Ocean City Wins 18th Straight High School Surfing Title

A Saturday nor'easter that left much of the East Coast covered in snow brought waves to Ocean City, and that set the stage for to win its 18th consecutive National Scholastic Surfing Association Northeast Championship on Sunday (Oct. 30) at Third Street.

The annual competition among draws high schools from New Jersey and New York, and teams were on call waiting for favorable conditions. With Saturday's storm moving north and Sunday bringing sunshine and offshore winds, the contest got the green light.

Ocean City fielded five six-surfer teams, and the Red Raiders' depth paid off as usual.

Ocean City's A team won the event with 145 points, and its B team finished third with 105. St. Augustine Prep of Buena Vista Township, NJ, was second with 109 points.

Middle Township High School's Mike Ciaramella won the boys' division, and St. Augustine's Sean Taylor was second. But Ocean City placed three surfers in the Top 6, incuding Jimmy Naplasic (third), Zach Greaser (fourth) and Scott Kirkpatrick (sixth).

St. Augustine's Maddie Peterson (of Wildwood Crest) won the girls' division. Ocean City's Caroline Bowman finished third, and teammates Abby Lyons (fourth) and Mary Ney (sixth with O.C.'s C team) also scored.

Ocean City dominated the longboard division with Jordan Baker (O.C.'s B team) winning, and Herbie Godfrey (C team) and Corey Raab (B team) finishing third and fourth, respectively.

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