N.S.A. EASTERN
REGIONAL QUALIFIER
"Welcome to Virginia, or are
we in the Arctic Circle?"
It was a sunny morning, much like any
October morning in the South. A cool
breeze, sunshine, 70°. The ams gathered
at the Mt. Trashmore ramp facility for the
NSA Eastern Region qualifier were stokin'
to finally get in a few practice runs without
the 90 mph winds that tugged them off
balance during many of the previous prac-
tice sessions.
Banners were hung, equipment was set
up and spectators filled the area in
anticipation of the day's event. Manufac-
turers were present to support their riders,
and a handful of pros (Danforth, Phillips,
Lucero, Groholski, Midgett, Gutierrez,
Wilkes and Beauregard) were on hand.
While practice runs continued, hoho and
streetplant sessions prevailed in the park-
ing lot. Bruce Walker, owner of Walker
Skateboards, weaved in and out of the stiff
armed skaters, executing the killer style on
a long board.
As the contest got under way, the wind
picked up again, tossing the determined
skaters around at will. It seemed the wind
just waited for that precise moment-during
a stalled handplant or a face-high method
air. The VA Beach boys, knowing well the
spiteful tricks the wind plays, gave everyone
a sample of the "wind test." This consists
of tossing your board out a few feet in front
of you and waiting for it to boomerang back
into your hands. Unfortunately, it worked all
too well.
The contest continued despite the hor-
rendous conditions. Two alternates, Keith
Lenharr and Lee Thomas were able to show
their stuff due to the no-show of one
amateur and the effects of an unsavory
piece of pie eaten by John Hughes during
the Friday practice session.
Although many of the skaters were very
closely matched in ability and talent (under
normal conditions), the outcome of the con-
test was largely due to each skater's ability
to cope with the wintery weather. It was also
difficult to adjust to a ramp many East Coast
ams consider "out-dated."
The sky grew black and NSA officials
began wrapping up in sheets, blankets and
even banners to offset the raging winds. The
ams kept a stiff upper lip, though they
occasionally tossed a board in disgust and
muttered subtle obscenities to anyone who
would listen. No one blamed them.
A hasty decision was made to try to slip
the finals in before the rain fell. The top five
ams, Mike Conroy, Rob Taylor, Dan Brown,
Mike Crescini and Bernie O'Dowd respec-
tively, retreated to cars and other shelters
providing warmth. The crowd thinned
dramatically, although 150 or so die-hards
toughed-out the hellish conditions.
The sub-jam began with skaters aged 6 to
15 battling for the top seven positions. Dur-
ing the second run, the sky let loose, sen-
ding everyone stampeding. Sonja held a
riders' meeting to discuss alternate plans.
The outcome: try again on Sunday and if the
sky remained a dismal, pelting grey, all fif-
teen skaters would have a free ride to
California.
Sunday morning dawned bright, cool,
crisp, and dry. Several skaters had early
planes to catch, so the finals got underway
quickly.
Honorable mentions go to Ken Sigafoos:
and Rob Mertz from PA, who did not make
the finals, but are among the most dedicated
and innovative skaters around, anywhere.
Finals:
10th: Mike Speranzo, a fun-loving but serious
skater from Florida. Highlights: lien-to-tail, ice
plant, gay twist, finger-flip lien.
9th: Sergie Ventura, a young VA Beach
skater, was a crowd favorite. Sergie has
improved dramatically in the last year, hav-
ing spent much of his summer sessioning
at the O.C. ramp. Highlights: straight-leg in-
vert, f-side Smith grind, b-side disaster, one-
footed body jar, f-side grind, f-side rail grind.
7th: Bernie O'Dowld's arsenal of "odd"
moves placed him in with the top contenders.
"He likes to skate backwards." Highlights:
invert-to-fakie, airwalk fakie.
6th: Dan Brown has been a top competitor
for several years. Dan continues to skate well.
He's got a burly style and a lot of flair.
Highlights: layback roll-around over the
channel, shove-it, f-side grind, gymnast plant
over the channel.
5th: Eddie Gutierrez is a rippin' local skater
who's been out in the forefront for a while.
He skated big. Highlights: fast plant, f-side
boneless, f-side invert, fakie ollie-to-Smith
grind, cess slide grind.
4th: Peanut Brown skated as smoothly and
consistently as always. Peanut goes for those
long marathon runs. 4th place seemed a lit-
tle low for the solid lines he laid down.
Highlights: egg plant, foot plant-to-fakie, fast
plant, f-side invert, invert-to-fakie.
3rd: Mike Crescini, a VA Beach local, has
lotsa style and flowing lines. Pros beware.
Highlights: Smith grind (mega long), ollie-to-
boardslide, layback roll-out.
2nd: Mike Conroy, another VA Beach local,
exhibited powerful runs, speed, big air, loud
clacks and some unreal contortion.
Highlights: f-side ollie over the channel, one-
footed body jar, tuck knee inverts (way flap-
py) and head-high backside air.
1st: Rob Taylor, a Tennessian who ripped
hard, produced smooth and clean runs.
Highlights: gay twist, b-side boneless, finger
flip lein, way tweaked Indy air.
The skies stayed clear through the end of
the contest. So much for that free trip to
California.
Age: 26
MIKE MAPP
Hometown: Northern VA
Years Skating: 13
Favorite Spot: The gnarled coping side at
Cedar Crest, Chicken Butt Ramp
Favorito Trick: Indy air, frontside grind
Future: Suitcasing around the country
Age: 20
PEANUT BROWN
Hometown: Delaware
Years Skating: 6
Favorite Spot: Exton Ramp (PA), Cedar
Crest, Chesapeake.
Favorite Trick: Alley-oop egg plant, front-
side channel invert.
Future: Turn pro, have fun, go back to
college
Age: 22
DONNY MYHRE
Hometown: Gainesville, FL
Years Skating: 10
Favorite Spot: Fallbrook Ramp.
Favorite Trick: Madonna, fastplant, front-
side grind.
Future: Travel Europe/Brazil.
AMATEURS
EDDIE GUTIERREZ
Age: 18
Hometown: VA Beach
Years Skating: 4
Favorite Spot: Trashmore, Ocean City.
Favorite Trick: Variations of airs, speed
grinds.
Future: Hang out in Venice and skate the
walls.