West Chester, OH. — The sport’s two premiere divisions, the Men’s Pro and Women’s Pro, completed their inaugural heats of the 2012 Nautique WWA National Championships today at Voice of America Park in West Chester. The highly-anticipated Junior Pro Men semifinals also determined riders for tomorrow’s finals.
In the Men’s Pro quarterfinals, Harley Clifford continued his season-long hot streak in the division with a run that brought a strong contingent of fans from across Ohio to their feet screaming and cheering. A plethora of big airs and impressive rail maneuvers catapulted Clifford to a heat-high score of 81.67 and secures a spot for him in tomorrow’s semifinals.
The Women’s Pro competitors also put on a wakeboarding clinic during day three. Leading the charge was Raimi Merritt, who fearlessly attacked the Nautique G23’s wake head on to launch a handful of massive airs as well as display precise rail riding skills. Judges rewarded her efforts with a division-high 76.67 score, which places her among the favorites to claim a national title with a victory in tomorrow’s finals.
“I was really excited to ride behind the G23 at Nationals today,” said Merritt. “The wake was great, I was able to ride pretty good and can’t wait for tomorrow’s six-woman finals.”
Not be overshadowed by the Men and Women Pros, the Junior Pro Men gave awe-inspiring performances for the second consecutive day. The division’s top rider, Mike Dowdy, once again showed why he is the cream-of-the-crop in the division by executing a near flawless run filled with gigantic aerials and technical rail tricks. Dowdy followed up yesterday’s perfect 100 heat-score with another division-high score of 98.00 in today’s semis to position him as the “man to beat” in tomorrow’s finals.
The Nautique WWA National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink will continue Sunday, Aug. 5 with the final day of competition. Sunday is a ticketed event. Tickets are available at the gate: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under).
Following Sunday’s finals fans can enjoy the Sony Big Air Contest. Featuring the top Pro Men riders performing massive tricks that are rarely attempted in a traditional contest setting.
In addition to all the action on the water, on land the Nautique WWA National Championships features great food and music, athlete autograph signings, chances to win freebies, and shopping from the most cutting-edge brands offering water-sports equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions.
For information on the Nautique Wake Games, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink, visit www.kingofwake.com.
The Nautique WWA National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: Correct Craft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Peavey, Mona Vie, Fox, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, PCM Marine Engines and TransWorld WAKEBOARDING magazine.
Nautique WWA Nationals Day 3 Results (Riders in bold advance)
Pro Wakeskate Semifinals Heat 1
- Danny Hampson 78.33
- Stu Shinn 65.00
- Jim Branton 43.33
Pro Wakeskate Semifinals Heat 2
- Brandon Thomas 71.67
- Brian Grubb 60.33
- Jacob Ramsdell 46.67
Junior Women Finals
- Shelby King 75.00
- Mallorie Henry 71.67
- Sofia Dinatale 58.33
- Katelyn Fenner 50.00
- Delanie Parker 41.67
- Rachel Orgill 13.33
Boys Semifinals Heat 1
- James Loisel 74.00
- Drew Rokita 48.33
- Clayton Holladay 38.33
- Ben Watts 31.67
Boys Semifinals Heat 2
- Tyler Highham 71.67
- Nicholas Brown 65.83
- Ghuenther Oka 61.67
- Bryson Hancock 48.33
- Mitch Allen 38.33
Boys Semifinals Heat 3
- Lorenzo Soprani 50.00
- Zach McCauley 36.67
- Kasey Kade 21.67
- Mitch Kappler 16.67
- Brendon Thibodeau 11.67
Junior Pro Men Heat 1
- Freddie Wayne 92.25
- Keenan Allen 90.75
- Jacob Valdez 87.00
- Joey Buss 70.00
Junior Pro Men Heat 2
- Tony Iacconi 97.00
- Christian Primrose 86.50
- Jason Soven 79.00
- Massi Piffaretti 77.50
Junior Pro Men Heat 3
- Mike Dowdy 98.00
- Noah Flegel 90.50
- Marc Kroon 75.75
- Gunnar Daft 60.00
Women’s Pro Heat 1
- Raimi Merritt 76.67
- Mellissa Marquardt 66.67
- Hayley Smith 56.67
- Corrie Dyer 46.67
Women’s Pro Heat 2
- Nicola Butler 73.33
- Amber Wing 66.67
- Dallas Friday 50.00
- Miku Asai 40.00
Women’s Pro Heat
- Meagan Ethell 74.33
- Tarah Mickacich 65.00
- Taylor McCullough 50.00
- Alexa Score 33.33
- Brooke Grassman 20.00
Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Heat 1
- Andrew Adkison 83.33
- Tony Carroll 71.67
- Jimmy Trask 53.33
- Kirby Liesmann 48.33
- Danny Harf 38.33
- Dylan Prideaux 26.67
Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Heat 2
- Shota Tezuka 80.00
- Adam Wensink 71.67
- Bryan Hutton 60.00
- Josh Palma 53.33
- JD Webb 52.50
- Dante Digangi 43.33
Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Heat 3
- Rusty Malinoski 83.33
- Aaron Rathy 75.00
- Bradley Smeele 65.00
- Pierce Homsey 46.67
- Colby Homsey 46.67
- Ryan Anderson 31.67
Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Heat 4
- Jimmy Lariche 78.33
- Jefferson Langley 71.67
- Danny Thollander 60.00
- JB Oneill 41.67
- Dean Smith 33.33
Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Heat 5
- Adam Errington 78.33
- Daniel Powers 73.33
- Steel Lafferty 71.00
- Shawn Watson 68.33
- Trevor Hansen 58.33
- Eddie Valdez 48.33
Men’s Pro Quarterfinals Heat 6
- Harley Clifford 81.67
- Austin Hair 70.00
- Oliver Derome 65.00
- Jason Bannatyne 48.33
- Gunnar Shuler 31.67
