Just a month before the 4th stop of the Collegiate Wake Series, the Western Division explode adding, Sacramento State, Arizona State, Cal State Northridge, and Boise St.. In the past years, this region has been unstable only producing Chico St who has for 2 years ended up 2nd in the Nation. We returned Oregon and a small Central Washington team, but what went down at Villa Lagos this year was unexpected!

Eight teams from California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Arizona showed up ready to throw down. They brought with them a combined 80 riders. Although the beginner divisions were loaded, they produced more heavy weights then any other region.

Chico State came in ready to make another run for the top.  With 22 riders they did just that landing themselves 1st in the country. Justin Payton, Rob Way and Chad Payton swept the open division, while Travis Briscoe took 2nd in Advanced.

Arizona State drove 13 hours to prove they belong as well. They are now sitting 3rd in the country right before another new comer Sac State.  All and all, the Western Division has landed 7 schools in the top 20.

Central Washington decided on a last minute showing bringing 4 riders.  Three of them rode Advanced with Eddie Robert, team president, taking the top spot ahead of Travis Briscoe (Chico St) and JP Bray (ASU). Teammate Sean Harris, ended up 4th by 1 point behind JP Bray almost giving Central Washington 2 spots.

Overall it was an amazing day thanks to the help of Red Bull, and the Payton Family. The last rider was pulled at dark before heading to what was the wildest after party of the tour!

This division is here to stay and ready to show up strong in Las Vegas come April.

Check out the full list of winners at EMPIRE U under EmpireWake.com

The event was made possible by: Smith Optics, Ten -80, Red Bull, Alpine Stars, Buywake.com, Wet Sounds, Villa Lagos, the Payton Family,  and Eric Pettinger.

Next stop takes us to Beaumont Texas for the 5th stop of the 2011 Collegiate Wake Series!