US Nationals

The top amateur wake athletes from throughout the United States hit the waters of the Oklahoma River in the Oklahoma City, Okla. July 8th for the first day of action at the 2009 Air Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships, presented by ROCKSTAR. The WWA Nationals is a five-day event featuring pro and amateur wakeboarders and wakeskaters, competing for U.S. national titles in 20 different divisions, separated by age and skill level. Several Oklahoma natives were among those advancing onto the finals, including Rachel Orgill, 12, of Edmond, OK and Ashley Gwartney, 21, from Jenks, OK. Gwartney and Orgill both lead their heats today in the Amatuer Women and Girls division, respectively.

Day two of the National Championships featured final rounds for eight of the divisions, crowning a new U.S. national champ for each one. In the Girls division, Taylor McCullough of Centralia, IL captured her second consecutive national title. Allison Blaha from Vista, CA took first place in the Masters Women division; as did Kentucky native Erica Dumeyer in the Amateur Women’s division.

Masters Women results: 1. Allison Blaha, 2. Elizabeth Freeman, 3. Kat Laird, 4. Geri Robertson. 

Girls Final Results: 1. Taylor McCullough, 2. Rachel Orgill, 3. Charmane Lally, 4. Delanie Parker.

Women’s Wakeskate Finals: 1. Hanh Williams, 2. Jen GilanFarr, 3. Bethany Henderson, 4. Brittany Fletcher.

 Junior Women Semi Finals: 1. Megan Blaschka, 2. Jasmine Lally, 3. Emily Wright

After the five finals wrapped-up, four other divisions hit the water, including the Pro Women’s division for their quarterfinals, with five-time U.S. national champ Dallas Friday posting the only 100-point run of the day.  Dallas Friday of Orlando, Fla. made wakeboarding history, becoming the first female rider ever to land an S-Bend in contest as well as the first female to ever 270 onto the transfer box. Following Dallas in her heat was Danni Petraitis, Corrie Dyer, and Barrett Perlman. Leading the second heat was Amber Wing with an impressive run, followed by Hayley Smith, Shawna Hoffman, Raequel Hoffman, and Tarah Mikavich. The third heat was won by Nicola Butler, followed by Raimi Merritt and Meagan Ethell.  The top two riders from each round advanced to the finals the next day.

Breaking her own record, previously set at five, Dallas Friday claimed her sixth U.S. national title  - the most won be any wakeboarder. Friday topped the podium after taking first place in today’s Pro Women’s division six-woman final. Nicola Butler and Amber Wing rounded out the podium, respectively. Jr. Women divisions also wrapped-up their riding on July 12th, Megan Blaschka claiming her respective division’s national title.

Pro Women – Final #1

1. Dallas Friday        93.50

2. Nicola Butler          89.75

3. Amber Wing           83.75

4. Haley Smith            66.00

5. Danni Petraitis         59.00

6. Raimi Merritt          48.00

Jr. Women – Final #1

1. Megan Blaschka  68.44

2. Jasmine Lally          50.56

3. Emily Wright           16.67

4. Kimberly Kirch       43.89

5. Leah Gibney           31.67

Amateur Women – Final #1

1. Erica Dumeyer        87.00

2. Ashley Gwartney        79.00

 

Girls – Final #1

1. Taylor McCullough 64.00

2. Rachel Orgill              48.11

3. Charmane Lally          40.89

4. Delanie Parker           31.89

 

Masters Women – Final #1

1. Allison Blaha           63.00

2. Elizabeth Freeman      52.56

3. Kat Laird                   51.44

4. Geri Robertson          51.22

Women Wakeskate – Final #1

1. Hanh Williams         60.00

2. Jen GilanFarr             46.67

3. Bethany Henderson    37.00

4. Brittany Fletcher         31.67