TOP SHOP 2004 TEAM SKATEBOARD
COMPETITION REPORT
Let it be known that TOP SHOP is the first and
original team skateboard competition -
conceptualized in the 3rd Lair SkatePark by resident
pro Chad Benson and builder Erik 'Woody'
Froland . This is our second annual year hosting
this unique contest, a format that pits 5 man teams
against each other. The winning team is decided up
on each rider's highest scoring run.
In order for a team to rank high in the standings in
this years competition, each member needed to
have a near flawless run. One bad run and your
team would not finish in the top ten. Most of the
teams that entered had 5 really good riders and it
was a complete battle to make it into one of the top
ten spots. We had a total of 22 teams enter this
year!, up 12 from last year. We were honored that
so many teams and people came out to make the
journey to this event.
Our scene here in the Midwest is rolling strong, we
have top-notch riders and we challenge anybody,
anywhere, to put your team together to see how
they stand up to our boys! Very soon, the Midwest
will be known for producing some of the industry's
top pros. But for now, lets move on…
With a 100 + riders trying to get their practice on, it
was a little tough to get photos and try to figure out
who was looking good. I did notice some people
right off the start -
4 Seasons a skatepark that has 2 locations had a
very strong team: Dan Nepscha , who I believe is
on Beer City, is a rail killer! He goes the long way
to the rail on our center obstacle - ollie up and over
to lipslide and landing on the down slant. Dan's
other teammate - Mario Matabele was another
ripper a younger kid with good style who reminded
me a little bit of Carlos DeAndrade.
Northern Athletik had some heavy hitters with Mike
Robke and Ben Vance . They both real smooth
styles and rode the course strong. Bad Boyz Toyz
also had a tight squad with Kyle Turbush and
Drew Porter pulling in the top scores for their
team.
Everybody was back from last year with the
exception of G- Shock, they are closed down at
present. Of the teams coming back for their second
year - Board To Death's Sam Schafer had an
excellent run as well as The Hut's Brendan
Connely . B T D and the Hut rounded off the top
ten; very respectable out of 22 teams.
Newcomers, Expression Skate Shop out of St.
Paul had a good first year's showing with 11th
place, just edging out Chicago's Uprise by 1 friggin
point. It should also be noted Patrick Hergins from
Sky High had a good run.
Everybody knew that Fobia was the team to beat
with soon to be pro Seth McCullum and top ams
Jr. Mint and Jamiel. Cal Surf was leading in the
earlier part of the day but could not hang on for the
win - Fobia edge them out for first. On kinda of a
last whim, we decided to enter our Grom Team
and out of everybody's amazement they placed
3rd!! I absolutely cannot even believe this - our 12
and under team beat out 20 other teams! I am so
proud of those guys - they all had such good runs!!
The great part of this event is how it brings
everybody together in a 'team environment', not
everything is just resting on your individual
shoulders. It seems to reduce the stress and
anxiety usually affiliated with entering a
competition. The format was well received by
everybody and it good to see how your team ranks
against everybody else. Next year will be our 3rd
Annual and we will turn it into a 3-day event - Fri.
practice / Sat. qualifiers / Sun. finals and best trick.
Part of our success with this contest is our
partnership with Slap Magazine , thanks to them a
lot more teams found out about the event and we
thank them for that. Our official drink sponsor -
Coke donated one thousand dollars into the cash
purse, as well as our other supporters: Phil Mero
from Red Bull, Split Clothing, Accel Wheels,
Alien Workshop, Silver Trucks, S - One, and a
special thanks to Project Hardware for helping
us to get the word out.
We cordially invite teams from across America to
come up to Minnesota, compete, and find out who
has the TOP SHOP TEAM in the Nation for 2005!
WARP M.B. 8TH
JOEY STEADMAN 83
LUKE STANDISH 69
JOHN DICKSON 66.33333333
MIKE OWENS 80.33333333
TOM EVANS 73.33333333
FINAL TEAM SCORE 372
BOARD TO DEATH 9TH
SAM SCHAFER 84
SHANE GOLDER 67.66666667
CORY ANDERSON 73.6666667
CHRIS PATNAUDE 75.66666667
JORDAN GARRIS 68
FINAL TEAM SCORE 369
THE HUT 10TH
TYLER PEABODY 73
JASON KNOLL 68.33333333
BRENDAN CONNELLY 79
PAT SEVRUD 74.66666667
PATRICK GALLANER 73.33333333
FINAL TEAM SCORE 368.3333333
EXPRESSION 11TH
JAN JACOBSON 82
DAVID JAIMES 81.6666667
KEITH MUSANZ 75.33333333
JAKE LINDGREN 72.33333333
LOW TEAM SCORE 56
FINAL TEAM SCORE 367.3333334
UPRISE 12TH
NEIL ERICKSON 75.33333333
JACKSON HENNESEY 77.33333333
CHRIS BURNETTE 79.66666667
NATE OLSON 73.66666667
STU JACOBS 60
FINAL TEAM SCORE 366
SKY HIGH 13TH
PATRICK HERGINS 82.33333333
JOHN METHVIN 73.66666667
ROB CAMPBELL 58
PEDRO GRINDEL 72.66666667
SHANE BROWNING 75
FINAL TEAM SCORE 361.6666667
FONIX 14TH
JACK BOYD 73
CASEY MORRISSEY 69.6666667
STEVE SIETZ 79
JASON BARR 80.66666667
JOHN FEICK 50
FINAL TEAM SCORE 352.3333334
UNDERLOUD 15TH
ZACH KOSS 73
MARK MCULLOUGH 69
NICK SOMMER 70.66666667
RYAN WARFFUEL 68
TYLER EDWARD MORRIS 70.33333333
FINAL TEAM SCORE 351
LAKE OWEN 16TH
NAME SCORE NAME SCORE
SHAWN HANLEY 79.66666667
ANTHONY BRUNSON 77
GREGG PILOTO 77.66666667
HARVEY HASKINS 69.33333333
DAN CARDINELL 45.33333333
FINAL TEAM SCORE 349
DWELLERS 17TH
DAVE BISEL 71.66666667
NICK DRAVES 67.33333333
SKYLER GANTERT 66.66666667
MATT ATHANASION 69.33333333
COREY NELSON 71
FINAL TEAM SCORE 346
FOBIA (2) 18TH
ELIJAH COLLARD 77.33333333
DAN JACKSON 68.33333333
ADAM LONGFIELD 69
WAYNE ZERR 55
TIM BENNETT 74.33333333
FINAL TEAM SCORE 344
SOUTHPORT RIGGING 19TH
STU DODGE 73.33333333
NICK GREEN 64
MATT WEBB 50
SEAN MATHCOCK 72.66666667
CHRISTIAN RIVERA 74.33333333
FINAL TEAM SCORE 334.3333333
IN THE WORKS 20TH
REGAN KILLMER 64.66666667
JOHN ARMENDERAZ 75.33333333
JOE WILLIAMS 55.66666667
DAN WILLIAMS 62.66666667
DOM HESS 73.66666667
FINAL TEAM SCORE 332
NENDZA'S 21ST
COLTON AMMUNDSON 54
JESS MONSON 59.33333333
CLAY HATHAWAY 56
EVAN WITSCHEN 73.33333333
RYAN MARKWARDT 57.66666667
FINAL TEAM SCORE 300.3333333
CHEAP SKATES 22ND
DREW LADWIG 59.33333333
MATT KRAWCZYK 52.33333333
ADAM WUESTENHAGEN 61.66666667
ERIC POPOUR 53.66666667
MICHAEL PEULEBERG 61
FINAL TEAM SCORE 288
2004 RESULTS
FOBIA (1) 1ST [$800.00]
JAMIEL NOWPARVER 86
JASON BYRNE 82.33
MIKE BRACKEY 77.33
NATE COMPHER 89
SETH MCCALLUM 88.66
FINAL TEAM SCORE 423.33
FINAL TEAM SCORE 423.3333333
CAL SURF 2ND [$500.00]
MIKE MUNZENRIDER 80.66666667
ADAM DALEN 82
JAKE SMITH 84.33333333
JEFF AMENDOLA 81.33333333
MIKE GOODMAN 76.33333333
FINAL TEAM SCORE 404.6666667
3RD LAIR (2) 3RD [$300.00]
CODY DAVIS 80.66666667
DAN NARLOCH 79
TOM ROHER 82
NEAL SHIPE 80.66666667
KIERAN STONE 79.66666667
FINAL TEAM SCORE 402
4 SEASONS 4TH [$200.00]
BRAD MONTE 79.66666667
JON BARTEIS 79.66666667
DAN NEPSCHA 86.33333333
MIKE TANK 65.66666667
MARIO MATABELE 81.33333333
FINAL TEAM SCORE 392.6666667
BAD BOYZ TOYZ 5TH [$100.00]
KYLE TURBUSH 81.66666667
RANDY KORWIN 76.33333333
NATHAN PORTER 79
SEAN MCNALLEY 70.33333333
DREW PORTER 80.33333333
FINAL TEAM SCORE 387.6666667
3RD LAIR (1) 6TH
MIKE GUY 81.33333333
BRIAN GODFREY 55.33333333
C.J. TAMBORNINO 85.33333333
TOM BEGGS 82.66666667
TONY LANNERS 70.66666667
FINAL TEAM SCORE 375.3333333
NORTHERN ATHLETIC 7TH
MIKE ROEBKE 58.33333333
BEN VANCE 79
CHUCK NORRIS 75
JEFF BAUMAN 76.66666667
JEFF CHASE 85.66666667
FINAL TEAM SCORE 374.6666667 add text.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE TEAMS THAT COMPETED IN THE 2004 TOP SHOP!!!
RESULTS FOR THE 2003
TOP SHOP COMPETITION
1 - FOBIA I (CHAMPS)
2 - CAL SURF
3 - UPRISE (tie)
3 - BAD BOYZ TOYZ (tie)
5 - FOBIA II
6 - 3RD LAIR
7 - G SHOCK/PIT SKATEPARK
8 - G SHOCK
9 - BOARD 2 DEATH
10 - THE HUT
The Story of the Top Shop
Competition…
This was our first annual Top Shop Comp.
The format for this contest was the
brainchild of our resident pro skater Chad
Benson. The idea was to invite shops from
all over the Midwest to come to the 3rd Lair
and compete against the other teams. The
scoring was done in a team format -
combined cumulative of everybody on the
team. There were five riders on each
team; their top run went toward the team
score.
This contest format seemed to appeal to
everybody we invited and the turn out
was great. We had teams come all the
way from Chicago - Bad Boyz Toyz and
Uprise. Almost every Minnesota skate
shop entered the competition - Fobia, Cal
Surf, The Hut, Board to Death (Rochester),
G-Shock Skatepark, and The Pit Skatepark
(Rockford, Il.). The notables that did not
make it to the competition were - The
Youth Shelter from St. Cloud, Freestyle of
Duluth, Sky High and Phase II from
Milwaukee. We hope to see you guys next
year and many others.
There were ten teams that entered the
competition - 50 riders total. Each rider
would get 2 one-minute runs. The heats
were divided up with one rider from each
team - 5 heats total. Everybody got a good
couple of hours to practice their lines and
the contest started promptly at 5:00pm on
Saturday, March 1st.
It was great to see these guys skate the
park all by themselves without anybody
getting in their way. The course is very big
and each rider had their own unique way
of utilizing the obstacles. Our course was
definitely designed with a contest in mind
and I know our head builder - Erik (Woody)
Froland was interested in seeing how
these elite skaters would put their lines
together.
Steve Gareri was of course on the mike
and did a great job of emceeing the
competition. I got some good photos during
practice but I was too intimidated to go out
onto the course during the actual contest
runs. I did not want to screw up anybody's
line.
Everybody that rode represented their
shop well. The level of skating was
insane. I knew it was going to be good, but
I had no idea how consistent some of
these riders were.
Notables were:
Nate Compher - he's from the Fobia team
and had a great run, he utilized the course
well and has a sick, laid back style of
skating. He's got the 'I'm not really trying'
style; yet he still makes everything. I really
enjoyed his runs and I know the crowd did
too because everybody went just nuts.
Jason Burne - is another Fobia rider and
he had the best most consistent run of the
contest in my opinion. He did not bail one of
his tricks! That's right he rode that course
for a minute straight and did not miss
anything. I think the crowd was just
stunned and could not believe their eyes.
This humble, young kid just blew every
other rider out of the water. He definitely
has a good future ahead of him in
skateboarding.
Jeremy Reeves - he rides for us so I
probably shouldn't hype him up to much -
not to be bias. The level of difficulty in his
runs were on a pro level without a doubt.
He stuck a switch frontside boardslide
down the handrail and it was the best trick
of the contest in my opinion.
Congratulations to Joe and all the riders
over at Fobia - you have assembled an
amazing team and have set the bar very,
very high. I'm sure that these guys will be
ready to defend their title next year.
Later on that night during the after party we
had a best trick contest. Woody had built a
secret obstacle to hold this on and busted it
out for everybody to ride. It was a sick
homemade picnic table and an intense
session ensued. Andy Paulson was trying
this insane no-grab foot plant maneuver that
might have won the contest if he had made
it. It was between Mike Munzenrider and
Chad Benson for the winner, after much
deliberation we decided to give it to Mike
because he stuck a hardflip backside 180
over the table.
A special thanks goes out to our Judges -
Brian Perry from Hardflip.com, Ryan
Rousslang, Josh Holton, Darren McCannon
and Rob Sissi from Supernatural Clothing.
Also thanks to Rob Miller who had the hectic
job as the official scorekeeper. Scott O from
Cal Surf and Joe G from Fobia for each
buying a keg of beer for the party. And
especially everybody that traveled to enter
this contest, your journey made it extra
special and we hope to see you all again
soon. Also thanks to all the bands that
played - you rocked down the house and
we hope to have you back next time.
It should also be noted that we did not have
one outside sponsor for this competition. Its
not that we didn't want sponsors but we felt
like it would be hard to get companies to
donate prize money on such short notice.
Next year we will be seeking sponsors for
this event to donate prize money. Please
contact the 3rd Lair if you are interested.
In closing, this was a very fun event and
we will be doing it on an annual basis. We
hope they everybody had a great time and
invite you to come back for our next special
event - Our Cinco De Mayo Out Contest…
stay tuned.
-Mulla
The 3rd annual TOP SHOP - Team Skateboard Competition presented by the skateboard MAG was held on April 15th - 17th, 2005 at the 3rd Lair Skatepark in Minneapolis, Mn. The 3rd Lairs own team of young, up and coming rippers upset the heavily favored Fobia team. Bad Boyz Toys , being lead by Kyle Terbush , just missed second place. Cal Surf placed a very respectable fourth place, followed by the Warp Skatepark / MB Boardshop . These top 5 teams all received a cash payment for their combined efforts.
Individual standouts were Marissa del Santo from RQ Boardshop , she scored an 87 which was one of the highest of the entire contest. Only, Junior Mint could top her for 'Best Run' honors. Eddie Kochendorfer , won the 'Best Trick' with a kickflip noseslide, kickflip crooks, and heelflip backside 5-0, he received $350 plus $100 from Roots and for his gnarlyness.
23 Shops from all over the country participated in this 5 man, amateur, team skateboard competition. Head judge Jason Rothmeyer , one of the most respected in the industry flew out to partake in this annual event held at the 3rd Lair SkatePark in beautiful Minneapolis, Mn.
2005 was the 3rd Annual TOP SHOP and next year's will be even bigger with more teams, more cash, another Skateboard Trivia Contest and a free Skateboard Trade Show Event with companies soon to be confirmed such as Accel Wheels, Project Hardware, Split Clothing, Listen Skateboards and many more.
The TOP SHOP - Team Skateboard Competition is a great way to receive exposure for your shop as well as your team riders. It is also a great opportunity for skateboard companies and their sales reps to meet the true foundation of our industry the core, shop owners , their staff and the skateboarders that ride for their team.
Presented by – the skateboard MAG and Element
Prize Purse Details
$5000.00 grand total + $1000.00 in Element product for winning team’s shop
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TradeShow and Contest Schedule
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Party Schedule
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Registration
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Other Details
· Host Hotel – Super 8 @ 763 546 6277 (right across the street) (ask for 3rd Lair Group Rate)
· Brian Perry (Hardflip.com), & Jamie Erickson (Mn. Legend!)
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Hometown Final Score
