POLK CITY, Fla. — The U.S. Junior Water Ski Team and four U.S. independent junior water ski athletes will compete at the Junior Water Ski World Championships, Jan. 7-12, in Santiago, Chile. Athletes and teams from around the world will vie for titles in slalom, tricks, jumping and overall at the biennial event.


The U.S. Junior Water Ski Team consists of Danyelle Bennett of Zachary, La.; Morgan Pavur of Santa Fe, Texas; Brody Reid of Jerseyville, Ill.; and Joy Todd of Pierson, Fla. The U.S. Junior Water Ski Team will be accompanied by coach Rhoni Barton of Orlando, Fla.;, team manager Mike Meek of Albany, Ohio; and team physician Ken Wallace of Palm Harbor, Fla. The U.S. Junior Team was chosen based on performances last July at the 2002 U.S. Water Ski Team Trials.


Individual competitors at the Junior Water Ski World Championships include Cale Burdick of Danville, Ind.; Ian Trapp of Canyon Lake, Calif.; Mandi Williams of Ozark, Mo.; and Tomlin Wilson of Minden, La.


"Based upon the success of the U.S. Junior Water Ski Team at the Pan American Water Ski Championships, I am confident in its ability to succeed at the Junior Worlds," said Steve McDermeit, USA Water Ski's executive director. "Each of our junior athletes has excelled under the pressure of international competition in the past, and I look forward to equally impressive performances at the world level."


The U.S. Junior Water Ski Team recently secured the team title at the 2002 Pan American Water Ski Championships, held Nov. 27-Dec. 1 at the same site. Todd finished first in Junior Girls' jumping (138 feet) and overall (2,906 points), and third in tricks (5,120 points). Bennett finished first in Junior Girls' tricks (6,180 points) and third overall (2,694 points), and Pavur finished first in Junior Girls' slalom (2 at 35 off). In the Junior Boys' division, Reid placed first in jumping (170 feet) and second in slalom (2-1/4 at 38 off).