McCullough Makes a Splash in Her Pro Tour Debut
Knoxville, Tenn. – The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour rolled in to Knoxville today to kick off its two-day season finale at Volunteer Landing. While most of the sport’s top pros were in Knoxville to wrap up the five-city tour; one newcomer however, was there to start her pro career.
Invited to compete in the season-ending contest as a wildcard, 13-year-old Taylor McCullough made her Pro Tour debut today in the Pro Women’s division.
McCullough, who’s a four-time wakeboarding national champion in the 13 and under Girls division, wanted to use her opportunity in Knoxville to gauge her skills against the world’s top pro female riders.
“I was really nervous this morning. I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said McCullough. “There are so many talented riders here. It’s a little overwhelming.”
But the Centralia, Ill. native managed to overcome her nerves during the Pro Women’s division semifinals today, laying down an impressive stand-up run that included a massive Scarecrow, Heel-side 540 and an Indy Tantrum, among many other stylish tricks.
Despite being the lowest ranked rider of the division, McCullough’s run ended up winning her heat today to beat out top seed Amber Wing and advance to tomorrow’s Pro Women’s division finals.
“I’m really excited to make it to finals,” said McCullough. “Winning my heat today definitely gives me confidence going into tomorrow.”
Should McCullough win the Pro Women’s division six-woman final tomorrow, she will tie wakeboarding legend Dallas Friday as the youngest rider to win a Pro Tour stop.
The Pro Women’s division finals are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon.
In addition to today’s preliminary rounds, the Pro Tour hosted the Rockstar Energy Drink Big-Air Kicker contest and the Overton’s Double Up Contest. Australia’s Dean Smith took home the $1,000 prize in the Big-Air contest after landing a Hootchie to Backside 360 off the kicker. Wakeboarding icon Parks Bonifay also picked up $1,000 in the Double Up contest for landing a Double Half Cab Roll.
Tomorrow’s finale will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the gate: $13 (adult); $5 (ages 6-12); free (ages 5 and under).
In addition to all the action on the water; on land, the event offers plenty of great food; athlete autograph signings; chances to win freebies; product sampling, and shopping at the most cutting-edge stores for water-sports equipment including boats, wakeboards, wakeskates, sunglasses and the latest in wakeboarding and surfing fashions. At the Pro Tour’s entertainment stage, guests can catch athlete interviews, color commentators and interactive live music.
Following the final rounds of action on the water, the public is invited to join the sport’s top pros for the 20th annual Pro Tour Awards Party, held at the Bijou Theatre on Sunday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour stop in Knoxville will air on the VERSUS television network on Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m. ET.
For more information on the MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, please visit us via Facebook www.facebook.com/kingofwake and Twitter www.twitter.com/thekingofwake.
The MasterCraft Pro Wakeboard Tour, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: MasterCraft, Rockstar Energy Drink, Overton’s, Indmar, Peavey, Billabong, Hyperlite, CWB, Ronix, Liquid Force, Byerly, Oakley, Sayiwon’t, Epiphone and YOUR MOM.
About MasterCraft
MasterCraft is the exclusive towboat for the Pro Wakeboard Tour, as it has been since the tour’s wakeboarding events began in 1992.
About Rockstar Energy Drink
ROCKSTAR is the world’s most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles – from athletes to rock stars. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available in eighteen amazing flavors: Original, Sugar Free, Zero Carb, Juiced Mango Orange Passion Fruit, Juiced Guava, Juiced Pomegranate, Tropical Punched, Punched Citrus, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Latte, Roasted Light Vanilla, Cola, Recovery Lemonade, Recovery Orange, Recovery Grape, Pink, and 2X. ROCKSTAR ENERGY SHOTS are available in Wild Berry and Tropical Punch flavors. ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available at convenience and grocery retail outlets across the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Spain, The Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Mexico, the Philippines and throughout the United Kingdom. Go to www.rockstar69.com or www.facebook.com/rockstar for athlete and event updates, videos, profiles, and product information.
About Indmar
Indmar is the world’s largest privately held manufacturer of gasoline powered inboard marine engines. Indmar Marine Engines have led the market on dependability, longevity, and performance for decades.
Saturday, August 27 Results:
Pro Women
Semifinal Round – Heat #1
1 Raimi Merritt USA 68.33
2 Melissa Marquardt USA 60.00
3 Miku Asai JPN 50.00
4 Alexa Score USA 36.67
Pro Women
Semifinal Round – Heat #2
1 Nicola Butler GBR 75.00
2 Emily Durham USA 66.67
3 Hayley Smith AUS 50.00
4 Corrie Dyer USA 40.00
Pro Women
Semifinal Round – Heat #3
1 Taylor McCullough USA 70.00
2 Tarah Mikacich USA 55.00
3 Amber Wing AUS 46.67
4 Anna Hajek USA 41.67
5 Christy Hutchins USA 35.00
Jr. Pro Men
Quarterfinal Round – Heat #1
1 Freddie Wayne USA 92.50
2 Kyle Evans USA 92.25
3 Yancey Crew USA 85.25
4 Gus Shuler USA 24.50
Jr. Pro Men
Quarterfinal Round – Heat #2
1 Dylan Prideaux AUS 100.00
2 Gordon Harrison USA 90.00
3 Joey Buss USA 62.00
Jr. Pro Men
Quarterfinal Round – Heat #3
1 Robby Holihan USA 91.25
2 Mike Dowdy USA 89.25
3 Joshua Twelker USA 87.25
4 Colby Bernier USA 72.25
Jr. Pro Men
Quarterfinal Round – Heat #4
1 Daniel Powers USA 97.75
2 Tony Iacconi AUS 92.25
3 Gunnar Shuler USA 75.75
4 Morgan Pedersen USA 74.25
Jr. Pro Men
Quarterfinal Round – Heat #5
1 Shota Tezuka JPN 100.00
2 Marc Kroon NED 86.25
3 Keenan Allen USA 82.25
4 Landon Kasey USA 71.50
Pro Men
Qualifying Round– Heat #1
1 Shaun Murray USA 71.67
2 Andrew Adkison USA 66.67
3 Stephen Pierce USA 41.67
4 Ben Perry USA 21.67
Pro Men
Qualifying Round– Heat #2
1 Dean Smith AUS 73.33
2 AJ Racinelli USA 61.67
3 Matt Sims USA 43.33
Pro Men
Qualifying Round– Heat #3
1 Shawn Watson USA 68.33
2 Kyle Rattray CAN 60.00
3 Tony Carroll USA 53.33
Pro Men
Qualifying Round– Heat #4
1 Adam Errington USA 71.67
2 Shane Bonifay USA 61.67
3 Olivier Derome CAN 56.67
Pro Men
Qualifying Round– Heat #5
1 Aaron Rathy CAN 76.67
2 Austin Hair USA 68.33
3 Zane Schwenk USA 50.00
Pro Men
Qualifying Round– Heat #6
1 Rusty Malinoski CAN 75.00
2 Jimmy LaRiche USA 63.33
3 Dante Digangi USA 35.00
Pro Men
Qualifying Round– Heat #7
1 Steel Lafferty USA 75.00
2 JD Webb USA 63.33
3 Phillip Aslinger USA 53.33
Pro Men
Qualifying Round– Heat #8
1 Bob Soven USA 83.33
2 Danny Thollander USA 55.00
3 Chad Sharpe CAN 50.00
Pro Men
Qualifying Round– Heat #9
1 Harley Clifford AUS 78.33
2 Joey Bradley USA 70.00
3 Jason Bannatyne CAN 60.00
Pro Men
Qualifying Round– Heat #10
1 Phillip Soven USA 80.00
2 Kirby Liesmann USA 60.00
3 Danny Burnstein USA 58.33
