WATERSPORTS BY ANDREA GAYTAN

Wakeboarding’s rising star is one to watch in 2021.

At the 2020 World Wakeboarding Championships, 17-year-old Mary Morgan Howell defeated world champions Dallas Friday, Bec Gange and veteran pro Tarah Mikacich to finish in second place behind the defending champion, Meagan Ethell.

The native of Dothan, Alabama, was first introduced to the lake life by her father, an orthodontist, who used to pull her on an inner tube in Compass Lake, Florida.

“My dad first strapped me on a wakeboard when I was 6,” Howell says. “I honestly don’t know life without it. When I was 8, my dad entered me into my first INT tournament. I remember being so nervous standing on the dock, waiting for my turn to come.”

Howell performed her first invert—a front roll—at age 10, shocking the crowd.

“In order to further my training and allow me to have some travel flexibility, my parents decided to home-school me,” she explains. “In my house, school always comes first, so the deal was: Get your work done first, then go ride. Talk about some motivation.”

Her dad planted the seeds of self-discipline, leading by example, and has been her boat pilot from day one.

“He gets up early and pulls me no matter what,” Howell says.

She gushes at her father’s commitment and dedication, which includes almost stalking former world champion Andrew Adkison until he agreed to become Howell’s personal coach, which he has been ever since. He’s helped her build a strong and solid foundation by keeping her safe from injuries with his coaching skills.

Howell turned pro in 2018, becoming the new Body Glove Girl (although Ronix had supported her with equipment earlier).

“That was definitely cool,” she admits. “To be named the new Body Glove Girl is an absolute dream. I think Body Glove is an amazing company, and I couldn’t be more honored to join the family.”

Her outstanding lean and strong physique comes from a devotion to hard work in and out of the water. Her regime includes working out, stretching and healthy nutrition.

“I truly believe how you train and fuel your body off the water is pivotal to your performance on the water,” Howell says. “I always try to eat foods that fuel me and make my body feel good for training.

“This looks different for every person because everyone’s body is unique. Find what works for you and stick with it. As far as training off the water, I do a combination of yoga, pilates and strength training.”

Wakeboarding has made Howell a world traveler. “I’ve had the privilege of traveling to Mexico, Peru, Canada, Australia, Portugal and Japan,” she says. “Also, I’ve traveled to many amazing places right here in the US.”

By next fall, the 18-year-old, who credits her Christian faith as a source of strength, plans to move to Winter Park, Florida, where she enrolled as a freshman at Rollins College.

“I’m working on lots of big things for the 2021 season,” Howell hints. “I can’t wait.”

Neither can we.