Newport Classic a success

NEWPORT BEACH ? Champions were crowned in seven divisions at the sixth annual Newport Classic surfing contest, completed Sunday at 56th Street.

The men’s open division was won by Newport Harbor High alumnus Nick Johnson, with former Sailor Joe Alani finishing second.

Daniel Shea, who won the high school division, finished third in the men’s open division. Shea was also one of two competitors to post perfect 10.0 scores for a single ride in their semifinal heats. Shea’s average wave score was 7.7 in the finals.

Middle school division winner Andrew Doheny, representing Ensign Intermediate, was the other surfer to receive a 10 from the judges.

Kaleigh Gilchrist, second in the women’s division in 2005, won the division this year. Gilchrist, who attends Ensign, was also sixth in the middle school division.

Former Newport Harbor baseball star Charlie Waite won the longboard division, while Newport Harbor student Matt Kretshmar won the bodyboard division.

Colin Moran of California Elementary won the elementary school division.

Blake Davis, who won the elementary school division last year, finished second in the middle school division.

Joey Head, second in the high school division, was also fourth in the men’s division. He finished fifth in the men’s division in 2005.

The event, contested Saturday and Sunday, is a fundraiser for the Newport Harbor High surf team. The top six finishers in each division won prizes donated by local sponsors.

Seventy-two qualifiers were pared to 33 semifinalists.