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 Women's finalists in the South Bay All Star Surf meet (left to right) Redondo High's Jill Jensen, Torrance's Karla Vogtman, Redondo's Ellin Sielcki, South's Kelly Moore, Peninsula's Christy Carrouth, and South's Erika Bracy. |
Peninsula, South dominate all star grade 'A' meet
by Kevin Cody
Their car got stuck behind a funeral procession. At least that's the story Peninsula High shortboarders Ted Travers and Chris Del Moro told coach Danny Williams when they showed up five minutes after the start of their finals heat.
Fortunately, the final heats in Saturday's All South Bay Surf League contest were 20 minutes long. That was enough time for Travers to paddle out and catch enough waves to place second, behind fellow Peninsula surfer Matt Kelly. Mike Garcia of Redondo placed third. Other finalists in the short board division, in order of finish, were South's Barry Fuson, and Peninsula's Chris Grey and Chris Del Moro
The weather was balmy and offshore, and the surf a comfortable two- to three-feet at Torrance Beach. But the waves were also very fast and walled. Walled waves generally work against longboarders, but not Peninsula's Chris Bredeson. The league's defending champion ran to the nose faster than most surfers get to their feet to repeat his first place finish. South's Shawn O'Brien placed second, followed by Peninsula's Mark Evans, Mira Costa's John Balk and Tommy Osterhoff, and South's Jason Rasmusson.
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Not surprisingly, the body board division saw the day's best surfing. South's Johnny Joseph 21 points put him in a tie with Bredeson for the day's top point earners. Other body board finalists, in order of finish, were Redondo's Vinnie Franco, South's Matt Ronan, Bishop's John Scully, Mira Costa's Steve Defoya and San Pedro's Billy Gresheim.
The women's division was won by South's Erika Bracy, followed by Peninsula's Christy Carrouth, Redondo's Ellin Sielcki and Jill Jensen, Torrance's Karla Vogtman and South's Kelly Moore.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the meet was that the top finishers in each division are also top students. Peninsula shortboarder Matt Kelly maintains a 4.0 GPA while teammate and longboarder Chris Bredesen has a 3.8. Body boarder John Joseph has a 3.2 at South and Erica Bracey has a 4.0 at South.
Peninsula, South and Redondo, the top three league finishers, will compete next month in the CISF State Championships at Oceanside.
South Torrance coach John Joseph said Saturday that the league owed much of its success this year to assistance from the Los Angeles County Lifeguard. ER