SC Locals Bringin’ Home the Hardware

By Andrea Swayne

Surfing America Prime surfers put on quite the entertaining performance Saturday at San Onofre State Park’s Church Beach, making the most of the consistent shoulder- to head-high waves with occasional overhead sets.

Competition was fierce as the lineup of elite, under 18 athletes turned in heat after heat, chock-full of progressive maneuvers and high flying airs.

When all was said and done, four San Clemente surfers were awarded a total of five trophies for their podium-worthy performances.

Griffin Colapinto was the top local finisher of the day taking the win in the Boys U16 division with a combined two-wave final score of 14.90 (out of 20). Colapinto was joined on the podium with Colin Deveze, who took third in the division.

Tia Blanco was responsible for two of the five trophies, claiming the runner-up spot in both Girls U18 and Girls U16.

Colt Ward took second in Boys U18.

The next Surfing America Prime, Event No. 3, is scheduled for December 8 and 9 at T Street in San Clemente.

Surfers under the age of 18 are invited from among the best in the nation qualifying through Surfing America member organizations’ events.  Prime athletes vie for coveted spots on the Pac Sun USA Surf Team to represent the country in international competition. Surfing America is the International Surfing Association-recognized national governing body for the sport of surfing in the United States.

For more information, including photos and updates, see www.surfingamerica.org or “like” Surfing America on Facebook at www.facebook.com/surfingamerica.

FULL RESULTS

BOYS U18: 1. Jake Marshall, 16.16, Encinitas; 2.Colt Ward, 11.54, San Clemente; 3. Tyler Killeen, 8.96, Long Beach; 4. Matt Passaquindici, 5.10, Huntington Beach.

GIRLS U18: 1. Meah Collins, 13.50, Costa Mesa; 2. Tia Blanco, 12.50, San Clemente; 3. Samantha Lamirand, 11.83, Cardiff by the Sea; 4. Danielle Wyman, 6.00, Laguna Niguel.

BOYS U16: 1. Griffin Colapinto, 14.90, San Clemente; 2. Tyler Killeen, 13.23, Long Beach; 3. Colin Deveze, 11.66, San Clemente; 4. Jake Marshall, 9.53, Encinitas.

GIRLS U16: 1. Steffi Kerson, 12.80, Pacific Palisades; 2. Tia Blanco, 8.26, San Clemente; 3. Kylie Loveland, 7.10, Carlsbad; 4. Meah Collins, 4.37.

BOYS U14: 1. Eithan Osborne, 17.67, Ventura; 2. Nick Marshall, 12.93, Encinitas; 3. Ryland Rubens, 12.23, Pacific Beach; 4. Griffin Foy, 9.13, Fullerton.