PacSun USA Surf Team Announced At Surfing America ...
Hey everyone, I have been selected to the 2006-2007 PACSUN USA Surf team. It is quite an honor.
Thank you for your help and support,
Riley
Press Release from Surfline.com
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San Juan Capistrano, Calif., – The PacSun USA Surf Team was announced last night at the Team`s inaugural Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction in Huntington Beach. The USA Surf Team will represent the United States at the Quiksilver International Surfing Association (ISA) World Junior Surfing Championships in Portugal in May 2007, where teams from around the globe will convene to prove which country prevails. This year’s team hopes to improve on its bronze medal finish at the Junior Championships in Huntington Beach last year. Last night’s USA Surf Team Announcement and Benefit brought out celebrities, pro athletes and industry leaders to contribute money toward the USA Surf Team which ultimately boosts the development of the future of surfing in America.
The Team was selected based on their participation in the Surfing America USA Championships July 11-18 in Oceanside, as well as their performance during Team Trials this week in Huntington Beach. The Trials brought out 59 of America’s best up-and-coming talent, including past members of the USA Surf Team and special invitees from the ESA, NSSA, TGSA, WSA, and BIA. Coach Peter “PT” Townend evaluated the athletes and ultimately decided the team which includes the nation’s top junior surfers.
“This is the fourth USA Surf Team since Surfing America obtained National Governing Body (NGB) status. Our first two years were impressive, but after last years performance I thought it was time to ‘re-tool.’ Half of the 2006 team is new and I’m really excited about each and every surfer,” said Coach PT.
The following athletes, listed by division, were named to the 2006 USA Surf Team:
Under 18 Boys– Cory Arrambide - Ventura, California; Trevor Saunders - San Clemente, California; Cody Thompson - Jacksonville Beach, Florida; Kris Weirnicki - Melbourne Beach, Florida; Michael Dunphy - Virginia Beach, Virginia; and First Reserve - Jordan Gaudet - San Diego, California
Under 18 Girls – Courtney Conlogue - Santa Ana, California; Amy Nicholl - New Smyrna Beach, Florida; Sage Erickson - Ventura, California; Sarah Taylor - Huntington Beach, California; Kaleigh Gilchrist - Newport Beach, California; and First Reserve - Lexi Papilion - San Clemente, California
Under 16 Boys– Riley Metcalf - San Clemente, California; Evan Geiselman - New Smyrna Beach, Florida; Kolohe Andino - San Clemente, California; Luke Davis - Capistrano Beach, California; Evan Thompson - Jacksonville Beach, Florida; Dan Zaun - El Porto, California; and First Reserve - Nick Hagen - San Clemente, California
In addition to naming the 2006 USA Surf Team, the Terry McCann Trophies were awarded to the top finishing boy and girl surfer in each ISA event since Surfing America`s inception as NGB. The honors went to Jeremy Johnston and Karina Petroni for their medal winning performances at the 2004 ISA event in Tahiti, Tanner Gudauskas and Karina Petroni for the 2005 ISA event in Huntington Beach, and returning team members Cory Arrambide and Courtney Conlogue for the recent 2006 ISA event in Brazil.
The 2006 USA Surf Team looks to build upon their silver (2004) and bronze (2005) medal efforts claimed in the program’s first two ISA appearances--with four USA Surf Team athletes competing in each of the following divisions: Boys Under 18, Boys Under 16, and Girls Under 18. The twelve surfers above will factor into America’s point total, aiming towards a gold medal and the International Olympic Committee President’s Trophy.
“I am really happy with the re-structuring of this team, the success of the USA Championships and how well this fundraiser went tonight,” said Surfing America Executive Director Mike Gerard. “Everyone in the industry really rallied for us this year and I look forward to the future.”
In addition to competing at the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in Portugal in May 2007, the USA Surf Team members will participate in organized training sessions and programs during their term as USA Surf Team members as part of Surfing America`s ongoing commitment to preparing exceptionally talented young surfers for a future career as a professional surfer.