By DAVE O’SULLIVAN Publisher Ocean City High School didn’t win the state championship at the National Scholastic Surfing Association’s Northeast Region Championships this year, only the second time since the early 1990s that has happened. No trophy, no embroidered jackets for the outgoing seniors that had become an article of clothing as expected as a pair of socks from grandma at Christmas. But, there were no tears by Red Raiders competitors. No athletes on their knees, head buried in their hands trying to hold back the emotion and disappointment of months of hard work not panning out into the dream they had hoped for. That’s just surfing. It’s a different lifestyle. Sure, the athletes are competitive and want to win, but win or lose just being able to surf and extend summer into November, well, hey, that’s a pretty good day no matter how you slice it. You see, surfing isn’t about trophies, jackets or awards. It’s about just being on the water, finding that Zen-like state where you are in your own world. It’s just you and the wave, seeing if you can handle what Mother Nature dishes out, feeling that rush as the wave lifts you up, grabs hold of your board and transports you into your state of Chi. 
Ocean City’s Sean Bowman competes in the early rounds of the surfing state championships in early November at the 1st Street beach. (Glory Days Magazine photos/Dave O’Sullivan) Ocean City had dominated this event for two decades, but as Red Raiders coach Mark Miedama said afterward, the run of success had to come to an end sooner or later. “We won for a very long time. It was time for someone else,” Miedama said. St. Augustine Prep captured this year’s title earlier this month, besting early points leader Manasquan 160-156. Ocean City finished third with 145 points and was followed by Wall and Mainland Regional rounding out the top five. Ocean City’s ‘B’ squad finished sixth, a few points behind the Mustangs. Holy Spirit also fielded a team, scoring 23 points. “They love surfing and hanging out with each other, they love supporting each other. It’s great to see,” Miedama said. “This year we had more kids hanging out to the bitter end. We had kids who were eliminated at about 9 a.m. and here they are six or seven hours later.” The competition was held on the first Sunday in November, and with 12 schools represented, most of which had three teams, the event lasted more than nine hours, with the awards presentation being held as the sun faded behind the boardwalk on 1st Street in Ocean City. “It takes a lot for these kids to be surfing in and out of heats in the cold, fatigue sets in,” Miedama said. “One thing I’ve always tried to do is promote sportsmanship. Nobody thinks that because we’ve always won all the time, but that’s why I got on the mic (at the awards ceremony) and thanked everybody for doing the drive all the time. I know what it’s like to spend all day on a bus.” St. Augustine won by putting three surfers in the boys final and also got some help on the girls side, as Maddie Peterson competed as a member of the Hermits. Peterson, if you’re not an aficionado of surfing, is the reigning scholastic girls national champion. She has been home-schooled since the age of 12 as she pursues a surfing career. Perry Siganos won 
Ocean City senior Abby Lyons finished in the top five of the women’s finals. the boys title at the state championships, and fellow Hermits Sean Taylor and Mike Penza finished second and fourth, respectively. Liam Mahoney of Manasquan was third and fellow Blue Warrior Cooper Fortney was fifth. Ocean City wasn’t without its share of success, however. Frank Brady won the longboard title and fellow senior Peter Anderson was sixth. And Caroline Bowman took third in the girls finals while Abby Lyons was fourth. “It’s cool because it’s an individual sport but they make it a team event. You try to advance and get points for your team,” Lyons said. “There are people from New York, LBI and there are also people from around here, like Mainland.” “I’ve done it all four years, me and Abby always do it. Surfing is kind of like our thing together,” Bowman said. “Our last wave we both kind of went and split the wave, so that was kind of cool. “I’m happy. It’s fun just to be out here surfing, and I’m happy I made it to the finals.” Brady said the title on the longboard came as a bit of a surprise. “It’s pretty insane. I came into today just hoping to score some points and make the finals and I ended up winning,” Brady said. “My first longboard heat I got hot.” Brady said he plans on returning to the event even after he graduates next spring. “It’s fun. It’s my favorite day of the year. I wish there were more of these. The past few years we’ve won as a team and this year I got an individual title, so it’s definitely memorable. I’ll always come to these and watch.” The Brady family might have to make some room on the trophy shelf. Frank’s younger brother, Nick, is an up-and-coming surfer, or as they say on the beach, a “grommet.” “My little brother will be coming up. I’m calling it. He’s going to win.” Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays.
High school surfing state championships give athletes a chance to extend summer
