Date: 8/23/01
Author: WS&M Press Release

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Orlando, FL - Over fifty amateur wakeboarders competed at Orlando Watersports Complex on Thursday for the title of Mountain Dew WWA Wakeboarding National Champion, part of the Vans Triple Crown of Wakeboarding Series.

Competitors in Thursday's final rounds survived Wednesday's qualifying rounds to vie for the honor of National Champion as well as a spot in the Vans WWA World Championships, taking place at Lake Elsinore, California September 27-30. In all, nine National Champions were crowned on Thursday in amateur age divisions, ranging from under 10 to over 40. All divisions were pulled by Correct Craft's Super Air Nautique wakeboard boat.

Notable Orlando wakeboarders who faired well in the Nationals include Robert "Tadpole" Soven, who won his second Jr. Boys National Championship, and Jeff Barton, the Editor of Wake Boarding Magazine, who finished second in the Masters Finals.

Some of the best competition of the day occurred in the Men's I, Men's II and Open Men's divisions. Many of these athletes have the tools to be pros, but not the competitive experience to jump to the next level.

In the Men's divisions, wakeboarders came from across the country to Orlando Watersports Complex. North Carolina native Brandon King stomped his two passes to earn the Open Men's title. Rick Knott will be taking his Men's II National Championship back to Idaho.

Men weren't the only ones ripping up the wakes at OWC this week. A very strong female contingent fought for National amateur titles as well. Tamara Moores of California, Tiffany Landry of Mississippi and Megan McNeil of Washington were victorious in the Finals of the Girls division, the Amateur Women's division and Jr. Women's division respectively.

The amateur divisions are a prelude to the action set to take place on the weekend. On Friday, the professionals hit the water to compete for $50,000 in prize money and a spot on national television in NBC's broadcast of the Mountain Dew WWA Wakeboard National Championships, to be aired September 9 at 1 p.m.

Thursday's Results

Men I Semifinals (top four in each heat advance to finals)

Heat # 1
1. Matt Hickman (OR) - 58.22
2. Chris Laske (MI) - 57.56
3. Eric Miller (PA) - 56.11
4. Josh Sarkela (SC) - 44.11
===
5. Brian McBride Jr - 42.11
6. Spencer Smith (OH) - 20.33

Heat # 2
1. Donald Shelbrick - 52.33
2. Nyker Sheldon (TN) - 48.89
3. Sam Wideman (UT) - 47.50
4. Brad Federspiel (FL) - 47.00
===
5. Evans MacDowell (FL) - 30.89
6. Brent Starr (WA) - 23.89

Girls Finals (all go to Worlds)
1. Tamara Moores (CA) - 53.67
2. Amber Hansen (FL) - 47.44
3. Liquid Liz Gardner (FL) - 45.33
4. Chelsea Szegidewicz (GA) - 39.00

Amatuer Women Finals (all go to Worlds)
1. Tiffany Landry (MS) - 44.56
2. DanaStarr Cubic (CA) - 42.78
3. Tristan Seley (FL) - 39.67

Jr Women Finals (all go to Worlds)
1. Megan McNeil (WA) - 59.44
2. Marie Poteete (IL) - 53.22
3. Kimberly Cummings (FL) - 39.44

Jr Boys Finals (all go to Worlds)
1. Tadpole Soven (FL) - 64.44
2. Robert Southworth (LA) - 63.22
3. Casey Dorner (FL) - 53.33
4. Conner Elward (CA) - 39.33

Veterans Finals (all go to Worlds)
1. David Cornwall (FL) - 60.89
2. Delbert Osborn (FL) - 58.78
3. William Chancellor (WA) - 41.89
4. Joe Pearson (CA) - 35.56
5. Douglas Kolb (MO) - 30.22

Masters Finals (all plus two semifinalists go to Worlds)
1. Billy Garcia (TX) - 65.22
2. "J B" Jeff Barton (FL) - 60.44
3. Jeff Crouch (SC) - 58.33
4. Dave Briscoe (FL) - 54.56
5. Robert Moore (AR) - 53.00
6. Anthony Armstrong (AL) - 49.44
7. Pat McElhinney (TX) - 48.67
8. Mark Roberts (FL) - 24.00

Ned Johnson (FL) - To worlds from semifinals
Scott Harwood (FL) - To worlds from semifinals

Open Men Finals (all plus two semifinalists go to Worlds)
1. Brandon King (NC) - 58.22
2. Tim Clinton (FL) - 54.89
3. Kristopher Northrup (FL) - 53.67
4. Brian Francis (AZ) - 52.78
5. Nick Ennen (WA) - 51.22
6. Austin Langston (NC) - 49.89
7. Brad Holland (NC) - 40.56
8. Matthew Gudeman (IN) - 39.67

Juan Carreon (CA) - To worlds from semifinals
Kevin Rohan (FL) - To worlds from semifinals

Men II Finals (all plus two semifinalists go to Worlds)
1. Rick Knott (ID) - 64.89
2. Damien Klaas (CA) - 57.11
3. Geno Yauchler (FL) - 46.89
4. Kurt Robertson (FL) - 46.00
5. Dayle Cartwright (FL) - 45.00
6. Michael Hook (KY) - 44.56
7. Bradley Ward (TX) - 43.44
8. Bill Boston (MI) - 42.56

Kevin Michael (FL) - To worlds from semifinals
Brent Anderson (MN) - To worlds from semifinals

Men I Finals (all plus four semifinalists go to Worlds)
1. Donald Shelbrick - 64.78
2. Chris Laske (MI) - 61.56
3. Nyker Sheldon (TN) - 59.11
4. Brad Federspiel (FL) - 57.67
5. Matt Hickman (OR) - 56.67
6. Eric Miller (PA) - 51.44
7. Josh Sarkela (SC) - 41.00
8. Sam Wideman (UT) - 36.33

Brian McBride Jr - To worlds from semifinals
Evans MacDowell (FL) - To worlds from semifinals
Brent Starr (WA) - To worlds from semifinals
Spencer Smith (OH) - To worlds from semifinals

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