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 Ragin Cajuns.
While Geller’s cause of death was not revealed, Water Ski Canada said the standout 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 said in a statement on Facebook. “His friends and family remain in the thoughts, hearts and prayers of many at the University.”
Geller, a native of Carp, Ontario, was 4 years old when he started waterskiing.
He was later a member of Canada’s junior national water ski team, competing at the IWWF World Championships, the Jr. US Masters Water Ski Tournament, and the Pan American Championships in 2022.
Geller became the sixth-ranked junior water skier in the world for the U21 jump, specializing 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 competitions 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 media.
“We love you so much Micky,” sophomore waterskier Annemarie Wroblewski 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 worlds and being able to continue skiing.”
The University of Louisiana-Layfayette competes in the National Collegiate Water Ski Association, where they are nine-time waterskiing champions.
“With his full throttle approach to life, Micky experienced more in his 18 years than many ever will,” Geller’s family said in an obituary. “However, he was just cracking the surface of the possibilities that lay ahead.
Geller is survived by his parents Bobbiann and Mitch, and sister Chloe.
