2004 Top Shop Story
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
