McCullough Captures Fourth Consecutive Title as Nautique WWA Nationals Wrap Up 11 Divisions
Minneapolis, Minn. – The quest to become the best wakeboarder in the United States ended for some today, as the 2011 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink wrapped up 11 of its 23 divisions. The top wakeboarding talent in the country gathered today on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis to vie for their respective division’s national title.
Among the 11 champions crowned today was 13-year-old Taylor McCullough, who claimed her fourth consecutive national title in the Girls division – the second highest amount of repeated wins, of any division, at the Nautique WWA Nationals. The only other rider to win more consecutive national titles is legendary female pro wakeboarder Dallas Friday, with five straight wins.
“It’s pretty cool to win four contests in row like that; not many people can do that,” said McCullough. “It’s fun to be pushed by the other girls to be a better rider and to win.”
Despite choppy water conditions and a fall during an attempted Heelside 540, the Centralia, Ill. native posted a score of 78.33 to best Shelby King and Sofia Dinatale in the three-woman final.
McCullough attributes her near record-breaking win today to her coach Mike Ferraro.
“I’ve been riding everyday and training with Mike Ferraro,” said McCullough. “It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s cool to see it pay off.”
Coincidently, Ferraro has also coached national title record-holder Dallas Friday.
McCullough, along with the other 10 national titlists, will now represent the United States at the 2011 WWA World Championships next month.
The Nautique WWA Nationals will continue tomorrow, July 29, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m.
The 2011 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is free to the public during all five days of competition. For those who cannot attend the event in person, just “like” the King of Wake’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/prowakeboardtour) to watch all the live streaming footage.
The 2011 Nautique WWA Nationals will also air on the VERSUS television network at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Thursday, July 28 – Day 2 of 5 Results:
Amateur Women Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Brooke Grassman 75.00
2 Abby Delgoffe 66.67
3 Leah Gibney 38.33
Girls Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Taylor McCullough 78.33
2 Shelby King 60.00
3 Sofia Dinatale 45.00
Adaptive Standing Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Billy Tonis 65.00
2 Mike Schultz 46.67
3 Mike Krohn 26.67
Amateur Wakeskate Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Michael Roeder 76.67
2 Jim Branton 75.00
3 Craig Buss 66.67
4 Austin Polterock 48.33
Masters Women Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Joy Manning 76.67
Veteran Women Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Allison Blaha 68.33
2 Kat Laird 61.67
3 Susan Sheehan 46.67
4 Paula Fay 33.33
Men’s I Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Taylor Kress 85.00
2 Will Green 81.67
3 John Zdeblick 68.33
4 Tyler Heinz 40.00
Men’s II Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Rob Corum 61.67
2 Chad Warren 48.33
3 Brad Gearhart 35.00
Masters Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Tim Nilsen 66.67
2 Mike Vanpatten 55.00
3 Kevin Michael 43.33
4 Steve Jones 25.33
Veterans Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Matthew Vermillion 50.00
2 Billy Garcia 45.67
3 Mark Norwell 41.67
Jr. Men Division
Final Round – Heat #1
1 Noah Flegel 78.33
2 Tim Burnier 51.67
3 Jordan Gensler 46.67
4 Nick Vaccari 36.67
5 Justin Lee 34.33
6 David Foreman 21.67
Pro Veteran Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #1
1 Perry Richmond 66.67
Jr. Boys Beginner Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #1
1 Kevin Duffy 71.67
2 Andrew Scheafer 61.67
3 Thomas Herman 51.67
4 Ryan O’Toole 46.67
5 Peyton Bristow 36.67
6 Kai Stidham 26.67
Jr. Boys Division
Semifinal Round – Heat #1
1 Kade Kasey 43.33
2 Tyler Worrall 36.67
3 Carter Mathter 30.00
4 Helden Hein 23.33
5 Benjamin brown 20.83
6 Hunter Henderson 16.67
Jr. Pro Men Division
Quarterfinal Round – Heat #1
1 Jacob Valdez 78.33
2 Kyler Green 68.33
3 Paulie Koch 58.33
4 Gus Shuler 46.67
Jr. Pro Men Division
Quarterfinal Round – Heat #2
1 Kyle Evans 75.00
2 Joshua Twelker 70.00
3 Parker Siegele 60.00
4 Trey Romine 40.00
Jr. Pro Men Division
Quarterfinal Round – Heat #3
1 Gordon Harrison 73.33
2 Pierce Homsey 63.33
3 Gunner Daft 48.33
Jr. Pro Men Division
Quarterfinal Round – Heat #4
1 Mike Dowdy 78.33
2 Tony Iacconi 66.67
3 Joey Buss 48.33
4 Gunnar Shuler 30.00
Jr. Pro Men Division
Quarterfinal Round – Heat #5
1 Freddie Wayne 71.67
2 Robbie Houlihan 61.67
3 Keean Allan 48.33
Jr. Pro Men Division
Quarterfinal Round – Heat #6
1 Shota Tezuka 71.67
2 Daniel Powers 70.00
3 Morgan Pedersen 55.00
