Junior Event Kicks off Lifeguard National Championships Wednesday

CAPE MAY, N.J. (Aug. 8, 2012) — The Jersey Mike’s United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Lifeguard Championships kicked off in Cape May, N.J. on Wednesday with the National Junior Lifeguard Championships featuring young participants from USLA-affiliated lifeguard programs across the country. These future lifeguarding hopefuls, ages 9-17, competed in eight events in four age categories for individual titles. Competitors from Monmouth County, the Hamptons, Pompano Beach, Jones Beach, Sussex County, South Jersey, Long Beach, Los Angeles County and Ft. Lauderdale all won individual titles on Wednesday. The Junior Guard competition prefaced the three-day USLA National Lifeguard Championships. Results from Wednesday’s Jersey Mike’s National Junior Lifeguard Championships follow: BEACH RUN: An individual event in which Junior Guards run down, around a flag and back to a finish funnel on the hard sand. Boys AA Group (ages 16-17, 2km distance run) 1. Connor Katzmark – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 2. Clayton Adkins – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Phillip Schlegel – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Girls AA Group (ages 16-17, 2km distance run) 1. Amanda Ford – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 2. Elizabeth Price – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 3. Chloe Gutierrez – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Boys A group (ages 14-15, 2km distance run) 1. Matthew McHale – South Jersey, N.J. 2. Nick Sweeney – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. 3. Thomas Paradiso – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Girls A Group (ages 14-15, 2km distance run) 1. Paige Duca – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. 2. Sarah George – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Lucy Kolhoff – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Boys B Group (ages 12-13, 1.5km distance run) 1. Ben Bamforth – Sussex County, Del. 2. Eddie Cohen – South Jersey, N.J. 3. Patrick Russo – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Girls B Group (ages 12-13, 1.5 km distance run) 1. Sarah Brennan – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Laura Nagle – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Kathryn Phelps – Long Beach, N.Y. Boys C Group (ages 9-11, 1km distance run) 1. Patrick Kain – Long Beach, N.Y. 2. Shane Schulte – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Dominic Contella – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Girls C Group (ages 9-11, 1km distance run) 1. Madelyn Kopec – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Anna Kavanagh – Long Beach, N.Y. 3. Bryn Horner – City of Monmouth County, Fla. SURF RACE: An individual event in which Junior Guards swim out and around the two designated buoys and finish through the funnel on the beach. Boys AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Clayton Adkins – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 2. Toby Contarsy – Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association, Calif. 3. Dillon Copa – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. Girls AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Amanda Ford – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 2. Elizabeth Price – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 3. Chloe Gutierrez – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Boys A group (ages 14-15) 1. Joseph Skimmons – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Hayden Hemmens – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif. 3. Danny Yos – Los Angeles County Lakes Lifeguard Association, Calif. Girls A group (ages 14-15) 1. Kathryn Mannle – Long Beach, N.Y. 2. Jaimie Kaefer – Jones Beach, N.Y. 3. Catherine Nicpon – Long Beach, N.Y. Boys B Group (ages 12-13) 1. Nathan Yos – Los Angeles County Lakes Lifeguard Association, Calif. 2. Nicos Prokopiou – Jones Beach, N.Y. 3. Trevor Hinds – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Girls B Group (ages 12-13) 1. Sierra Koehler – Jones Beach, N.Y. 2. Katie Conte – Jones Beach, N.Y. 3. Abby Lee – Sussex County, Del. Boys C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Brenner Hinds – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Drake Bayard – Jones Beach, N.Y. 3. Ryan Burke – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Girls C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Allyson Kraff – Jones Beach, N.Y. 2. Emma Hecht – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Mia Marquez – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. RUN-SWIM-RUN: An individual event in which Junior Guards run a set distance on the beach, then swim out and around two buoys and back then finish with a second beach run. Boys AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Toby Contarsy – Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association, Calif. 2. Clayton Adkins – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Dillon Copa – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. Girls AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Amanda Ford – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 2. Elizabeth Price – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 3. Chloe Gutierrez – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Boys A group (ages 14-15) 1. Joesph Skimmons – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Kevin Fink – Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association, Calif. 3. Hayden Hemmens – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif. Girls A group (ages 14-15) 1. Jaimie Kaefer – Jones Beach, N.Y. 2. Julia Schulte – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Sarah Giuliani – Jones Beach, N.Y. Boys B Group (ages 12-13) 1. Nicos Prokopiou – Jones Beach, N.Y. 2. Nathan Yos – Los Angeles County Lakes lifeguard Association, Calif. 3. Trevor Hinds – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Girls B Group (ages 12-13) 1. Abby Lee – Sussex County, Del. 2. Sierra Koehler – Jones Beach, N.Y. 3. Katie Conte – Jones Beach, N.Y. Boys C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Brenner Hinds – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Shane Schulte – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Drake Bayard – Jones Beach, N.Y. Girls C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Emma Hecht – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Mia Marquez – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Maggie Purcell – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. BOARD RACE: An individual event in which Junior Guards paddle a board out and around designated buoys, negotiate incoming surf and finish with their board through a funnel on the beach. Boys AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Toby Contarsy – Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association, Calif. 2. Connor Katzmark – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Joseph Laneve – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. Girls AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Amanda Ford – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 2. Chloe Gutierrez – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 3. Elizabeth Price – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Boys A group (ages 14-15) 1. Hayden Hemmens – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif. 2. Kevin Fink – Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association, Calif. 3. Joseph Skimmons – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Girls A group (ages 14-15) 1. Emily Balina – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Julia Schulte – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Amanda Calabrese – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Boys B Group (ages 12-13) 1. Kelly Schulte – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 2. Trevor Hinds – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Nakai Kulik – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Girls B Group (ages 12-13) 1. Carly Drew – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. 2. Brooke baldassare – Jones Beach, N.Y. 3. Mary Kate George – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Boys C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Brenner Hinds – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Chasen Dubs – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. 3. John Valgenti – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Girls C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Madelyn Kopec – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Summer Schulte – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Megan Judge – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. IRON GUARD: An individual event in which Junior Guards swim the designated course, run to the transition area, then paddle the designated course and finish with a final run leg. Boys AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Toby Contarsy – Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association, Calif. 2. Clayton Adkins – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Dillon Copa – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. Girls AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Amanda Ford – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 2. Elizabeth Price – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 3. Chloe Gutierrez – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Boys A group (ages 14-15) 1. Hayden Hemmens – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif. 2. Joseph Skimmons – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Kevin Fink – Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association, Calif. Girls A group (ages 14-15) 1. Kathryn Mannle – Long Beach, N.Y. 2. Julia Schulte – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Emily Alina – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Boys B Group (ages 12-3) 1. Nathan Yos – Los Angeles County Lakes Lifeguard Association, Calif. 2. Trevor Hinds – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Nicos Prokopiou – Jones Beach, N.Y. Girls B Group (ages 12-13) 1. Sarah Brennan – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Sierra Koehler – Jones Beach, N.Y. 3. Carly Drew – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Boys C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Brenner Hinds – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Patrick Kain – Long Beach, N.Y. 3. Drake Bayard – Jones Beach, N.Y. Girls C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Grace Howard – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. 2. Allyson Kraff – Jones Beach, N.Y. 3. Madelyn Kopec – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. RESCUE RACE: A simulated rescues event which requires a Junior Guard “victim” and “rescuer.” Victims swim out and line up on the flag or buoy line; the rescuer races out and swims the victim to shore. The rescuer may wear fins and the victim may kick during the return. Both Junior Guards must cross the finish line with equipment in hand. AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Amanda Ford & Chloe Gutierrez – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 2. Dillon Copa & Clayton Adkins – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. James Minshull & Elizabeth Price – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A Group (ages 14-15) 1. Danny Yos & Kevin Fink – Los Angeles County Lakes Lifeguard Association, Calif. & Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association, Cailf. 2. Joseph Skimmons & Ariel Zimmerman – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Julia Schulte & Santana Sizemore – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. B Group (ages 12-13) 1. Kelly Schulte & Sloan Sizemore – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 2. Trevor Hinds & Liam Hoagland – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Carly Drew & Nina Piacentine – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Shane Schulte & Mia Marquez – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 2. Ryan Burke & Abbi Schick – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Sophia Swanson & Julia Brierley – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. SWIM RELAY: A team event made up of five swimmers in which each team member swims out and around the designated buoys and returns to the beach to tag the next swimmer. AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Amanda Ford, Joseph Laneve, Dillon Copa, Toby Contarsy & Clayton Adkins – Fort Lauderdale, Fla., City of Pompano Beach, Fla. & Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association, Calif. 2. Shannon Williams, Ryan Kain, Thomas Sullivan, Thomas Desimone & James Veccia – Jones Beach, N.Y. 3. Bradley Falcone, Connor Katzmark, Samantha Rosenberg, Chloe Gutierrez & Sarah George – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J., Boca Raton, Fla., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. & City of Pompano Beach, Fla. A Group (ages 14-15) 1. Danny Yos, Julia Schulte, Santana Sizemore, Kevin Fink & Hayden Hemmens – City of Pompano Beach, Fla., California State Lifeguard Association, Calif., Los Angeles County Lakes Lifeguard Association, Calif. & Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association 2. Ariel Zimmerman, Emily Balina, Elesabeth Racioppi, Nick Pak & Joseph Skimmons – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Andrew Hawkins, Sarah Giuliani, John Pompay, Noah Chernik & Jaimie Kaefer – Jones Beach, N.Y. B Group (ages 12-13) 1. Katie Conte, Brooke Baldassare, Jasmine Chu, Sierra Koehler & Nicos Prokopiou – Jones Beach, N.Y. 2. Abigail George, Caroline Posner, Laura Nagle, Sarah Brennan & Trevor Hinds – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Mari Kate Ryan, Carly Drew, Nina Piacentine, Georgica Bogetti, Nakai Kulik – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Ryan Burke, Sammy Rennard, Megan Judge, Emma Hecht & Brenner Hinds – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Drake Bayard, Patrick Kain, Allyson Kraff, Zachary Baldassare &Katelyn McKevitt – Jones Beach, N.Y. 3. Julia Brierley, Isabella Swanson, Grace Howard, Maggie Purcell & Chasen Dubs – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. BEACH FLAGS: From a prone position on the sand, upon a whistle start, Junior Guards rise, turn, and race to obtain a baton (beach flag) buried upright in the sand. Those who fail to get a baton are eliminated. Boys AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Phillip Schlegel – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. 2. Connor Katzmark – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. 3. Dillon Copa – City of Pompano Beach, Fla. Girls AA Group (ages 16-17) 1. Chloe Gutierrez – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 2. Elizabeth Price – Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Boys A group (ages 14-15) 1. Zack Tiano – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Anthony Cabasino – Long Beach, N.Y. 3. Gregory Schmalzel – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Girls A group (ages 14-15) 1. Sarah George – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Julia Jones – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Amanda Calabrese – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Boys B Group (ages 12-13) 1. Eddie Cohen – South Jersey, N.J. 2. Koa Krolik – Los Angeles County Lifeguard Association, Calif. 3. Justin Bertini – Jones Beach, N.Y. Girls B Group (ages 12-13) 1. Sophia Kolhoff – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. 2. Olivia D’Angelo – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Kiera Mulroy – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Boys C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Aidan Sacci – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Spencer Flynn – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 3. Ronan Nielsen – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. Girls C Group (ages 9-11) 1. Madeline Agresti – Monmouth County Chapter, N.J. 2. Lila Ferrano – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. 3. Grace Howard – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y. Hosted by the Cape May Beach Patrol, the USLA National Lifeguard Championships continue Thursday at 8 a.m. ET on Cape May Beach at Grant Street and Beach Avenue. More than 1,200 professional and junior lifeguards from across the country are competing for individual and team honors in water and beach course events that challenge their lifesaving skills including surf swims, beach runs, paddleboard races, landline rescue relays, a taplin relay, board rescue races, beach flags, and Ironman and Ironwoman races. Admission to the Jersey Mike’s USLA National Lifeguard Championships in Cape May is free of charge (regular beach rates apply). The United States Lifesaving Association (www.usla.org) is America’s nonprofit professional association of beach lifeguards and open water rescuers. USLA works to reduce the incidence of death and injury in the aquatic environment through public education, national lifeguard standards, training programs, promotion of high levels of lifeguard readiness, and other means. For more information on the Jersey Mike’s USLA National Lifeguarding Championships, and for full results from day one’s National Junior Lifeguard Championships, visit www.uslanationals.org.