Sussex County lifeguards clean up at nationals
The lifeguards of Sussex County sent a large contingent to the United States Lifesaving Association’s National Lifeguard Championships held Aug. 6-9 in South Padre Island, Texas.
When the sand settled, the guards of southern Delaware scored the most points in the country, and many men and women claimed individual and age-group titles.
Sussex County, comprising 79 lifeguards from several beach patrols, tallied 1,465.001 points. The group from LA County Surf Life Saving Association, with 21 lifeguards, earned second place with 939.875 points. Sussex County easily had the most participants, as the next closest was Hampton Lifeguard Association with 39.
Sussex County was rewarded with the Greg Farry Trophy for the most points earned in open events, as well as the Howard Lee National Championship Trophy for most points earned in open and age-group events.
Elizabeth Fry scored the most points for Sussex County, finishing with the second-most individual points at 100.5. She finished second in the open surf race, run-swim-run and ironwoman; was part of the second-place rescue race; finished third in the board race; was a member of the third-place taplin relay team and board relay team; and fifth in the board rescue race.
“Delaware put in the work last off season going into the summer,” Fry said. “Cold days and winter wetsuits contributed to the Sussex County grit displayed this week at nationals. We just kept training, improving, excelling, and it showed in Texas. Nationals champs!”
Coleman Woodard was Sussex County’s highest scorer on the men’s side with 60.5 points, which was sixth overall. Woodard finished fourth in the board race and in the ironman; was a member of the sixth-place taplin relay team; took seventh in the surf ski race; was a member of the seventh-place finishing board relay team; finished ninth in the board race; and took 10th in the run-swim-run.
Cindy Fajardo scored the third-most individual points in age-group events with 24, just six points behind the winner. On the men’s side, David Griffith scored 26.5 points in age-group events for eighth overall.
The women of Sussex County swept the top four places in the 4-by-100 run relay. The team of Helena Nester, Kakie Magruder, Rachel Kline and Zoe Williams took first. They were followed by the team of Caitlin Smith, Logan Rohde, Melaney Heald and Nicolette Phillips. Taking third was the combo of Ashlyn Roselle, Jessica Tyndall, Lainey Shockro and Meredith Lockwood. Rounding out the top performances was the team of Caroline McKelvy, Ella Rishko, Hadley Rhue and Lulu Rishko.
The men had a similarly strong performance in the same event. The team of Brendan Regan, Dillon McKay, Liam Regan and Seamus Regan took top honors. Finishing in the runner-up position were John Barbato, Kyle Green, Mack Leonhartt and Wilson Ingerski. The team of Austin Rhue, C.J. Fritchman, Hunter Jones and Kolbe Green took third place.
The women’s landline rescue race saw Sussex County teams take first and third place. The winning combination was Dionn Stevenson, Liz Perry, Maddie Tonn and Meredith Lockwood. Finishing third was the team of Ashlyn Roselle, Caroline McKelvy, Nicole Gibson and Sophia Brown.
The open men’s 2K beach run saw five Sussex County lifeguards take the top six spots. Evan Grace was the winner, with Declan Burke just behind in second. Securing fourth through sixth place were Charlie Blundell, Chase Sims and Michael Anderson.
C.J. Fritchman won the open men’s beach flags event, with Isiah Brittingham finishing third.
The open men’s 90-meter sprint was won by Konner Knarr, with LJ Sengphachanch just behind. Mack Leonhartt and Seamus Regan took sixth and seventh, respectively.
Cindy Fajardo won the 50-54 women’s board race. She also had success in other events, earning second-place finishes in the age-group surf race, surf ski race and American Ironwoman; and third in the age-group run-swim-run.
Bailey Noel won the 35-39 men’s surf race, run-swim-run, board race and ironman He also finished third in the age-group surf ski race.
David Griffith won the 60-64 American ironman and surf boat race. He also finished second in the age-group surf ski race, board race, run-swim-run and ironman. He was third in the age-group surf race.
In age-group beach flags competition, Steven Hagen won the 30-34 division, with Patrick Berns in third. Todd Roselle won the 45-49 age group, while Derek Shockro took top honors in the 50-54 division. Ronald Phillips took second in the 55-59 age group.
Patrick Berns won the 2K beach race for the 30-34 age group.
To view full results, go to usla.org/page/nationals.
