The 55th annual OMBAC Over-The-Line World Championships provided another passionate athletic event and beach festival while it passed the test as the only place to drink alcohol at the beach.
“Both weekends went real smoothly,” said new OMBAC president Stan Holman. “Everyone came together for a good time. Any kind of rush to drink at the beach didn’t happen. People came for the OTL spectacle ” and they got a good one.”
The 2008 Women’s Open final provided the greatest athletic drama of the tournament. Camille Medina teamed with her daughter Marisa, and Stefanie Olow of team Flash Your Sanjo had to beat Sky Box Sports Grill three times in the final games in order to prevail July 20.
The first game ended with an 18-2 loss. But a 7-2 win left both teams with one loss and required a final game. Flash won 6-4 in the final. The victory was a record-setting 12th open championship for Camille, the first for Marisa and the seventh for Olow.
Sky Box players Lisa McGowan, Tess Franklin and Nina Detrow have 15 previous championships among them.
Camille’s record 12 wins equaled Chuck Cromar’s record of men’s open championships.
“I have a great sense of pride to win together with my daughter,” she said. “I’m going in for knee-replacement surgery in a couple weeks ” so this meant a lot. I won’t be able to compete at this level anymore.”
The 2008 Men’s Open champions repeated their 2007 victory, but a little more convincingly. Last year’s marathon was replaced this year with a decisive 37-8 win for Flash Sportswear’s Scott Bello, Kevin Kriese and Tony Maturani over King Stahlman Bail Bonds’ Jeff Briggs, Brent Thornton and David Leyba.
The men’s Century division was won by last year’s runner-up Berkshire, Enright, Stillman, who coincidently are made up of Dougals Berkshire, Mike Enright and Robert Stillman. They defeated Shenanigans Irish Pub players Marc Gurrola, Cesar Gutierrez and Lance Laxsou.
Century refers to the players’ ages, which must add up to more than 100 while each player must be over 30 years of age.
The Men’s Canardly 40+ division was a repeat victory for Winchester Falconry David Cherry, Dennis Christensen and Mark Hughey who defeated Marine St. Codgers Keith Esser, Bub Scott and Derek Thomsen.
The Men’s Cannever 50+ division was won by team Pennant’s Tom Whelan, Shawn Nepo and Bob Quinn over A Buc, A Colt and A Caver, Mark Gregg, Randy Johnson and Mark Kotzink.
The Men’s Cadaver set of 60+ athletes was topped by Silver Rhyno’s Al Hamilton, Dan Roberson and Jim Carns over Take It To The Limit’s Ray Ramsey, Corey Northrup and Paul Tuoumainen.
The new Men’s Camummy division of 70+ was won by veteran sluggers Fairway Ford’s Merle Cummings, Salyepiz and John Ihrig over Ernie Miller, Rico Coronado and Dick North.
The Women’s Century division also saw repeat champs from Clairemont Surf Shop Wahines Julie Dorssett, Carolyn Fisher and Toni Duke over I’m Just Sayin-4th Ave Gym’s Char Falkner, Tami Lankford and Angie Marc.
The Women’s Canalways 40+ division Bahama Mamas rallied from second place last year to a fresh victory. Sandy Montalvo, Shelly Baumann and Emma Morrison defeated Wood n Hooters Kelly Jolliss, Kari Rocco and Marylou Flynn.
The Women’s Caneasy 50+ division was settled when Jan McNamara, Jan Fehling and Gayla Spangler defeated Mamogram and a Half Barbra Salaus, Linn McNamara and Linda Sweeny.
On Saturday, July 19, Rebecca Johnson became Ms. Emerson 2008, the OMBAC beauty queen spokesperson. The blond-haired Hillcrest resident is an insurance agent and dance teacher.
“This is my first year coming out to OTL,” Johnson said. “I’m excited about the role I will be playing in OMBAC ” I’m up for the challenge. This is a great group with wonderful programs. I’m looking forward to a rewarding year.”
The 450-member Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) again hosted the Over The Line Championships as their primary fundraiser for numerous civic projects including youth and adaptive sports activity support, scholarships and cancer research.
“What we earn in San Diego, stays in San Diego,” Holman said.
More information about OTL and other OMBAC events is available at www.OMBAC.org.