A top-ranked Canadian waterskier who attended the University of Louisiana-Layfayette “suddenly” died at 18 years old on May 6, the university announced.
Freshman Micky Geller studied kinesiology and marketing while he was with the national champion Ra✤gin Cajuns.
While Geller’s cause of death was not revealed, said the s🥂tandout athlete “died suddenly.”
“It is with great sadness that the University will lower the University flag to half-staff in memory of Michael Arthur ‘Micky’ Geller on Thursday, May 18,” the university . “His friends and family remain in the thoughts, hearts and prayers of many at the University.”
Geller, a native of Carp, Ontar😼io, 💟was 4 years old when he started waterskiing.
He was later a member of Canada’s junior national water ski tꦉeam, competing at the IWWF World Championships, the Jr. US Masters Water Ski Tournament, and the Pan American Champi▨onships in 2022.
Geller became the sixth-ranked junior water skier in t🌳he world for the U21 jump, s🅠pecializing in the Slalom, Trick & Jump events.
“Micky was a valued member of both The Ragin’ Cajuns Water 🍸Ski Team and Water Ski Canada,” the Ragin Cajuns water ski team said. “His love for water skiing was evident in everything he did, from his training and competiᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚtions to his interactions with his teammates and coaches.
Geller was in his first year with the team as his teammates mourned his death on social mꦚedia.
“We love you so much Miꦛcky,” sophomore waterskier said on Facebook. “He always said how glad and how proud he was to be able to go to UL and be on the waterski team with all of us. He was looking forward for U21 worl𝄹ds and being able to continue skiing.”
The University of Louisi🗹ana-Layfayette competes in the National Collegiate Water Ski Association, where they are nine-time waterskiing champions.
“With his full throttle approach to l🍌ife, Micky experienced more in his 18 years than many ever will,” Geller’s . “However, he was just cracking the surfaไce of the possibilities that lay ahead.
Geller is survived by his parents Bobbiann and Mit🅺ch, and sister Chloe.
