ORLANDO, Fla. – 10 amateur divisions took to the waters of the Orlando Watersports Complex today to battle for points and pride during their semifinals of the 2008 Air Nautique Wake Games. Riders not only looked to advance in their respective division, but were also vying for a spot on one of the 10 Air Nautique Wake Games teams.
 
The Jr. Men’s Division featured the largest field of riders in today’s contest with nearly 20 of the most talented young shredders in the world. Robert Soven, Harley Clifford, Jacob Valdez and Steel Lafferty each led their heats in today’s quarterfinals with Valdez posting the highest score (63.89). All four rippers will be joined by eight other riders in tomorrow’s semifinals.  
 
Six riders advanced past today’s Men’s I semifinals with Sam Thomson posting the high score (67.78). Tim Clinton led the Men’s II Division and will be joined by two other riders in Sunday’s finals.
 
The Jr. Boys Division was led today by Joe Martella. Martella will face off against Ben and Parker Watts in the finals. Kyle Evans posted the high score in today’s Boys’ semifinals with a 72.67. Evans will be joined by five other riders for Sunday’s finals.
 
Kat Laird (Masters Women), Taylor McCullough (Girls) and Morgan Cresent (Jr. Women) each led their respective heats today and will all advance to tomorrow’s finals.
 
Four riders advanced past today’s Masters semifinals with Kevin Michael posting the highest score of the division, 61.11. Steve Weisser and Matt Vermillion will both move onto the Veterans finals after advancing past today’s semifinals.  
 
Amateur riders will also have a shot to pick up some extra cash at the Air Nautique Wake Games, as Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Company (PCM) is sponsoring the PCM Amateur Best Trick Award. This award is a $500 bonus presented to an amateur rider chosen by tournament officials for landing the most impressive trick of the contest.
 
To catch all the wakeboarding action from home, tune in to Fuel TV. For exact air dates, visit www.kingofwake.com.

 

Friday, April 25 Results:
 
Girls (13 and under)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   01
  1  McCullough, Taylor                53.00
  2  Ethell, Meagan              USA  38.00
  3  Koch, Tori                         32.89
Masters Women
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   01
  1  Laird, Kat                         56.67
Junior Boys (9 and under)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   01
  1  Martella, Joe                       52.22
  2  Watts, Ben                         44.11
  3  Watts, Parker                      23.33
Boys (10-13)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   01
  1  Flegel, Noah                USA  60.56
  2  Swink, Cooper              USA  57.44
  3  Prizer, Cody                 USA  53.89
  4  Pedersen, Morgan            USA  39.33
Boys (10-13)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   02
  1  Evans, Kyle                 USA  72.67
  2  Wayne, Freddie                     57.33
  3  Harrison, Jarrod              USA  51.78
  4  Holihan, Robby             USA  39.56
 
Boys (10-13)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   03
  1  Koch, Paulie                USA  59.11
  2  Shuler, Gus                 USA  51.56
  3  Prizer, Ben                  USA  36.33
Men's 1 (19-24)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   01
  1  Heinz, Tyler                 USA  61.44
  2  Leonard, Colt               USA  61.11
  3  Hanson, Michael             USA  53.89
  4  Ward, Prescott               USA  45.56
  5  Underwood, Clayton         USA  42.22
Men's 1 (19-24)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   02
  1  Thomson, Sam                     67.78
  2  Link, Lewis                 USA  60.56
  3  Haynes, AJ                  USA  54.89
  4  Ashley, Fabian              USA  54.44
  5  Gearhart, Brad               USA  50.00
  6  Loken, Jake                         25.78
  7  Stults, Dylan                USA  13.33
Men's 1 (19-24)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   03
  1  Rivait, Dylan                       57.78
  2  Cook, Travis                USA  45.00
  3  Rodriguez, John             USA  41.44
  4  Reyngoudt, Sean                    40.00
  5  Bannatyne, Jason            USA  25.56
  6  Bivins, Trey                 USA  18.33
  7  Hanson, Hunter              USA  14.44
Men's 2 (25-29)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   01
  1  Clinton, Tim                USA  50.00
  2  Dunbar, Jesse               USA  36.67
  3  Bagnaro, Joey              USA  27.78
 
Masters (30-39)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   01
  1  Lowe, Chad                 USA  57.78
  2  Poser, Brandon             USA  47.78
  3  Barton, Jeff                   USA  40.00
Masters (30-39)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   02
  1  Michael, Kevin                     61.11
  2  Chrisman, Ben                     58.61
  3  Monaco, Anthony           USA  55.00
  4  Robertson, Kurt             NZL   50.00
  5  Hewlett, Tore                       33.33
Veterans (40 and over)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   01
  1  Vermillion, Matt            USA  61.67
  2  Weisser, Steve                      30.00
Junior Women (14-18)
         Semi Finals          Heat #:   01
  1  Cresent, Morgan            USA  51.11
  2  Hajek, Anna                USA  48.33
  3  Finley, Holland              USA  45.00
  4  Kulp, Victoria               USA  38.33
  5  Petraitis, Danni             USA  35.00
  6  Wright, Emylee                     30.56
  7  Blaschka, Megan                    26.11
Junior Men (14-18)
       Quarter Finals        Heat #:   01
  1  Clifford, Harley            AUS  60.56
  2  Perrone, Christopher        USA  55.00
  3  Valdez, Eddie                USA  46.67
  4  Kress, Taylor                USA  41.11
  5  Graydon, Alex               USA  33.33
 
Junior Men (14-18)
       Quarter Finals        Heat #:   02
  1  Valdez, Jacob               USA  63.89
  2  Burnstein, Danny            USA  56.11
  3  Shearer, Andrew            USA  48.89
  4  Homsey, Pierce                     40.00
  5  Perrone, Daniel              USA  38.89
  6  Renfroe, Taylor              USA  26.11
Junior Men (14-18)
       Quarter Finals        Heat #:   03
  1  Lafferty, Steel               USA  56.67
  2  Cohen, Julian               USA  47.78
  3  Galotifore, Nick                   37.22
  4  Jeffries, John                 USA  35.00
Junior Men (14-18)
       Quarter Finals        Heat #:   04
  1  Soven, Robert               USA  57.78
  2  Askew, Jarrod                     50.56
  3  Shuler, Gunnar             USA  42.78
  4  Connell, Mitchell                   36.67