SJHHS Surf Team successfully defended their title for an unprecedented 4th year in a row by becoming the 2016 Scholastic Surf Series Section B High School Overall Surf Team Champion this past weekend.

The Surf Team also secured spots in the finals for three events. Out of those three events, the surfers won the Men’s Longboard Championship title for the 6th year in a row, and are the reigning back-to-back Bodyboard State Champions.

“Seeing everyone make it out of their heats and congratulating everyone was definitely one of the best parts,” said Lily.

The Surfers on the Men’s Shortboard team that helped lead them to victory were Kevin Skvarna (12) , Jack Reckinger (12), and Jack Benjamin (11). Walker Carvalho (12),  Jonny Schniepp (10), Jack Jeffcoat (10), Griffin McGowan (9), and Aidan Freund (11) competed for Bodyboard, and Kolton Sullivan (12), Kevin Skvarna (12), Dean Camarena (12), Jack Collins, and Aishwaran Ratnam (11) competed in Men’s Longboard.

“It was super exciting being part of the team, especially being a freshman and being able to compete,” said Griffin.

SJHHS students were standouts in the individual categories as well. Kevin Skvarna was one of two surfers to score a perfect 10 on a ride, and senior Walker Carvahlo placed first in the individual bodyboard category.

The female surfers were also important in this year’s victory, placing second in women’s longboard.  Lily Benjamin (10), Gabby McCormic (11), Rachel Hall (9), and Meg Roh (11) competed in the Women’s Shortboard and Longboard divisions, with the exception of Rachel Hall who only competed in Shortboard.

For the team, Sunday’s victory was a culmination of maintaining focus and persevering through a difficult year, especially after their defeat to Aliso Niguel in the Capistrano Coast League Championship.

“We all worked really hard during practices to try and get better in wave selection and just train hard so we can make a comeback after losing league to Aliso,” said Lily.

Even though many key seniors are graduating this year, the team is hoping to win League and State next year under Coach Roberts.