“I’m super stoked to win the Nautique WWA National Championships,” said Clifford. “This is the largest wakeboard event in North America and to know I came in and put in my best effort to claim the title is awesome.
Approximately 325 athletes from across North America competed against one another for a National Championship during five days of intense competition while the pros in both the Wakeboard World Series and the Wake Park World Series went head to head to determine the best. With 44 different championship titles up for grabs it was a great event
The first day of finals was highlighted by Tyler Sommer, who put together three amazing runs to take home three championships in the Junior Men (14-18), Amateur Wakeskate and Amateur Wakeskate Cable divisions.
The riders in the Boy’s (10-13) class put on a great show as Fynn Bullock Womble laid down a great run just beating Kevin Duffy.
Mary Morgan Howell had an amazing pass to claim the Girls (10-13) title over the undefeated Hollie Waldrop.
After awarding 37 Amateur National titles it was time for the pros to take to the water. Only one rider from each heat would advance, and team Nautique comprising of athletes Kyle Rattray, Bob Soven, Noah Flagal and Jimmy LaRiche were among the 12 that would move on to the next round.
As the field vying for the top spot continued to shrink, the quality of the riders’ runs continued to improve. Putting down the best runs and claiming the No.1 seeds in their Men’s Professional Feature semi-final heats were Nautique athlete Bob Soven and his brother Phillip. Joining them in the finals is Austin Hair, Dean Smith, Nautique’s Noah Flegel, and Harley Clifford.
After the semis the Rockstar Energy Kicker Best Trick Contest took over the park. At the end it was Brenton Priestley who landed a massive Method to Blind to claim the victory
So onto the finals. The Pro Women’s division saw Nautique rider Meagan Ethell battle Dallas Friday for the title while in the Jr. Pro Men it was Nic Rapa claiming the championship. In Pro Wakeskate, Reed Hansen nailed his run to take the victory.
“Words can't describe the feelings I have right now,” said Rapa. “It's literally off the charts! I’m pumped to be crowned U.S National champion in Junior Pro and not only that, but finish 1st overall in the Nautique Wake Series! I can’t thank everyone enough for all the support.”
Over to the Wake Park World Series, the traditional cable Pro Men’s Finals pitted riders in head-to-head competition with Tom Fooshee coming out on top after he posted stellar runs. In the Pro Women final it was Meagan Ethell again, claiming the win.
All in all, the Nautique WWA National Championships featured five days of intense competition at the Miami Watersports Complex with riders providing some of the most challenging and innovative runs in the history of the sport, and we can't wait for years to come.
Photos: © WWA
Source: http://www.thewwa.com
