From Staff Reports
The DSC Surf Team wrapped up the 2015-16 season with one of its surfers snatching a national championship in the longboard division. Business major Steven McLean became the first surfer in the team’s history to take first place in both the East Coast and West Coast championships sponsored by the National Scholastic Surfing Association.
McLean, who is entering the BAS program this fall, placed first in every regional contest of the regular season before taking on competitors from California, Florida and North Carolina in the East and West Coast championships.
McLean impressed the judges with his blend of traditional and modern styles on a 9-foot custom longboard.
“Steven is a very consistent competitor who makes good wave choices and manages to pull off graceful moves in all surf conditions,” said Bruce Cook, Director of Co-Curricular Activities and the team’s coach.
Shortboarders Amanda Buemi (AA-engineering) and Lillian Whatley (AA-general education) took second place and sixth place, respectively, in the women’s division of the East Coast Championships.
Jacob Kotchpowel, a U.S. Navy veteran who is entering the BAS program this fall, placed sixth in the East Coast men’s shortboard division.
The individual scores gave the team a third-place standing in the East Coast Championships and eighth-place in the nationals, which were held at Salt Creek, Calif. on June 13.