Riding a wave of success, the Malibu High surfing team has advanced to the state championships to be held in Oceanside April 20–22. The Sharks recently completed their regular season with a 4-1 record.
“Everybody is super happy. It’s been a lot of hard work and a long time coming,” Malibu coach Michael Moss said. “There is an overall level of satisfaction. We are excited about the state championships.”
Moss will bring 16 of Malibu’s most talented surfers to Oceanside Harbor, home to the 2013 Scholastic Surf Series High School State Championships. The SSS was formed by the Western Surfing Association and is divided into three sections—San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.
Twenty-four schools will vie for the team title with more than 300 surfers competing for individual titles in men’s and women’s longboard, men’s and women’s shortboard, and coed bodyboard. The Sharks will have a legitimate chance to win a team title as well as individual championships when the season’s surfing finale arrives in a couple weeks.
“We are like a Division Five school competing in Division One competition,” said Moss, who is in his first season as MHS head coach. “If the kids pull together and the elements are good, we could do well.”
Malibu finished its regular season with a narrow 60-57 victory over Santa Barbara in a thrilling dual at the Ventura Fairgrounds on March 10. The Sharks previously defeated Dos Pueblos, 61-47, Thousand Oaks, 74-39, Santa Monica, 65-48, and lost to Agoura by a mere point, 56.5-55.5.
Frankie Seely continued her excellent season by claiming first in the women’s longboard and second in the women’s shortboard competition against Santa Barbara. Team cocaptain Moorea Maguire took sixth place in the women’s shortboard.
On the men’s side, Tom Caen won the bodyboard competition with Henry Jenkinson finishing in third place for men’s shortboard. Tristan McGowen took second place in men’s longboard.
“It was real close. A real intense matchup,” Moss said. “We were trading heats. Our mid-level talent and overall depth has really helped us. I also have some star performers too.”
Seely is one of the several “star performers” for MHS, and she credits Moss for having a significant effect on the team.
“We’ve had a lot of success because of our coach. He’s made a big impact,” Seely said. “He talks about strategy and he’s a good influence on us.”
Malibu fared well a year ago in the state championships. The Sharks took ninth overall in the team competition in both men’s longboard and men’s shortboard, third in women’s shortboard, fifth in women’s longboard and fifth in coed bodyboard.
Seely, Caen, Maguire, Henry Buckley and Chris Finck will form the nucleus of this year’s squad as it aims to bring home a state championship to Malibu. Seely has experience at the meet after taking fifth in the women’s longboard and women’s shortboard events last year.
Through the team’s five contests this year, Seely has accumulated 9,180 points in women’s longboard, placing her first overall in the entire Los Angeles to Santa Barbara region. Maguire is third with 5,450 points. Seely also ranks second overall in the women’s shortboard with 7,060 points.
Caen ranks first overall in the coed bodyboard with 7,460 points. Buckley concluded the regular season with 5,602 points in the men’s longboard, placing him fourth overall.
Even as a smaller school, the Sharks believe they have a real shot when the championships arrive in a couple weeks.
“We have had a great turnout this year which has really helped us. It’s been a team effort and it’s a lot of fun working together as a team,” Maguire said. “It’s going to be pretty awesome. There are a lot of teams who are really good. It’s nice to go out with a bang in my senior year.”
“We honestly have a great team this year. If everyone competes at a high level, we have a chance,” added Finck, who shares captain responsibilities with Maguire. “Teamwork, talent and just being confident. We are just getting pumped. I can’t wait.”