Water Ski Champ

by By Lynn Armitage | February 20, 2017

Brian Detrick ’11 began water skiing when most kids start preschool: "I was only 4 and got into competitions. I qualified for the Western Regional Championships my first year."

Detrick grew up on Shortline Lake in Elk Grove, Calif., where he lived with his parents (also avid skiers) and two brothers. For six years, Detrick was a competitive slalom skier. In his last two, he ranked No. 1 in the country, winning regional and national championships and setting a national record held for 15 years.

From age 12 to 18, Detrick shifted focus. "Skiing would always be there, so I played soccer, basketball, football, and track and field." But at Saint Mary's, he gravitated back to his childhood sport and started the first club water ski and wakeboard team. He recruited 25 members by sophomore year. The team placed seventh in regionals and narrowly missed qualifying for nationals.

In 2009, Detrick earned an open pro rating. The 6-foot-4-inch collegiate All-American racked up many skiing accolades, but the highlight of his career was becoming a world champion by winning team gold at the 2012 FISU World University Water Ski Championships in Chile.

Now at 26, Detrick works full time for Pacific Gas & Electric. "It's very difficult to make a living in this sport," he said. He continues to blaze trails on the Water Ski Pro Tour and is ranked No. 7 in the world on the 2014 Elite Skiers World Ranking List.

"I'm still in the early stages of my skiing career," Detrick said. "Hopefully, I have another 10 years on the Pro Tour."

Updated 2-20-17

In a Feb. 7 ceremony, Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove)—who received his master's in leadership from Saint Mary's in 2004—honored Detrick with an Assembly Resolution for his outstanding athletic achievements and his exemplary record of civic activities throughout his career.

Last August, Detrick won the Open Men’s Slalom competition at the 74th Goode National Waterski Championships in Caldwell, Idaho. Currently, Detrick is ranked first in California for Men’s 2 and Open Men’s Slalom, according to the American Water Ski Association.

An ambassador of the sport and enthusiastic community supporter since 1995, Detrick has volunteered his time, energy, and resources to coaching, serving as a safety swimmer, and judging various disabled waterski clinics.