS score.

2023 Alexia Abelson/Jake Abelson
2022 Alexia Abelson/Jake Abelson
2021 Alexia Abelson/Ty Robbins
2020 Ava Cole/Ty Robbins
2019 Emma Davis/Jake Abelson
2018 Emma Davis/Quinn Haines
2017 Sage Pottbecker/Brody Keller
Also recognized Cameron Davis/Jake Abelson
(highest NOPS but as G1/B1 only 2-event)
2016 Emma Davis/Brody Keller
2015 Sara Lemley/Quinn Haines
2014 Ashley Robbins/Chris Driggers
2013 Ashley Robbins/Quinn Haines
2012 Quinn Haines/Becky Bartlett
2011 Jon Paulovich/Jessie Dobbertin
2010 Ashley Robbins/Chris Goodhue
2009 Jon Paulovich/Jazmine Mosley
2008 Lauren Barney/Jonathan Paulovich
2007 Alex Lauretano/Paul Bellucci
2006 Jon Paulovich/Alex Lauretano
2005 Alex Lauretano/Blake Alessandroni
2004 Don Henderson/Alex Lauretano
2003 Don Henderson/Natalie Hammel
2002 Don Henderson/Natalie Hammel
2001 Don Henderson/Ginger Jorden
2000 Jena Hinman/Tom Hinman
1999 Jena Hinman/Gordon Gay
1998 Don Henderson/Natalie Hammel
1997 Benny Lohr/Susie Lohr
1996 Don Henderson/Susie Lohr
1995 Gordon Gay/Susie Lohr
1994 Benny Lohr/Ginger Jordan
1993 Bob Hughes/Susie Lohr
1992 Bob Hughes/Susie Lohr
1991 Bob Hughes/Kelly Hunt
1990 Benny Lohr/Brenda Nichols
1989 Benny Lohr/Kristen Carroll
1988 Bob Hughes/Vicki Sarig
1987 Bob Hughes/Bea Debus
1986 Don Henderson/Bea Debus
1985 Chip Debus/Brenda Nichols
1984 Mark Masiello/Sherron Hill
1983 Tom Kelly, Sr./Sherron Hill
1982 Todd Jameson/Sherron Hill

Ken Mead Memorial Award

This award is presented to the Men III or above skier who exemplifies Ken’s values and love for waterskiing. Award was retired in 2021.

2021 Matt Byrne (award was retired after 2021)
2019 Don Nichols
2018 Billy Cirilli
2017 Bruce Epstein
2016 John Autore
2015 Wick Merchant
2014 Bob Morris
2013 Russ Cole
2012 Bill Cooper
2011 George Vosburgh
2010 Hutch Haines
2009 David Robbins
2008 Doug Robbins
2007 Mike Adams
2006 Lee Gottschalk
2005 Dave Wiley
2004 Louis Abel
2003 Ken Crofton
2002 Al Luck
2001 Steve Lohr
2000 Gordon Gay
1999 Don Henderson
1998 Bill Mahan
1997 Bill Baker, Sr.
1996 Lee Mershon
1995 Jimmy Mandolis
1994 Tom Hinman
1993 Bud Raley
1992 Bill Lohr

Al Tyll Award

For the highest score in Tricks at the Eastern Regionals

2023 Alexia Abelson/Jake Abelson
2022 Alexia Abelson/Jake Abelson
2021 Cameron Davis/Jake Abelson
2020 Alexia Abelson/Jake Abelson
2019 Susie Davis/Jake Abelson
2018 Emma Davis/Jake Abelson
2017 Susie Davis/Jake Abelson
2016 Susie Davis/Randy Cole
2015 Susie Lohr/Quinn Haines
2014 Sara Lemley/Quinn Haines
2013 Susie Lohr Davis/Quinn Haines
2012 Ashley Robbins/Randy Cole
2011 Ashley Robbins/ Kevin Jack
2010 Ashley Robbins/Blake Allesandroni
2009 Jazmine Mosley/Jon Paulovich
2008 Julie Harris/Kevin Jack
2007 Alex Lauretano/Kevin Jack
2006 Alex Lauretano/Johathan Paulovich
2005 Sara Roach/Lee Gotschalk
2006 Natalie Hammel/Richard Abelson
2003 Natalie Hammel/Brett Patten
2002 Natalie Hammel/Brett Patten
2001 Natalie Hammel/Brett Patten
2000 Keith Dishman

Alan Rossi Memorial Award

Presented each year to the skier and/or official who best exemplifies the spirit of Alan Rossi: “The Real Deal, a love of the sport, enthusiasm and dedication to tournament water skiing, an interest in helping others, and a true friend.”

2023 Rebecca Bartlett
2022 Scott Behner
2021 Chip Jones
2020 Tonya Maurer
2019 Paul Myers
2018 Bruce Epstein
2017 Darlene McCormick
2016 Skip Hommel
2015 Randy Youngsma
2014 Mike Tilton
2013 Russ Cole
2012 David Allen
2011 George Vosburgh
2010 Dave Robbins
2009 Ed Brazil
2008 Bill Swaffield
2007 Howie Emerson