Westcliff Surf Team Clinches State Titles at NSSA Championship
Westcliff University’s surf team continues to redefine collegiate surfing, consistently outpacing NCAA Division I competition and proving that the Warriors are a force to be reckoned with. This past weekend at the NSSA State Championship held at Seaside, Westcliff surfers delivered an unforgettable performance, with two standout athletes—Taylor Stacy and Jordy Collins—earning individual state titles in the women’s and men’s divisions, respectively. An accomplishment that even garnered attention from Team USA Olympic Surfing.
Stacy summed up the excitement of the weekend, saying, “It’s always fun to win, especially when you’ve got such an amazing team and coach backing you! This contest holds a lot of memories for me—from middle school to now. To win for the team is an amazing feeling, and having Jordy as my teammate made it even more special. Thank you, Coach Lucas, for bringing us together. I’m so grateful for this opportunity!”
Westcliff is a pioneer in collegiate surfing being the first in history to offer academic scholarships for surfers, establishing a platform for a program that is now as recognizable as those at UCLA, UCSD, San Diego State, or USC. Westcliff has created a legacy of surfing greatness. So when alumnus Robbie Crist—the OG of Westcliff surfers—showed up to help hoist a hard-fought trophy, it adds a layer of history and pride that resonates deeply within the team.
A Season of Unstoppable Momentum
Throughout the weekend, the Warriors demonstrated resilience and determination. The team finished fourth overall—just six points shy of the state title, a gap equivalent to a single heat win. With four teams (UCSD, Point Loma, UCLA, and Westcliff) separated by the slimmest of margins, every heat mattered. Yet Westcliff had something that set them apart: the exceptional performances of Stacy and Collins.
Stacy made a remarkable impact by winning three consecutive events and reaching three finals in a row, an achievement that reflects her world-class skill and relentless work ethic that made her the state champion. Collins, on the men’s side, showcased his talent with a performance that earned himself the state championship, proving that Westcliff’s investment in its surf program is yielding extraordinary results.
Reflecting on the weekend Collins said, “This win definitely meant a lot to me. Having only one regular season event win this year definitely left me wanting more. I brought that fire into state champs. With a solid forecast of waves and having grown up close to Seaside I knew this would play into my strengths. Every heat I just wanted to keep showing up for my team. In the end it went my way so I’m stoked and can’t wait to bring the same energy into nationals!”
Head Coach Lucas Taub expressed his pride in the team saying, “We battled up until the very end. And to have Jordy win the men’s state title, and Taylor win the women’s state title – it’s huge. They put in the time and effort in the water and their studies.”
Lucas, a former Westcliff student-athlete who carried a 4.0 GPA and was a state champion himself now leads the team and is passionate about building a close-knit surf family. “Everyone supported each other from sun-up to sun-down. I think we were the loudest team on the beach, hands down,” he remarked. That sense of unity is the cornerstone of the program, which operates on Westcliff’s 5Cs philosophy—Character, Culture, Community, Commitment, and Championships.
Breaking Barriers and Setting New Standards
Westcliff’s surf program has elevated the sport to varsity status, attracting top-tier talent and providing resources that other institutions have only recently begun to recognize. “Surfing has historically been overlooked in college athletics, but Westcliff saw the potential and gave us a platform. We’re not just a club—we’re a team,” Taub explained.
Alongside the star performances of Stacy and Collins, the contributions of other team members, including local talent Blaze Roche, who reached his first final, have added to the overall success and point total of the team. This collective effort now fuels their drive heading into the national championships.
Looking Ahead: Nationals on Home Turf
With the 2025 NSSA National Interscholastic College Championships approaching at Salt Creek in Dana Point from June 13 through 15, the Warriors are riding high on momentum and team spirit. “For me, I love it—I’m a Dana Point guy, and we surf there every week. We know the waves like the back of our hands,” said Taub, underscoring the team’s deep connection to their local roots and competitive environment.
As Westcliff Surf continues to grow both in talent and spirit, the future looks incredibly bright. The journey from being a small program to a nationally recognized team is a testament to hard work, innovation, and the unwavering support from the entire Westcliff community. With championships on the horizon, the Warriors are poised to ride the wave of success into the future.