MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Football season begins this Saturday, but waterskiing season is also coming to an end because summer is also coming to an end.

This summer, fourth-grader Riley Fillmore reached the podium at the national level in sports.

“It was a lot of fun because I’ve never made it to the podium before,” said Fillmore.

Fillmore won silver in the slalom portion of the Goode Waterski National Championships in Arvin, California. She also placed third overall.

It was an experience that gave Riley a lot of confidence.

“I’m usually nervous at tournaments, and when I’m nervous I usually feel pretty bad,” Fillmore said. “But then when I actually get in the water and ski, I usually feel a lot better.”

Water skiing is a family affair for the Fillmores.

“My dad used to ski, and we moved here and he bought a lake and wanted us to try it,” Fillmore said.

Even though summer is over, Fillmore says she will continue training.

She is starting to learn tricks on skis, but her absolute favorite is still slalom skiing.

“With a ski, both feet are on one of the skis, and it’s just one,” said Fillmore, demonstrating how she aligns her feet on the board to slalom. “I’m left-handed, so I put my left foot forward and then my right foot back.”

Fillmore says she can see herself continuing to water ski for a long time, but wants to focus on school for now.

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