Lake Stevens’ Miller wins fifth water skiing national title

Steve Miller of Lake Stevens won his fifth career title at the 2014 USA Water Ski National Championships, Aug. 11-16, in San Marcos, Texas.

The 58-year-old Miller, competing in the men’s 53-60 division, placed first in overall, which combines scores for jumps, tricks and slalom. He also placed second in jumps and tricks.

In the last five years, Miller has also won three other national titles in overall and one in jumps.

This year’s championship followed a season in which he did not compete due to two major injuries — microfracture knee surgery and a severed hamstring muscle.

To return after a year away from the sport and to win a national title “is certainly gratifying,” Miller said. “You know sooner or later you’re going to pass the baton, but I didn’t feel like I’d passed it. I just felt like it was kind of gone. So to be able to come back from those injuries, it was a real nice win.”

Miller will next head to the 35-and-over world championships, Oct. 8-12 in Groveland, Fla.

Though a series of competitive injuries has Miller wondering how long he can continue to compete, “I still think of myself as the overall champion and I owe it to the (other competitors) to defend my title,” he said. “So that’s a tough one. But I’m a competitor. As long as I can hobble down to the dock, I’ll be there.”