Courtney Conlogue named Team USA “Best of August” Award Finalist

​San Clemente, California (August 31, 2018) – The United States Olympic Committee named Vans US Open 2018 women’s champion Courtney Conlogue a finalist for the Team USA Awards presented by Dow, Best of August, which recognize the outstanding achievements of Team USA athletes. Fans are invited to vote for their favorite athletes and teams at TeamUSA.org/Awards through midnight Tuesday, Sept. 4.
 
This month Conlogue conquered a serious foot injury and beat the best surfers in the world to become the 2018 Vans US Open champion. The Team USA “best of” distinction is shared with athletes who are top in their sports. USA Surfing is calling on all surf fans to cast their vote for Courtney at TeamUSA.org/Awards and spread the word to rally more votes. 
 
“We were beyond stoked to nominate Courtney,” said USA Surfing CEO Greg Cruse. “Her comeback win of the US Open after a serious foot injury forced her out of early events was absolutely epic. Courtney is the first surfer to make it to the finalist stage. This is an exciting moment for surfing as it prepares to make its 2020 Olympic debut.” 
 
USA Surfing president Andrea Swayne said the US Open victory required Conlogue to dig deep physically and mentally to not only overcome the setback of injury, but also deliver an incredible performance that beat the No. 1 and 2 best surfers in the world. “Courtney is clearly determined to achieve her goals of winning a WSL World Championship title and making the USA Surfing Olympic team,” Swayne said. 
 
USA Surfing has known Conlogue since her first competitive surfing years. She was the youngest athlete to make the USA Surfing international team at 11 years old. 
 
In an interview at USA Surfing Championships on The Surf Channel Conlogue said she can’t wait to see surfers walking in the parade of nations with the five rings on Team USA’s uniforms.  “The Olympics for me is just such an amazing experience where so many sports are just respected,” Conlogue said. “I think it is just such a great thing for surfing. Whether you believe it is a lifestyle or a sport – I came into it as a lifestyle and I love it as a sport. It is such a beautiful sport to watch and I think it is important to share it on the Olympic stage.” 
 
According to the USOC’s press release the selection process is based on a mix of votes: “Each National Governing Body may nominate one female, one male and one team per sport discipline. An internal nominating committee selects finalists to advance to the voting round. Votes received from NGB representatives and select members of the media account for 50 percent of the final tally, with the other half determined by online fan voting via TeamUSA.org/Awards.”
 
Contact: Becky Fleischauer, 302-588-0671, becky (at) usasurfing (dot) org