The 2017 United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Lifeguard Championships capped off an exciting week of competition on Saturday, crowning new national champions on the sands of Daytona Beach, Fla. Close to 1,000 of the nation’s most skilled lifeguards took to the sand and surf for the fourth and final day of competition as Monmouth County, N.J. lifeguards captured the coveted Howard Lee Trophy for the second time in the past four years. Prior to this year, LA County Surf Life Saving Association had won 28 out of the past 29 years. Monmouth County was the only other team to take home the title, doing so in 2014.
Monmouth County finished with 730.500 points, and was followed by second-place finisher LA County (637.500) and third-place finisher California State Lifeguard Association (440.250). Monmouth County used their team depth and strong performance from Anne Skimmons, who participated in four top-three finishes in the Open Competition.
“It was a collective team effort of veteran lifeguards and some newcomers to our team”, said Monmouth County coach Mike Barrows. “We have a ton of respect for perennial power LA County so it’s an honor to come back home with the national title.”
Professional lifeguards from 60 USLA chapters around the country competed over the last four days for individual and team honors in water and beach course events that challenge their lifesaving skills. The final rounds of competition saw champions crowned in the 2km Beach Run, Run Relay, Landline Rescue, Run-Swim-Run, Surfski Race and Taplin Relay.
Top performers in the 2017 USLA National Lifeguard Championships included the men’s overall points winner Thomas O’Neill of Riis Park, N.Y., who repeated as the points leader with 88.375 points. He was followed by Hayden Hemmens of Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Assoc., with 85.000 points. On the women’s side, Jenna Solberg of LA County captured her second straight overall women’s title with 122.375 points, beating out teammate Kelsey Cummings, who was a close second at 119.375.
Hosted by the Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association in conjunction with the Volusia County’s Beach Safety Division, the 2017 USLA National Lifeguard Championships saw nearly 1,000 junior and professional lifeguards from across the country descend on Daytona Beach to compete for individual and team honors in water and beach course events that challenge and sharpen their lifesaving skills.
For more information on the USLA National Lifeguard Championships and full results visit http://www.uslanationals.org/.
USLA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS: Saturday, August 12, 2017
Howard Lee Trophy – Overall Points Open and Age Group combined ‘A’ Teams with ranking, chapter and total points:
- Monmouth County, 730.500
- LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., 637.500
- California State Lifeguard Assoc., 440.250
- Sussex County, 401.625
- Hampton Lifeguard Assoc., 399.000
- Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, 385.500
- Outer Banks, 323.000
- Miami Beach, 242.000
- Long Beach NY, 180.750
- Santa Barbara Lifeguard Assoc., 113.000
LACOLA Trophy – Overall Points Open and Age Group combined ‘B’ Teams with ranking, chapter and total points:
- Riis Park, 348.000
- Smith Point, 342.750
- Palm Beach County, 151.750
- Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, 147.000
- Boca Raton, 80.750
Greg Farry Trophy – Overall Points Women & Men Open Only with ranking, chapter and total points:
- Monmouth County, 576.500
- LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., 459.000
- Hampton Lifeguard Assoc., 358.000
- Sussex County, 351.625
- Riis Park, 348.000
Sheridan Byerly Trophy – USLA Region scoring the most Open & Age Group points overall with ranking, chapter and total points:
- Mid Atlantic, 2622.875
- Southeast, 1501.000
- Southwest, 1314.750
- South Atlantic, 602.625
Men’s Overall Points Top Finishers
- Thomas O’Neill – Riis Park, 88.375
- Hayden Hemmens – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Assoc., 85.000
- Ben Brewer – Santa Barbara Lifeguard Assoc., 80.000
- James Bray – California State Lifeguard Assoc., 77.750
- Pat Kilgallen – Riis Park, 72.750
Women’s Overall Points Top Finishers
- Jenna Solberg – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., 122.375
- Kelsey Cummings – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., 119.375
- Anne Skimmons – Monmouth County, 81.625
- Hallie Petersohn – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, 77.000
- April O’Gorman – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, 75.000
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.
- Daniel Martin – Miami Beach, Fla.
- Tyler Lawson – Sussex County, Del.
OPEN WOMEN:
- Paige Duca – Hampton Lifeguard Association, N.Y.
- Kayley Delay – Atlantic Beach, Fla.
- Alice Henley – Dania Beach, Fla.
Age Group: 30-34
Men: Daniel Martin – Miami Beach, Fla.
Women: Kristen DiTommaso, Monmouth County, N.J.
Age Group: 35-39
Men: Chad Motz – Outer Banks, N.C.
Women: Sylvia Wolff – Outer Banks, N.C.
Age Group: 40-44
Men: Kieth B Kolar – Smith Point, N.Y.
Women: Tamra Morris – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.
Age Group: 45-49
Men: Kevin Krause – Smith Point, N.Y.
Women: Kim Murphy – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.
Age Group: 50-54
Men: Kevin Martingayle – Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association
Women: Chris Linkletter – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.
Age Group: 55-59
Men: Ken Bots – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.
Women: Janet Carbin – Monmouth County, N.J.
Age Group: 60-64
Men: Dave Pierson – Monmouth County, N.J.
Women: Vanessa Edwardes – Hampton Lifeguard Assoc., N.Y.
Age Group: 65-69
Men: Joel Gitelson – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.
Age Group: 70+
Men: Edward McDonald – Hampton Lifeguard Assoc., N.Y.
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:
- Nathan Jones, Brandon Bishop, Samuel McMillan, Dustin Venables – Sussex County, Del.
- Rich Hamilton, Christian Becker, Devon Lee, Kade Ramm – Ocean City MD
- Pat Kilgallen, Bryon Iveson, Maurice Peacock, Ben Briglio – Riis Park, Jax Beach, Wrightsville, Town of Hempstead
OPEN WOMEN:
- Evelyn Shoop, Josie Nixon, Kathryn Giles, Casey Nixon – Sussex County, Del.
- Elizabeth Vanderclute, Cierra Kopecky, Alexandra Santer, Kali Dawson – Ocean City MD
- Emily Bardak, Katie Kolar, Brianne Jackolski, Leah Russell – Smith Point, N.Y.
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:
- Austin Takeda & James Bray, California State Lifeguard Assoc., Calif.
- Thomas O’Neill & Brian O’Neill – Riis Park, N.Y.
- Hayden Hemmens & Ben Brewer – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Assoc. & Santa Barbara Lifeguard Assoc., Calif.
OPEN WOMEN:
- Amanda Calabrese & Maggie Purcell – Hampton Lifeguard Assoc., N.Y.
- Kelsey Cummings & Jenna Solberg – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.
- Stephanie Eisenring & Lesley Shahan – Miami Beach & Pompano Beach, 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:
- Emily Bardak, Kristofas Barsauskas, Brenrdon Kolar. Alex Triani – Smith Point, N.Y.
- Isabelle Ripp, Kevin Konarski, Christopher DeLuca, Pat Scribner – Smith Point, N.Y.
- Edwin Moriarty, Anthony Cabasino, Conor Carey, John Cottett – Long Beach NY
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:
- Christian Foti – Riis Park, N.Y.
- Pat Kilgallen – Riis Park, N.Y.
- Austin Takeda – California State Lifeguard Assoc.
OPEN WOMEN:
- Kelsey Cummings – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.
- Casey Francis – Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association
- Hallie Petersohn – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.
Age Group: 30-34
Men: Jesse Chanying – Miami Beach, Fla.
Women: Brittany Myers – Destin, Fla.
Age Group: 35-39
Men: Todd Sudol – Monmouth County, N.J.
Women: Jessica Ventura – Palm Beach County, Fla.
Age Group: 40-44
Men: Mike Barrows – Monmouth County
Women: Desi Stoyanova – Miami Beach, Fla.
Age Group: 45-49
Men: Arthur Gehris – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.
Women: Robyn Skove – Hollywood Beach, Fla.
Age Group: 50-54
Men: Randall Eickhoff – California State Lifeguard Association
Women: Chris Linkletter – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.
Age Group: 55-59
Men: Luiz Freire – Hollywood Beach, Fla.
Women: Julia Leo – Palm Beach County, Fla.
Age Group: 60-64
Men: Robert Kollar – Jones Beach State Park, N.Y.
Women: Nancy Hodges – Virginia Beach Lifesaving Association
Age Group: 65-69
Men: Joel Gitelson – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.
Age Group: 70+
Men: Ed Heinrich – 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
- Brian Murphy – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.
- Oliver Puddick – Destin, Fla.
- Cooper Halligan – Destin, Fla.
Open Women’s
- Kelsey Cummings – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.
- Jenna Solberg – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.
- Anne Skimmons – Monmouth County, N.J.
Age Group: 30-34
Men: James Bray – California State Lifeguard Association
Women: Tiffany LaCasse-Johnson – Palm Beach Couty, Fla.
Age Group: 35-39
Men: Steven O’Boyle – Sussex County, Del.
Women: Jessica Ventura – Palm Beach County, Fla.
Age Group: 40-44
Men: Phill Lloyd – Outer Banks, N.C.
Age Group: 45-49
Men: Wade Rickerson – Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue, Fla.
Women: Michelle Davidson – Monmouth County, N.J.
Age Group: 50-54
Men: Randall Eickhoff – California State Lifeguard Association
Women: Chris Linkletter – LA County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.
Age Group 55-59
Men: John Skudin – Long Beach, N.Y.
Women: Nan Kappeler – California State Lifeguard Association
Age Group 60-64
Men: Dale Adama – California State Lifeguard Association
Age Group 65-69:
Men: Joel Gitelson – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.
Age Group 70+:
Men: Ed Heinrich – LA County Surf Life Saving Assoc., Calif.
SURFSKI RACE: Competitors steady their skis in line in knee deep water about 1.5 meters apart. Competitors must obey directions from the starter or check starter concerning ski alignment at the start. On the starting signal, competitors paddle their skis around the apex course marked by three red buoys in a clockwise direction and return to finish when any part of the ski crosses the in-water finish line- ridden, gripped or carried by the competitor. Competitors may lose contact with their ski without necessarily being disqualified.
OPEN MEN:
- Tim Burdiak – Los Angeles County Surf Life Saving Association, Calif.
- Ryan Paroz – Destin, Fla.
- Rich Sprout – California State Lifeguard Association
OPEN WOMEN:
- Renae Jackson – California State Lifeguard Association
- Shannon Snell – Miami Beach, Fla.
- Anne Skimmons – Monmouth County, N.J.
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, Patrick Hemmens, Zane Booth, Ben Brewer – Newport Beach Ocean Lifeguard Assoc., California State Lifeguard Assoc., Santa Barbara Lifeguard Assoc., Calif.
- James Bray, Troy Kauffman, Austin Takeda, Ryan Gates – California State Lifeguard Assoc.
- Tyler Burch, Bryce Green, Phill Lloyd, Jarrad Greentree – Outer Banks, N.C.
OPEN WOMEN:
- Jessica King, Madison Young, Kim Murphy, Tamra Morris – Volusia Surf Lifesaving Association, Fla.
- Kerry Giovanniello, Megan Cabasino, Zoe Colomer, Renae Jackson – Long Beach NY/California State Lifeguard Assoc.
- Desi Stoyanova, Stephanie Eisenring, Lesley Shahan, Shannon Snell – Miami Beach/Pompano Beach, Fla.
About USLA
The United States Lifesaving Association 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. Lifeguard competition in the U.S. owes its heritage to the Surf Lifesaving competitions in Australia. The first National Lifeguard Competition under the USLA banner was held in San Diego in August of 1980, bringing members of the various chapters from around the nation to compete. There are now more than 100 chapters of USLA, each affiliated with local lifesaving services and beach patrols, and composed of employees of these organizations. For more information, please visit www.uslanationals.org.
Swimming Press Release courtesy of USLA.
