U.S. Athletes Win Titles At Junior Canadian Open
by Scott N. Atkinson
U.S. water ski athletes James Bryans (Jasper, Ga.), Alana Jones (Church Point, La.) and Sage Pottbecker (Morris, Conn.) won titles in respective events at the 2024 Junior Canadian Open, July 12-14, at Shalom Park in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Bryans won U21 men’s slalom, scoring 2-1/2 buoys at 39-1/2 feet off in the finals. Canada’s Evan Kraus placed second (1-1/2 at 39-1/2), followed by Ty Meeker (Farmer City, Ill.), who scored 3 at 38. Bryans also placed third in U21 men’s jump (164 feet).
Jones won U21 women’s slalom, scoring 2-1/2 at 38 in the finals. Pottbecker placed second with 2-1/2 at 35, followed by Canada’s Darah Lachance and Solie Stenger (Gettysburg, Pa.), who each scored 1-1/2 at 35. Jones also placed third in tricks (2,550 points).
Pottbecker won U21 women’s jump with a distance of 125 feet in the finals. Canada’s Megan Pelkey placed second (113 feet) and Stenger finished third (101 feet).
Chase Sparks (Dallas, Ga.) placed second in U21 men’s jump (177 feet).