By Ashley Weaver
Staff Writer
Despite a valiant effort, seniors Alex Fry and Zach Rosenberg were unable to ride the wave to victory.
Mira Costa sufers competed in the All-Star Bay League Championships on May 15 for their final competition of the season at 26th Street in Manhattan Beach.
Seniors Alex Fry, Zach Rosenberg and Chad Parks, junior Shane Moseley and sophomores Joey Samuelian and Daniel Boos all entered.
“The waves were amazing and everyone was surfing great,” Fry said. “We all pushed each other to new levels. I am so proud of what this team has accomplished this year.”
The sufers came out strong in the beginning of the first round with aggressive paddle battles for set waves and critical cutbacks. Moseley competed in the wave-starved heat and placed third. Parks, Boos, and Samuelian placed second in their heats. Rosenberg and Fry both placed first in their heats as well, which helped the seniors move onto round two of the competition.
“The energy was up and really positive,” Rosenberg said. “We went into the competition united and hopeful.”
Rosenberg and Fry both placed first in round two and advanced straight to the final. Boos and Samuelian both secured a spot while Parks and Mosely fell short. “After getting a set wave to start off my heat that had good shoulder, it boosted my adrenaline,” Rosenberg said. “I was feeling confident once my heat was over.”
Long lulls and lots of closeouts made the reparcharge challenging for both Boos and Samuelian. They were unable to get the backup needed, which resulted in them placing fifth and sixth.
“The current was very strong during the competiton pushing the other competitors and myself all the way down, out of the contest zone, [which] forced us to get out [of the water] and run back down the beach to get back in the heat area,” Fry said.
With only Fry and Rosenberg left in the second round, they both battled for the first place spot, but fell short in wave scoring to senior Parker Browning of North Torrance. Rosenberg and Fry placed second and third, respectively, out of thirty-six competitors.
“I was pleased with the outcome, but if the current had been less strong in the final I would have gotten to catch a backup wave,” Fry said. “Next time I’ll predict the conditions better, for sure.”
The Mustangs are hoping to come back stronger for Nationals on June 15 and 16 in Salt Creek, Dana Point. Rosenberg, Fry, Parks, Boos, Samuelian and several other members of the Mustang surf team will compete for the title of National Champion.
“Our boys were by no means out surfed. Parker Browning just landed one of the half dozen air reverses he threw and was rewarded with a nine,” Geller said. “Costa managed to put multiple surfers into every boys and girls final and won three of those four. It was a fantastic end to a very long, difficult year.”
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