SWEETWATER-The fountain of youth has long been searched for and sought after. A Sweetwater resident may have found the key.

John Seiler has continued to defy the odds, and at 54 has been inducted into the Tennessee Water Ski Hall of Fame.

"I started when I was 17, and just kept going," said Seiler.

Seiler has been rec­ognized not only for his contribution to the sport as a competitor, but also for what he has done since then. Seiler is still heavily involved as a senior driver and a judge as well.

Though his actual career and involvement in the sport has spanned three-plus decades, Seiler described his reaction to his nomina­tion to the hall in one word: "shocked."

Though Seiler may have been surprised, the folks over at the Tennessee Water Ski Hall of Fame knew what they were doing in elect­ing a man who has been good for the sport and plans to continue doing so.

The best part for Seiler is seeing the younger groups attempt to do great things.

"That's why I drive for the kids. This is an ener­gizing sport and really a family sport," said Seiler.

Hard work and dedication to some­thing may not add more youth to your life, but it will give you something to be proud of. Seiler is proof of that.