Reece (R.J.) Teter is Awarded the 2025 Elmer Stailing-Southern Region Scholarship

Reece (R.J.) Teter from the University Of Notre Dame has been awarded the $2,000

Elmer Stailing/Southern Region Scholarship.

"I have learned valuable life lessons, on and off the water, from the Southern Region water ski community and I am honored to be selected for the Elmer Stailing Scholarship.  This scholarship will help me pursue my goal of becoming a Marine Corps Officer through the University of Notre Dame NROTC program."  says Reece.

I look forward to joining the ND Water Ski Team and hope to introduce more students to this sport that I love.

In 2015, I skied my first tournament at Ray Crenshaw’s lake in Toccoa, Georgia—and I was instantly hooked. That day, I remember being handed a donut when we arrived, fishing off the dock, and missing the gate pull-out (I had never entered a course after a turn before). Despite the mistakes, it was the start of something special.

Two years later, I stood on top of the Boys 1 podium at Southern Regionals and made my first trip to Nationals in Texas. Since then, waterskiing has taken me to Nationals many times and even to the U17 World Championships in Canada. Along the way, I’ve built friendships with skiers from across the U.S. and around the world, California to Chile, France to Florida. But some of my closest friendships were made at that first Regionals, and they’ve lasted ever since.

In recent years, I’ve had the chance to give back by helping host Regionals at my home site, LymanLand. I wasn’t in charge, just a dock worker and assistant—but I did everything from swapping buoys and moving ramps to fishing tents out of the lake after storms. My favorite part was working the dock during the Boys and Girls 1 slalom event, helping young skiers prepare just like I did in 2017. One skier was even Nate Crenshaw, bringing my journey full circle.

Waterskiing has given me more than medals. It’s given me unforgettable memories with my family and deep friendships with fellow skiers. The true beauty of this sport is in the community we build together and that’s what keeps us coming back.

The Elmer Stailing Scholarship is for an AWSA Southern Regional Competitor and qualified student who is registered in a College or University. It has been funded by the Southern Region since 1990.

The USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation is very proud of our young athletes and honored to support their future academic needs. You can help support our mission by joining or donating to the foundation.

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Established in 1968, the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Foundation celebrates the history of all towed water sports and promotes these sports through our Scholarship and Collegiate Grant Programs and the USA Water Ski & Wake Sports Hall of Fame.