She takes care of business on the water

Kelly Thees graduated from Stanwood High School in 2005. Camano Island native Kelly Thees has ended her collegiate athletic career with a splash.

The senior, attending Western Washington University, recently competed at the National Collegiate Water Ski Association’s national tournament as a member of Western’s Water Ski Club.

“Attending nationals is a huge success for our program,” said Thees. “This was our first return to the national scene in 17 years.”

Qualifying for the final show earlier this month at western regionals, the club skied their way to a third place finish in division 2 at Ironwood Ski Ranch near Bakersfield, Calf., Oct. 22-24.

As captain, Thees is excited about the team’s results.

“Competing at nationals is all about the team. That’s what makes collegiate sports special,” she said.A

lthough competition is important to Thees, the relationships she has formed with teammates and fellow competitors stand out from the rankings.

K nown as “mom”

around the boathouse, Thees developed a persona as a leader and advocate for the club.

She helped build the program by doing extensive paperwork, developing resources and finding ways to bring the team together.

“Early on, everyone seemed to come to me with their problems,” said Thees. “My job was to make everyone happy.”

Her focus on developing a close-knit family, as “mom,” helped the club transform into a national competitor, she said.

Since joining the water ski team her freshman year, the program has become more organized. As a result, the athletes can focus more on improving their skills.

Not only have the number of participants grown, over 30 new students expressed interest in joining this season, but the commitment level and talent of the skiers has developed as well, said Thees.

Last season, Thees was named “most improved” by her fellow teammates. She joined the program with a recreational skill level on the water.

“I knew how to ski going in,” she said. “I could turn and cross the wake, but my technique in all the events has improved.”

Thees competed in slalom, trick ski and long jump throughout her collegiate career.

Currently majoring in chemistry at Western, Thees would like to pursue a lifetime desire to teach.

As far as continuing with the sport, she admitted, “anything can happen.”

“I will always be around the sport,” she said. “My involvement with the club opened a whole new world.”

Thees graduated from Stanwood High School in 2005.

Her parents, Sue and Bruce Thees, live on Camano Island.

A tentative date of Nov. 10 has been set to recognize the club’s national achievement. For details on the event and more information about WWU’s water ski club, visit www.wwuwaterski. com.

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews.com.