**Pro Men and Women Open Title Bids at Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships
**
Waco, TX. — The sport’s two elite divisions, Pro Men and Pro Women, began their 2014 National Title campaigns today at the Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships at BSR in Waco. If today was any indication of what’s to come at tomorrow’s final day of competition, fans are in for a treat as the world’s best riders were nothing short of spectacular in their opening day heats.
Setting the pace for the day was Nautique Team athlete JD Webb who linked together a phenomenal run in the day’s second heat. Webb, recognized as a master of style and one of the world’s best rail riders, looked the part. The Floridian had the added advantage of riding behind his boat of choice, the Super Air Nautique G23 and did not waste the golden opportunity, winning his heat with a lethal combo of huge aerials, flawless rail riding and well executed technical grabs.
“The G23 puts out such a perfect wake, it’s awesome to get the chance to compete behind it at Nationals,” said Webb. “I’m stoked to win my heat and look forward to making a run at the finals tomorrow.”
Pro Women also were in top form on the lake at BSR in their semifinals round. Among the top performances was Meagan Ethell’s heat three run. The Nautique Team rider also leveraged her experience launching off the G23’s massive wake to cruise into tomorrow’s finals with a smorgasbord of tricks including gigantic wake-to-wake aerials, smooth rotations and stylish rail sections. Ethell’s excellent performance today comes on the heels of her Wake Park Nationals winning run last night in the Pro Women division. With a win tomorrow, Ethell will accomplish the rare feat of winning cross-discipline National Titles.
The Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships is stop number five on the 2014 King of Wake Series. Additionally, it serves as stop number two on the Nautique Wake Series, a four-event professional and amateur wakeboard and wakeskate series.
Gate prices for tomorrow’s final day of competition are: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under). For more event information, including daily schedules, tickets, results, standings, photos, videos, athlete bios and more, visit www.kingofwake.com.
Prior to tomorrow’s Pro Men’s finals, the crowd will also enjoy the CONTOUR Big Air Contest. The mesmerizing specialty event features some of the best Pro Men riders launching from a ramp to perform massive rotating aerials that are rarely accomplished in a traditional contest setting.
Pro Men Quarters Heat 1
**1. Tony Iacconi 76.67
2. Tom Fooshee 71.67**
3. Brad Teunissen 65.00
4. Austin Hair 55.67
5. Damien Adam 50.00
Pro Men Quarters Heat 2
**1. JD Webb 88.33
2. Josh Palma 74.33**
3. Adam Errington 70.00
4. Daniel Powers
Pro Men Quarters Heat 3
**1. Dean Smith 83.33
2. Phil Soven 76.67**
3. Scott Stewart 70.00
4. Gunnar Shuler 48.33
5. Danny Thollander 46.67
Pro Men Quarters Heat 4
**1. Josh Twelker 81.67
2. Massi Piffaretti 73.33**
3. Chad Sharpe 43.33
4. Shawn Watson 56.67
5. Ryan Sanders DQ
Pro Men Quarters Heat 5
**1. Jimmy LaRiche 87.33
2. Tony Carroll 85.00**
3. Stephen Pierce 71.67
4. Jeff Langley 53.33
5. Kirby Liesmann 51.67
Pro Men Quarters Heat 6
**1. Steel Lafferty 88.33
2. Keenan Allen 68.00**
3. Aaron Rathy 56.67
4. Ian Cole 36.67
5. Colby Bernier 31.67
Pro Men Quarters Heat 7
1. Danny Harf 91.33
** 2. Bob Soven 86.67**
3. Shota Tezuka 85.00
4. Jeffro House 65.00
5. Pierce Homsey 56.67
Pro Men Quarters Heat 8
**1. Rusty Malinoski 90.00
2. Oli Derome 81.67**
3. Kyle Rattray 80.00
4. Jeff Mckee 66.67
5. Adam Wensink 56.67
Pro Men Quarters Heat 9
**1. Harley Clifford 85.67
2. Noah Flegel 83.33**
3. Darin Shapiro 70.00
4. Jimmy Trask 58.33
5. John Zdeblick 46.67
Women’s Pro Semifinals Heat 1 (Top 2 advance)
**1. Raimi Merritt 73.67
2. Taylor McCullough 61.67**
3. Dallas Friday 57.33
4. Corrie Dyer 48.33
5. Raequel Hoffman 45.00
6. Girorgia Gregorio 35.00
Women’s Pro Semifinals Heat 2
**1.Amber Wing 78.33
2. Bec Gange 70.67**
3. Larisa Morales 68.00
4. Courtney Angus 62.33
5. Shelby King 56.33
Women’s Pro Semifinals Heat 3
**1. Meagan Ethell 74.00
2. Melissa Marquardt 67.33**
3. Tarah Mikacich 63.33
4. Ashley Leugner 55.00
5. Abby Delgoffe 31.67
Pro Wakeskate Semifinals Heat 1 (Top 2 advance)
**1. Reed Hansen 80.00
2. Brian Grubb 71.67**
3. Brandon Thomas 56.67
4. Cristobal Mendez 40.00
Pro Wakeskate Semifinals Heat 2
**1. Danny Hampson 70.00
2. James Balzer 61.67**
3. Aaron Reed 50.00
4. Austin Polterock 31.67
Jr. Pro Men Semifinals Heat 1 (Top 2 advance)
**1. Gunner Daft 98.50
2. James Loisel 83.50**
3. Juan Mendez 81.25
4. Joel Bartley 76.75
Jr. Pro Men Semifinals Heat 2
**1. Parker Siegele 92.25
2. Robby Holihan 84.25**
3. Tyler Higham 79.25
4. Jamie McCauley 68.50
Jr. Pro Men Semifinals Heat 3
**1. Jason Soven 97.75
2. Nic Rapa 86.75**
3. Cory Teunissen 80.50
4. Mac Schramm 75.00
