23 U.S. Athletes Earn Medals At IWWF World Masters Barefoot Championships

Zenon Bilas won the gold medal in Senior 3 Men slalom. File photography by Brian Heeney.

Twenty three U.S. athletes combined to earn 45 medals at the 2022 IWWF World Masters Barefoot Championships, Sept. 26-Oct. 1, in San Marcos, Texas. More than 75 barefoot water ski athletes from five countries competed in respective divisions for titles in wake slalom, tricks, jumping and overall during the six-day event. Divisions were in 10-year age increments: 35+ (Senior 1), 45+ (Senior 2), 55+ (Senior 3) and 65+ (Senior 4).

The wake slalom event consisted of athletes crossing the boat wake as many times as possible in two 15-second passes (one pass in the forward position and one pass in the backward position). Tricks competitors performed as many tricks as possible in two 15-second passes. Jumpers, who were each allowed three attempts, went for distance while leaping off an 18-inch ramp. 

U.S. athletes garnered 45 total medals, including 13 gold, 20 silver and 12 bronze.

In Senior 1 Men, Mikey Caruso (Delray Beach, Fla.) earned silver medals in slalom (16.40 points), tricks (2,100 points), jumping (74 feet) and overall (2,496.79 points); Joe Lovato (Tigard, Ore.) earned the bronze in slalom (15.80 points); Todd Fipps (Greenback, Tenn.) earned the silver in tricks (2,100 points); and David Wheeler (Lees Summit, Mo.) earned the bronze in jumping (35 feet) and overall (1,268.94 points).

In Senior 2 Men, Paul Stokes (Waunakee, Wis.) won the gold medal in slalom (13.90 points) and earned the silver in overall (1,813.95 points) and the bronze in tricks (1,750 points); and Eric Coryer (Gainesville, Ga.) earned the bronze in slalom (11.20 points).

In Senior 2 Women, Teri Jones (Orlando, Fla.) won gold medals in slalom (8.00 points), tricks (1,250 points) and overall (2,000.0 points); Heather Hartwig-Stokes (Waunakee, Wis.) earned the silver in tricks (760 points) and the bronze in overall (943.75 points); and Deanna Dean (Apollo Beach, Fla.) earned bronze medals in slalom (3.20 points) and tricks (610 points).

In Senior 3 Men, Zenon Bilas (West Palm Beach, Fla.) won the gold medal in slalom (14.20 points) and earned the bronze in overall (1,382.93 points); Jerry Kanawyer (Byron, Calif.) won gold medals in tricks (2,600 points) and overall (1,922.54 points) and earned the silver in slalom (13.10 points); Doug Cusson (Worcester, Mass.) earned the silver in tricks (2,100 points); Brian Heeney (Helena, Mont.) earned silver medals in tricks (2,100 points) and overall; and Billy Nichols (Ocklawaha, Fla.) earned the bronze in slalom (12.20 points).

In Senior 3 Women, Vicki Klein (Redmond, Wash.) earned silver medals in slalom (0.80 points), tricks (650 points) and overall (399.41 points).

In Senior 4 Men, Kevin Keith (Southbridge, Mass.) won gold medals in slalom (11.40 points), tricks (1,250 points) and overall (1,978.26 points); John Cornish (Lexington, S.C.) earned the silver in slalom (9.10 points) and bronze in overall (1,521.74 points); Jimmy Tauras (Austin, Texas) earned silver medals in slalom (9.10 points) and overall (1,798.25 points); Glenn Kinnear (Groton, Mass.) earned the silver in tricks (900 points); and Joe Knapp (Rockford, Minn.) earned the silver in tricks (900 points).

In Senior 2, 3, 4 Men Jump (combined individual event), Doug Jordan (Renton, Wash.) earned the silver (48 feet) and Danny Bray (Madera, Calif.) earned the bronze (42 feet).

In Senior 4 Women, Carol Jackson (Ocklawaha, Fla.) won gold medals in slalom (3.50 points), tricks (1,190 points) and overall (2,000.0 points).

Complete Results.