Taking One for the Team: SSS Middle School Competition at Oceanside Pier

SSS middle-schoolers meet for event No. 4, Feb. 20 at Oceanside Pier, local surfers excel in both team and individual competition

By Andrea Swayne

An inherently selfish sport, surfing is most often all about the performance of the individual. But for area Scholastic Surf Series competitors, the joy of working together for the glory of the team is both a part of the challenge and of the fun.

SSS Orange County middle school team surfers were treated to summer-like weather and fun 4- to 6-foot waves for event No. 4 at Oceanside Pier on Feb. 20, giving it their all, not only to make late season climbs in individual ranks but in an inspired effort to help their teams to victory.

“It was a welcome change to have some summer weather in February after some brutal El Niño conditions in the early part of the season,” said Carolyn Krammer, SSS competition director. “The kids had a great time displaying their talent throughout the event.”

Shorecliffs Middle School held on to their No. 1 ranking, fielding the dominant teams in both Division 1 and Division 2 team competition. Bernice Ayer Middle School claimed the runner-up position in both divisions. Marco Forster Middle School narrowly missed third in Division 1, 122 to 123.5 behind Thurston Middle School. In Division 2, team Dana Point claimed the third-place spot and Marco Forster Middle School finished in fourth place.

In Division 1 Boys Shortboard individual competition, five of six finalists were Shorecliffs athletes. Nicholas Coli, Kai McPhillips, Myles Biggs and Taj Lindblad locked up first through fourth places, respectively. Kiko Nelson from Thurston Middle School claimed the No. 5 spot and the sixth-place trophy went to Shorecliffs’ Max Beach.

Division 1 Girls Shortboard top honors went to Jayme Linnes of Vista Del Mar Middle School  (her second win of the season) and the Coed Bodyboard win went to Eian McMillen of Niguel Hills Middle School.

In Division 1 longboard competition, McPhillips was the Boys Longboard winner and Hana Catsimanes, also from Shorecliffs, was the girls’ winner.

Three of the four Division 2 wins were claimed by Shorecliffs surfers. Jimmy Wynne took top honors in Boys Shortboard, Ty Connelly in Boys Longboard and Taylor Stacey in Girls Longboard. The Division 2 Girls Shortboard victory was claimed by team Dana Point’s Cora Nordheim.

To see a full list of team and individual rankings, visit www.surfsss.org.

SSS OC Middle School competition is set to continue, with event No. 5 on March 6 at the San Clemente Pier.

RESULTS:
Scholastic Surf Series, OC Middle School, Event No. 4, February 20, Oceanside, Pier

TEAM DIVISION 1:

1. Shorecliffs, 258
2. Bernice Ayer, 150.5
3. Thurston, 123.5
4. Marco Forster, 122
5. Niguel Hills, 79.5
6. Vista del Mar, 79
7. Don Juan Avila, 44.5

BOYS:

1. Nicholas Coli, Shorecliffs
2. Kai McPhillips, Shorecliffs
3. Myles Biggs, Shorecliffs
4. Taj Lindblad, Shorecliffs
5. Kiko Nelsen, Thurston
6. Max Beach, Shorecliffs

BOYS LONGBOARD:

1. Kai McPhillips, Shorecliffs
2. Cole Thompson, Bernice Ayer
3. Kiko Nelsen Thurston
4. Riley Kraatz, Bernice Ayer
5. Matt Economos, Shorecliffs
6. Jack Keefe, Shorecliffs

GIRLS:

1. Jayme Linnes, Vista Del Mar
2. Ryann Daly, Marco Forster
3. Tess Booth, Thurston
4. Reese Hartnett, Shorecliffs
5. Makayla Moss, Shorecliffs
6. Zoe Mortenson, Shorecliffs

GIRLS LONGBOARD:

1. Hana Catsimanes, Shorecliffs
2. Alexis Morgan, Shorecliffs
3. Tess Booth, Thurston
4. Alexis Alston, Marco Forster
5. Mason Gray, Niguel Hills
6. Camryn Harrell, Vista del Mar

COED BODYBOARD

1. Eian McMillen, Niguel Hills
2. Spencer Collins, Thurston
3. Liam Gillon, Marco Forster
4. Gavin Whitehead, Niguel Hills
5. Chris Earley, Don Juan Avila
6. Elijah Tomlinson, Shorecliffs

TEAM DIVISION 2:

1. Shorecliffs, 140
2. Bernice Ayer, 62
3. Dana Point, 42
4. Marco Forster, 29

BOYS:

1. Jimmy Wynne Shorecliffs
2. Chandler Petri, Shorecliffs
3. Liam Mateer, Shorecliffs
4. Tyler Douglas, Bernice Ayer
5. Joey Madison, Shorecliffs
6. Hayden Millerick, Shorecliffs

BOYS LONGBOARD:

1. Ty Connelly, Shorecliffs
2. Caden Evans, Shorecliffs
3. Tommy Coleman, Shorecliffs
4. Nathan Langer, Bernice Ayer
5. Nathan Tolosa, Bernice Ayer
6. Griffin Glenn, Bernice Ayer

GIRLS:

1. Cora Nordheim, Dana Point
2. Bryn Kurt, Marco Forster
3. Carolyn Sachse, Shorecliffs
4. Nicole Economos, Shorecliffs
5. Reese Dewey, Shorecliffs

GIRLS LONGBOARD:

1. Taylor Stacy, Shorecliffs
2. Cora Nordheim, Dana Point
3. Emily Schad, Bernice Ayer
4. Felicia White, Marco Forster