Page 8 - Harnett Life Summer 2021

The Eller Family from left to right: Chris, Landis, Kamryn, April

of the Year and MasterCraft Boats Pro Team Skier of the Year, and Ilmor Marine Engines, Coble Ski School Head Driver
April is also a 2018 North Carolina Hall of Fame inductee, Chris Eller sports a stellar background in both driving and wa-
Olympic Festival Gold Medalist, World University Overall ter skiing. Currently a Pro Tour driver, his behind the wheel
Champion, U.S. Nationals competitor, Jr. World Slalom and accomplishments include: the U.S. Nationals, Malibu Open,
Overall Champion and Sports Illustrated “Faces in the Crowd” MasterCraft Pro and West 55K World Elite Slalom in 2020;
celebrity. chief driver at America’s Cup and Jr. U.S. Open in 2019 and
the U.S. Nationals in 2018; the Malibu Open in 2018-19; a
Retiring from pro skiing six years ago, April competed in ama- MasterCraft Pro Team driver, the 2005 driver for the Men’s
teur classes for a few years afterward but now spends her time World Slalom Record event; and a USA Water Ski Sr. rated
coaching and instructing Coble Ski School students and U.S. driver for three events.
Ski Team skiers.
On skis, Chris’ record includes these achievements: US Nation-
Her coaching highlights include tenures with teams around the al Overall Champion; Southern Regional Jump Record Holder
country and globe: the 2021 U.S. Jr. and U21 Teams in Florida; 2010; US Nationals 2nd place Overall Finisher in 2013; Aus-
the 2018 Gold Medal World Team in Spain; the 2005 Gold tralian Moomba Masters Jump Competitor; Australian Open
Medal World Team in Germany; U.S. Jr. World Team Coach, Competitor in Slalom & Jump; a 2013 PanAm USA Waterski
from 2004 to present; 2000 Pan-American Jr. and 17-21 Elite Team Member; an N.C. State Jump, Slalom, Trick and Overall
Teams; the 2001 Pan-American Championships in Chile; and Champion; and UNC Water Ski Team captain during college
host of three United States Olympic & Paralympic Jr. Develop- at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He retired
ment Camps for USA Water Ski. Having traveled the world to from competitive skiing last year due to a neck disk herniation.
compete and coach, she still says her favorite place to ski, train
and instruct is right here at home at Coble Ski School, where April also graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and met Chris on
she has served as Head Coach since 1995. the college ski team. The water skiing pair married soon after
college and began training and working at Coble Ski School,
Under the sponsorship of MasterCraft, Connelly Skis, D3 skis which family patriarch Gary Coble bought as a training ground

Page 7 Page 8 Harnett Life ~ Summer 2021