The WWA Nationals kicked off yesterday and will go until Sunday. Out of the 56 competitors in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a lot of them were local. 10 of the 15 local riders advanced past the opening rounds.
"It's always fun to compete in front of a home crowd, things just seem more laidback that way," said La Valle, WI resident Chris Full who placed second in his heat today for the Masters division. "I did well today partly because I had my friends and family here cheering for me; it helps to have that kind of support."
Placing second and third respectively, Illinois natives Megan Ethell and Taylor McCullough both advanced past the semifinals for the 13 and under Girls division. Another Illinois native, Annie Haroldson, took third in her heat for the Amateur Women's division. Wisconsin wakeskaters Lance Duffett and Jake Loken both advanced in the Amateur Wakeskate division. Loken also took third in his heat for the Men's I division. Illinois natives Nick Cankar (Men's I), Jeff Roman (Veterans), and Mike Van Patten (Masters) each advanced in their heats as well.
Jennifer GilanFarr stepped it up a notch this season in Women's Wakeskate, taking third place. She also won the Amateur Women's division so she'll be competing a lot in the upcoming days. Bethany Henderson has been killing it in Women's Wakeskate, winning ever since she showed her face in competitions.
Take a look at the semi-final scores:
Girls (13 and under) - Semi Finals   
 
Heat  01  
 
1 Raimi  Merritt     USA   58.33  
 
2 Megan  Ethell      USA   48.33  
 
3 Taylor  McCullough      USA   43.89  
 
4 Tori  Koch          USA   41.67  
 
5 Anna  Hajek        USA   35.56  
 
6 Morgan  Crescent USA   23.89  
 
7 Kaila  Coffey       USA   20.56
 
Amateur Women - Semi Finals   
 
Heat  01  
 
1 Jennifer  GilanFarr        USA        40.00  
 
2 Ashley  Gwartney           USA         30.00  
 
3 Annie  Haroldson            USA         20.00
 
Amateur Wake Skate - Semi Finals   
 
Heat  01  
 
1 Gib  Gibbons       USA   56.67  
 
2 Collin  Gee         USA   50.00  
 
3 Lance  Duffett     USA   41.67  
 
4 J.  Loken            USA   31.67  
 
5 Brad  Contardi     USA   30.00  
 
6 Justin  Payton   USA      21.67
 
Pro Women Wakeskate - Semi Finals   
 
Heat  01  
 
1 Bethany  Henderson      USA  53.33  
 
2 Megan  McNeil    USA   46.67  
 
3 Jen  GilanFarr    USA   40.00  
 
4 Stephanie  Wamsley      USA   33.33  
 
5 Renee  Jaquess    USA   28.33  
 
6 Jennifer  Hettler    USA   22.50  
 
7 Stef  Tor          CDN      16.67
 
Masters (30-39) - Semi Finals   
 
Heat  01  
 
1 Jeff  Barton        USA   58.33  
 
2 Chris  Full          USA   50.56  
 
3 Indiana  Ben        USA   43.89  
 
4 Matt  Brown        USA   34.44  
 
5 Brent  Anderson   USA   26.11
 
Heat  02  
 
1 Billy  Garcia       USA   54.44  
 
2 Mike  Van Patten USA   51.11  
 
3 Kevin  Michael    USA   48.33  
 
4 Kenneth  Smith    USA   31.11  
 
5 Chad  Lowe         USA   16.67
 
Veterans - Semi Finals   
 
Heat  01  
 
1 Ned  Johnson      USA   43.78  
 
2 Peter  Duncan     USA   33.89  
 
3 Jeff  Roman       USA    26.67
 
Men's 1 (19-24) - Quarter Finals   
 
Heat  01  
 
1 Tom  Pazerunas   USA   47.89  
 
2 Lance  Whitt       USA   43.67  
 
3 D.  Conroy          USA   39.56  
 
4 Michael  Hanson  USA   29.44  
 
5 Jon  Klein             USA  23.78
 
Heat  02  
 
1 Tyler  Heinz        USA   44.89  
 
2 Lucas  Harold      USA   44.56  
 
3 Jake  Loken        USA   39.89  
 
4 Corbin  Blanton USA      32.44
 
Finals  Heat  03  
 
1 A.J  Powell         USA   59.44
2 Clint  Gee           USA   45.44  
 
3 Nick  Cankar      USA   43.33  
 
4 Luke  Romero      USA   38.89  
 
5 Thad  Nurmi        USA   23.33
 
Heat  04  
 
1 Rusty  Scott        USA   61.44  
 
2 A.J  Haynes        USA   59.44  
 
3 Mitchell  Hays     USA   49.67  
 
4 Austin  LeMaster USA   48.33  
 
5 Nolan  Hays        USA   11.67
 
 
 
I'll post today's results shortly!