Hi Guys,
West congratulates Pro Junior Rider, Dean Iezzi on his 3rd place in the 8 star Brothers' Neilsen Pro Junior on the Gold Coast last week.
After 2 lay days were called due to poor conditions the event was moved from Burleigh to DBah. Trigg Point's Mitch Taylor got off to an amazing start posting a total heat score of 17 out of a possible 20 in his first heat. Mitch also scored himself an awesome shot which Surfing Australia used as their main image for the days events. Unfortunately coming unstuck in his next heat, Mitch didn't progress though however he certainly made his mark and showed people what he is capable of. Well Done Mitch!
Seeded into the round of 96, Dean convincingly won his heat against New Zealand's Tim O'Connor and Matt Hatton and Torren Martin both hailing from NSW. Progressing into the round of 48, Dean again won his heat against locals Nick Vasicek and James Wood and New Zealand's Richard Christie. Catapaulting himself into the round of 24 where he again took first place against Sam Lendrum, Chris Bennets and high profile junior Owen Wright.
Moving into the round of 12, nerves certainly didn't get the better of Dean and he again placed first in his heat against Shaun Stevic and Billy Stairmand, earning himself a spot in the quarterfinals, where he came up against Queensland's Blake Ainsworth. Again Dean took out his heat placing first and moved into the semi finals.
After placing first five heats in a row, Dean placed second in his semi final heat against NSW's Jayke Sharp who went on to place second overall. Dean placed third overall and climbed to 10th on the 2008 ASP Australasia Junior Ratings!
Congratulations Dean!
Make sure you look out for Dean when he hits the waves in Perth next week for the 8 star Sunsmart Pro Junior. Also keep an eye out for Mitch Taylor, Dan Moore, Brad King and Huw Toner as the West Pro Juniors compete together for the first time and the West Development Squad's Jethro Hedstrom, Ricky Green, Blake McDonald, Danny Williams, Alex Swadling along with Tod Quartermaine, make a charge for what we hope to be an all West final.
Kind regards,
Brodie Cotter
Team Manager
West Surfing Products