Harley Clifford Wins Pro Men and Melissa Marquardt Claims Pro Women

Nationals - Day 1 | Nationals - Day 2 | Nationals - Day 3 | Nationals - Video

Waco, TX - A dramatic final day of action at the Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships presented by Rockstar culminated in prestigious national titles for four athletes in the sport’s most premiere divisions. Paramount performances came from Harley Clifford and Melissa Marquardt who won the Pro Men and Pro Women divisions respectively.

Clifford carved his way into history at the 25th Annual Wakeboard National Championships with a finals run for the ages. With his riding in prime form when it mattered the most, Clifford linked together a run behind the Super Air Nautique G23 that featured some of the biggest airs of the entire event, mixing in stylish toeside and heelside rotations as well as sound rail riding. The dream run was executed perfectly and was just enough to overcome a stacked field of competitors that included Rusty Malinoski, Nautique Team rider Bob Soven, Nautique Team rider Noah Flegel, Oli Derome and Nautique Team rider Danny Harf.

"It’s unbelievable to win Nationals," said Clifford! "Everyone was ripping all weekend and I’m just lucky I was able to stick all the tricks I wanted to and it was good enough to get the victory."

The Pro Women final was a testament to the new heights female riders are taking the sport. On the forefront of it all is Melissa Marquardt, who claimed a coveted National Title today. Marquardt clinched the crown with a progressive run that was equal parts modern masterpiece and commitment to fundamentals. Her run had it all including the biggest airs of the heat, smooth style and highly technical rail sections. The finals also featured a field of the finest female riders on the planet, including Amber Wing, Nautique Team rider Meagan Ethell, Taylor McCullough, Bec Gange and Nautique Team rider Raimi Merritt.

Championship caliber performances were also put in today by Brian Grubb and Gunner Daft who claimed National Titles in the Pro Wakeskate and Jr. Pro Men divisions respectively.

Prior to the Pro Men finals today, the crowd enjoyed the Contour Big Air Contest. The mesmerizing specialty event featured some of the best Pro Men riders launching from a ramp to perform massive rotating aerials that are rarely accomplished in a traditional contest setting. Going the biggest was Adam Errington who boosted a huge mute switch roll to revert off the kicker ramp to walk away the winner.

The Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships was stop number five on the 2014 King of Wake Series. Additionally, it serves as stop number two on the Nautique Wake Series, a four-event professional and amateur wakeboard and wakeskate series.

The Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships presented by Rockstar Energy Drink is organized by World Sports & Marketing of Orlando, Fla., and has the support of the following sponsors: Nautique Boats, World Wakeboard Association, Rockstar Energy Drink, Fox, Ronix, Kawasaki, BSR, CWB, Hyperlite, Byerly, Peavey, PCM Marine Engines and WAKEBOARDING magazine.
 
About Nautique Boat Company, Inc.
Celebrating 89 years of excellence in the marine industry, Nautique Boats is known for delivering the highest quality product, innovative technology and exceptional customer service experiences. To get more information on the company or see the complete line of Nautique boats, visit nautique.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
 
About Rockstar
Rockstar Energy Drink is designed for those who lead active lifestyles – from Athletes to Rockstars. Available in over 20 flavors at convenience and grocery outlets in over 30 countries, Rockstar supports the Rockstar lifestyle across the globe through Action Sports, Motor Sports, and Live Music. For more information visit RockstarEnergy.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About the WWA
The World Wakeboard Association is the global leader in wake sports sanctioning. The WWA owns and operates the WWA Wakeboard World Series, WWA Wake Park World Series, WWA Wakeboard National Championships, WWA Wake Park National Championships, WWA Wakeboard World Championships, WWA Wake Park World Championships, WWA Wake Park Triple Crown, WWA Pro Card and WWA Rider Experience. With 27 affiliate countries worldwide, the WWA is a rider-formed organization dedicated to promoting and growing wake sports worldwide. It is the leading source for riders, event organizers and competitive standards. For more information on the WWA and its events, check out thewwa.com.

About Barefoot Ski Ranch
Is an award winning Cable Wake Park and water sports complex located on 450 beautiful acres in Waco, Texas. BSR opened in June of 2012 but quickly became known as the best cable park in in the US and took home the industry's highest honor, "Best Wake Park" at the 2013 season ending Wake Awards. The park features a Rixen 6 Tower Cableway System, 5 lakeside cabins, gorgeous bar and grill, the county's first Bi-Level lake for advanced wakeboarding, 2 world class boat lakes pulled by Nautique G23 and G21, first ever barefoot cable, kids fun lake, lazy river, 70 person hot tub, outdoor pavilion and beach areas. With so many amenities, BSR is the perfect destination get away for a day trip, corporate retreat or vacation. 
 
About King of Wake
The King of Wake is the world’s elite pro wakeboarding series, attracting the sport’s top athletes from throughout the globe. Over the course of a season, athletes compete for the ultimate wakeboarding crown in a series points race of eight events throughout the United States to see who rules the wake. The King of Wake is organized by World Sports & Marketing – the leading wake-events producer since 1988.
 
About WAKEBOARDING Magazine
WAKEBOARDING magazine is the leader in wake-sports media by delivering the best instruction, latest product reviews, insider knowledge and the finest photography.
 
Results - Day 4
 
Pro Men Final
1. Harley Clifford - 94.33
2. Rusty Malinoski - 85.00
3. Bob Soven - 80.00
4. Noah Flegel - 77.50
5. Oli Derome - 75.00
6. Danny Harf - 48.33
 
Pro Women Final
1. Melissa Marquardt - 82.00
2. Amber Wing - 78.00
3. Meagan Ethell - 75.00
4. Taylor McCullough - 71.67
5. Bec Gange - 64.00
6. Raimi Merritt - 61.67
 
Pro Wakeskate Final
1. Brian Grubb
2. Reed Hansen - 77.67
3. James Balzer - 65.00
4. Danny Hampson - 59.00
 
Jr. Pro Men Final
1. Gunner Daft - 89.75
2. Parker Siegele - 88.25
3. Robby Holihan - 72.75
4. Jason Soven - 72.75
5. James Loisel - 65.50
6. Nic Rapa - 61.00
 
Pro Men Semifinals (top rider in each heat advances)
 
Heat #1
1. Danny Harf - 85.67
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2. Tony Iacconi - 81.67
3. Tom Fooshee - 75.00
 
Heat #2
1. Bob Soven - 78.33
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2. Dean Smith - 76.67
3. Jimmy Lariche - 66.00
 
Heat #3
1. Oli Derome - 75.00
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2. Josh Twelker - 68.67
3. JD Webb - 25.00
 
Heat #4
1. Noah Flegel - 78.33
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2. Tony Carroll - 71.67
3. Steel Lafferty - 28.33
 
Heat #5
1. Rusty Malinoski - 81.67
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2. Josh Palma - 71.67
3. Keenan Allen - 63.33
 
Heat #6
1. Harley Clifford - 93.33
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2. Phil Soven - 81.67
3. Massis Piffaretti - 61.67

Nationals - Day 1 | Nationals - Day 2 | Nationals - Day 3 | Nationals - Video