LA County Wins 44th USLA National Championship, Edging Out Monmouth County

Courtesy: United States Lifesaving Association 

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.  – LA County Surf Life Saving Association won the coveted Howard Lee Trophy awarded to the 2019 Jersey Mike’s USLA National Champion, marking the 44th time the team has won the title. The perennial powerhouse from Los Angeles County has now won the overall team championship 30 out of the past 32 years. Capping off an exciting week in Virginia Beach, Monmouth County finished in second place while Sussex County rounded out the podium in third place.

“The Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association was honored to host the most inspiring, athletic lifeguards in the country for the past two summers,” said Tom Gill, President of the VBLA. “We would like to thank all of the officials, volunteers, sponsors and the athletes who put their lives on the line every single day for making this incredible event possible.”

Trailing after one day of competition, LA County was able to surge ahead in day two and kept the lead on Saturday, finishing with 889.752 points. LA County flourished off the back of a heroic effort from overall women’s points leader Kelsey Cummings.

Other top performers in the Jersey Mike’s 2019 USLA National Lifeguard Championships included the men’s overall points winner Hayden Hemmens from Newport Beach, who repeats as the top men’s lifeguard in the nation with 126.5 points. He was followed by Thomas O’Neill of Riis Park. On the women’s side, LA County’s Cummings put in a dominating display to win the title with 137.250 points, winning the Ironguard, surf race, run-swim-run, surf ski, board rescue and Taplin relay events.

Hosted by the Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association in conjunction with the city of Virginia Beach, the Jersey Mike’s USLA National Lifeguard Championships saw nearly 900 junior and professional lifeguards from across the country descend on Virginia Beach to compete for individual and team honors in water and beach course events that challenge and sharpen their lifesaving skills.

The annual National Championships will head to South Padre Island, Texas in 2020.

For more information on the USLA National Lifeguard Championships and full results visit http://www.uslanationals.org/.

USLA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS: Saturday, August 10, 2019

Howard Lee Trophy – Overall Points Open and Age Group combined ‘A’ Teams with ranking, chapter and total points:

1. LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., 889.752

2. Monmouth County (N.J.), 841.832

3. Sussex County (Del.) – 713.322

LACOLA Trophy – Overall Points Open and Age Group combined ‘B’ Teams with ranking, chapter and total points:

1. Riis Park (N.Y.), 430.313

2. Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue (Fla.), 232.876

3. Deerfield Beach (Fla.), 169.063

Greg Farry Trophy – Overall Points Women & Men Open Only with ranking, chapter and total points:

1. Sussex County (Del.), 634.822

2. LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc. (Calif.), 634.752

3. Monmouth County (N.J.), 586.332

Sheridan Byerly Trophy – USLA Region scoring the most Open & Age Group points overall with ranking, chapter and total points:

1. Mid Atlantic, 3170.791

2. Southwest, 1252.002

3. Southeast, 1230.070

Men’s Overall Points Top Finishers

1. Hayden Hemmens – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Assoc., 126.5

2. Thomas O’Neill – Riis Park (N.Y.), 115.625

3. Ryan Paroz – Hampton Lifeguard Assoc. (N.Y.) – 82.5

Women’s Overall Points Top Finishers

1. Kelsey Cummings – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., 137.250

2. Alexandra Santer – Sussex County (Del.) – 119.688

3. Casey Francis – Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue – 115.063

SATURDAY’S EVENTS

2K BEACH RUN: Competitors race 2,000 meters on the beach in two 1,000 meter legs as follows: on the starting signal competitors race along the left side of the lane to round (clockwise or right hand in) the turning pole 1,000 meters distant, and return 1,000 meters toward the starting pole and then race to cross the finish line.  The finish is judged on the competitor’s chest crossing the finish line. Competitors must finish on their feet in an upright position.

OPEN MEN:

Harrison Martingayle – Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association, Va.
Aidan Donahue – Riis Park, N.Y.
Joseph Davidson – Outer Banks, N.C.

OPEN WOMEN:

1.       Alice Henley – Dania Beach, Fla.

2.       Marlee Evans – Sussex County, Del.

3.       Doria Martingayle – Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association, Va.

Age Group: 30-34

Men: Bailey Noel – Sussex County, Del.

Women: Alice Henley – Dania Beach, Fla.

Age Group: 35-39

Men: Robert Frey – Ocean City, Md.

Women: Stephanie Motz – Outer Banks, N.C.

Age Group: 40-44

Men: David Dierstein – Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association, Va.

Women: Sylvia Wolff – Outer Banks, N.C.

Age Group: 45-49

Men: Matt Hewes – Outer Banks, N.C.

Women: Angelika Cruz – Hampton Lifeguard Assoc., N.Y.

Age Group: 50-54

Men: Kevin Martingayle – Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association, Va.

Women: Caryn Kaub – Monmouth County, N.J.

Age Group: 55-59

Men: Luiz Freire – Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Women: Kathleen Piacentine – Hampton Lifeguard Assoc., N.Y.

Age Group: 60-64

Men: John Kenny – Outer Banks, N.C.

Women: Janet Carbin – Monmouth County, N.J.

Age Group: 65-69

Men: Dale Adama – California State Lifeguard Assoc., Calif.

Women: Susan Wallis – Jax Beach, Fla.

Age Group: 70+

Men: Rick Stimpson – Monmouth County, N.J.

BEACH RELAY: Teams of four (4) individuals compete in a baton relay fashion over a 90-meter course.  To start, two competitors take position in the assigned late at each end of the course.  After the start each competitor completes a leg of the course with a baton held in either hand and passes the baton at the conclusion of the first, second and third leg to the next runner.  All competitors shall finish their leg of the event on their feet and in an upright position.

OPEN MEN:

Reed Tanasovich, Nathan Jones, Jason Kaiser, Mitch Sgro – Sussex County, Del.
Drew Mulcahy, Cooper Shawver, Mitch McGee, Billy Swontek – Sussex County, Del.
Alex Triani, Charlie Appel, Pierce May, Aldas Levisauskas – Smith Point, N.Y.

OPEN WOMEN:

Amanda Calabrese, Molly Mamay, Grace Bailey, Raylene Allen – Hampton Lifeguard Assoc./Capitola Beach Lifeguard Assoc.
Hannah Venables, Alexandre Santer, Megan Perdue, Emily Ruppert – Sussex County, Del.
Kristen DiTommaso, MaryKate George, Margot Labrecque, Kelsey Kaub – Monmouth County, N.J.

RUN-SWIM-RUN: From the start line, competitors run to pass around the turning flag and enter the water to swim out and around he buoys. Competitors swim back to the beach to again run around the turning flag before running to the finish line.

OPEN MEN:

1.    Hayden Hemmens – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Assoc., Calif.

2.    Drew Modrov – Riis Park, N.Y.

3.    Austin Takeda – California State Lifeguard Association, Calif.

OPEN WOMEN:

1.    Kelsey Cummings – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

2.    Alexandra Santer – Sussex County, Del.

3.    Charlie Burt – Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association, Va.

Age Group: 30-34

Men: Daniel Casey – South Jersey, N.J.

Women: Alexandre O’Connor – Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, Fla.

Age Group: 35-39

Men: Ryan Matthews – Monmouth County, N.J.

Women: Tandis Morgan – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

Age Group: 40-44

Men: Todd Sudol – Monmouth County, N.J.

Women: Jennifer Noonan – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

Age Group: 45-49

Men: Mike Barrows – Monmouth County, N.J.

Women: Robyn Skove – Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Age Group: 50-54

Men: Randall Eickhoff – California State Lifeguard Association

Women: Rachelle Nock – Ocean City, Md.

Age Group: 55-59

Men: Luiz Freire – Hollywood Beach, Fla.

Women: Ann Finley – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

Age Group: 60-64

Men: Mitchell O’Donnell – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

Women: Janet Carbin – Monmouth County, N.J.

Age Group: 65-69

Men: Jack Martin – Monmouth County, N.J.

Women: Susan Wallis – Jax Beach, Fla.

Age Group: 70+

Men: Joel Gitelson – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.

IRONMAN/IRONWOMAN: Competitors cover a 1,400 meter (approx.) course that includes a swim leg, a board leg, a ski leg and a beach sprint finish.

Open Men’s

Hayden Hemmens – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Assoc., Calif.
Thomas O’Neill – Riis Park, N.Y.
Phill Lloyd – Outer Banks, N.C.

Open Women’s

Hallie Petersohn – Palm Beach County, Fla.
Kelsey Cummings – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.
Jenna Solberg – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

Age Group: 30-34

Men: Luke Turner – Riis Park, N.Y.

Women: Alexandre O’Connor – Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, Fla.

Age Group: 35-39

Men: Brian Murphy – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

Women: Tandis Morgan – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

Age Group: 40-44

Men: Phill Lloyd – Outer Banks, N.C.

Women: Jennifer Noonan – Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, Fla.

Age Group: 45-49

Men: Javier Mayor – Miami Beach, Fla.

Women: Michelle Davidson – Monmouth County, N.J.

Age Group: 50-54

Men: Randall Eickhoff – California State Lifeguard Association

Women: Rachelle Nock – Ocean City, Md.

Age Group 55-59

Men: Patrick Hemmens – California State Lifeguard Association

Women: Ann Finley – LA County Surf Life Saving Associ., Calif.

Age Group 60-64

Men: John Skudin – Long Beach, N.Y.

Age Group 65-69:

Men: Dale Adama – California State Lifeguard Association

Women: Susan Wallis – Jax Beach, Fla.

Age Group 70+:

Men: Joel Gitelson – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

BOARD RESCUE: In this event, one member of the team swims approximately 120 meters to a designated buoy, signals and waits to be picked up by the second member of the team on a board.  They both paddle to shore and cross the finish line on the beach with the board.  Competitors must start the correct allotted position.  Competitors swimming to and signaling from the wrong buoy shall be disqualified.

OPEN MEN:

Hayden Hemmens & Ryan Paroz – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Assoc./Hampton Lifeguard Assoc.
Bailey Noel & Aidan Hopkins – Sussex County, Del.
Brian Murphy & Thomas Ryan – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.

OPEN WOMEN:

Kelsey Cummings & Jenna Solberg – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.
Amanda Calabrese & Sophia Swanson – Hampton Lifeguard Assoc., N.Y.
April O’Gorman & Hallie Petersohn – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association/Palm Beach County, Fla

LANDLINE RESCUE: This event consists of four persons: one victim, one land-line swimmer and two landline pullers. Each team will be assigned to a lane and corresponding flag buoy by random draw immediately before the heat.  Heats will start, the landline swimmer with the shoulder strap or harness already on, swims in the assigned lane to the victim.  Only the landline pullers may feed line to the swimmer.  When the simmer reaches the victim, the simmer raises one arm in the air as a sign to the pullers to commence pulling. The victim must hold onto the rescue can with both hands at all times, and may kick.  Upon signal from the swimmer, the pullers pull victim and swimmer to the beach.  Pulling area is restricted to the assigned lane and may be no greater than 25 meters long.

COMBINED:

Kristofas Barsauskas, Alex Triani, Danielle Pikulik, Brendon Kolar – Smith Point, N.Y.
Burke Sansiviero, Patrick Wilson, Michael Guadi, Andrew Presta – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.
Ian Fogarty, Brenna Horan, Pat Scribner, Kevin Konarski – Smith Point, N.Y.

BOARD RACE RELAY: This even is conducted under the same general rules as the Board Race event, and teams consist of three competitors. Each competitor must complete the course marked by three interior buoys. Competitors may relinquish the board after turning around the third buoy at his/her discretion. Each competitor must then round the two flags on the beach before tagging the next member of the relay. The third member of the relay must pass both flags and then cross the finish line between the two checkered flags.

COMBINED:

Kristofas Barsauskas, Alex Triani, Danielle Pikulik, Brendon Kolar – Smith Point, N.Y.
Burke Sansiviero, Patrick Wilson, Michael Guadi, Andrew Presta – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.
Ian Fogarty, Brenna Horan, Pat Scribner, Kevin Konarski – Smith Point, N.Y.

TAPLIN RELAY: Teams of 4 competitors (1 swimmer, 1 board paddler, 1 surfskier and 1 runner) cove the approximately 1,400-meter course in a sequence of legs determined by draw at the start of each competition.  The run leg is always the final leg.  If the ski leg is first, competitors shall start with a typical inn-water start.  Conditions of racing each leg are as generally required for the individual condition of that discipline including the rules governing the component disciplines: surf ski races, board races, surf race sand beach sprints. Competitors must commence their leg of the event from the correct allotted beach position. To ensure fair starts and finishes alignment of the start line and finish line to the buoys may be altered at the discretion of the referee, depending on the prevailing sea conditions.

OPEN MEN:

Hayden Hemmens, Reece Hemmens, Ryan Paroz, Zane Booth – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Assoc., Hampton Lifeguard Assoc., Santa Barbara Lifeguard Assoc.
Aidan Donahue, Brian O’Neill, Drew Modrov, Thomas O’Neill – Riis Park, N.Y.
Josh Linton, Bailey Williams, Tyler Burch, Phill Lloyd – Outer Banks, N.C.

OPEN WOMEN:

Cindy Ngo, Tandis Morgan, Kelsey Cummings, Jenna Solberg – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.
Hallie Petersohn, Casey Francis, April O’Gorman, Amanda Calabrese – Palm Beach County, Fort Lauderdale, Volusia Surf Lifesaving Assoc., Hampton Lifeguard Assoc.
Bri Young, Kathleen Belliveau, Zoe Parker, Bailie Monahan – Outer Banks, N.C.