Courting a national championship
Santa Ana's Courtney Conlogue was tabbed by many as a future world surfing champion four years ago--when she was 11 and winning amateur contests in women's divisions. She's 15 now, and relishing Saturday's triumph over Sage Erickson to claim the prestigious Governor's Cup during the National Scholastic Surfing Assn.'s national championships at Lower Trestles near San Clemente.
The result was announced at a banquet Sunday night. On Monday afternoon Conlogue sent an e-mail to friends, stating, "I just got back from cycling with my sister and my mom is downloading photos from Saturday. So I better get this out to you before things get busy again. Last year I got [eliminated] in an early heat at NSSA Nationals. This year I wanted to make it to the final. It's always exciting at NSSA Nationals and some years are filled with disappointments while others leave you elated. This year everyone at Nationals was surfing incredible!"
In chest-high surf at the fabled point break, Conlogue surfed powerfully and with confidence that comes with maturity and training. She brought the crowd to its feet when she stuck a seemingly impossible closeout re-entry on one of the day's largest waves. I've known Courtney since she was 11, and was among those amazed by her abilities on a surfboard.
Conlogue's next contest, against many of the world's top pros, is the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach Pier on July 18-27. She has already beaten some of the world's best, in contests in which she'd been entered as a wildcard. The U.S. Open will represent another major opportunity for the new national champion--who enters the 11th grade in the fall. In fact, it would not be surprising if she wins. Huntington Beach, after all, is her home break. Thankfully, though, she'll have a few weeks to savor her Trestles triumph.
--Pete Thomas
Photo credit: Tracey Conlogue
