Local dentist Joe McCreary is making waves on a national stage. Earlier this month, McCreary placed first in his category at the 2025 GOODE Water Ski National Championships just outside Bakersfield, California. McCreary has been water skiing with friends since 2005 and while he has often hovered in the top 10, this is his first time to bring home the gold. McCreary was always athletic, running track at Azle High School and Angelo State University. He picked up the hobby after recommendations by his friends Mark Byers and Alex Burdette as a way to stay active and help lower stress as he has gotten older.
“I equate it to like playing golf,” McCreary said.
“It’s something that I do with my friends probably three days a week. I train over at Marine Creek Lake, and we’ve been skiing together since about 2005.
