Women

Sweep! Oakley’s Evan Geiselman and Sage Erickson Snatch US Open of Surf Pro Junior Titles, Kolohe Andino Takes Third

The swell may have been less than amazing this past weekend.

But both the Junior Men’s and Women’s Finals at the US Open of Surf in Huntington Beach felt Oakley’s big impact – as Team Riders Evan Geiselman and Sage Erickson emerged victorious with titles on both sides of the gender line.

Saturday saw Sage, who was incredibly close to winning last year’s US Open Pro Junior, come out of the gates on fire in the midst of fierce competition within a talent packed heat. And the fire never quenched. She lead the contest throughout its entirety to clinch her first ASP victory over last year’s winner Malia Manuel (Kauai, HI), 16, ASP Women’s World Tour campaigner Coco Ho (North Shore, HI), 19, and reigning ASP Women’s World Junior Champion Laura Enever (AUS), 18.

“I came in second last year with Malia getting the score in the last couple of seconds,” said Erickson, visibly stoked on her break out party in front of a massive Southern California crowd. “It was hard. I’m just glad to come out this year and win a Junior with such a prestigious Final. This is pretty much my best win because it’s the US Open. It feels great to win in front of all of these people.”

The win was a huge step for O’s Women’s Surf Team and its future. But our overall team of junior rippers didn’t stop there. The Junior Men’s Final, held on Sunday morning, was just as intense.

A power-packed field of four was 50 percent Oakley – as Evan Geiselman and O Teammate Kolohe “Brother” Andino took to the lineup to vie for the title.

Evan, who threw down for an amazing performance in the men’s ASP PRIME event via his wildcard entry, raged to victory in the ASP Grade-2 Junior Final over a tough list of talent – which also included the formidable Brazilian duo of Alejo Muniz and Miguel Pupo. The win also boosted his overall efforts to qualify for the inaugural ASP World Junior Tour. The first stop: Oakley Pro Junior in Bali.

“I think I’ve just been rolling off of this whole year with confidence,” said Geiselman, who rocked his Oakley Holbrooks at the podium. “This year has been crazy for me and I can’t believe it. To win the ASP North America Pro Junior Title is amazing and I’m just looking forward to going to Bali. That was my main goal this year, so this is awesome. I don’t even know what to say.”

Congratulations to both Evan and Sage for their grand victories in Surf City.

Also, check out the preview for the upcoming Oakley Pro Junior Contests in Europe and Japan – where some of the World’s most promising young surfers will show the world where the sport is heading in the coming years… OAKLEY PRO JUNIOR JAPAN AND EUROPE (With Videos)