Newport’s Doheny takes fourth in junior pro event

HUNTINGTON BEACH — Andrew Doheny was just happy to be here Monday, at the Huntington Beach Pier surfing in the final of the Nike 6.0 Pier Pressure Pro Junior.

Doheny, of Newport Beach, ended up with a fourth-place finish after a four-man finals heat that was scored over 30 minutes.

Each surfer’s top two waves made up for his combined score.

The 15-year-old won $1,300 for his placement. He was the lone American among the finalists as the field included three Australians.

“I was just excited to make the final,” Doheny said. “I really didn’t do anything great in my heats, but I was happy to be among the final four.

“I’m really stoked because this is my first time making finals at Jr. Pro.”

Doheny didn’t emerge as a favorite in the early rounds of the competition but did just enough to advance his way through to Monday’s finals.

Monday morning, Doheny did win his quarterfinal heat — the fourth of four four-man heats and the only heat that was an all-U.S. final. In the semifinals held just after noon, he finished second in the second of two four-man semifinal heats. The top two finishers in each of the two semifinal heats advanced to the final.

Also advancing to Monday’s final were Aussies Julian Wilson, Stuart Kennedy and Chris Salisbury. Wilson won his semifinal heat and Salisbury beat out Doheny in the second semifinal heat.

Wilson, who was one of the top performers over the two-day event, ended up winning the event and the top prize of $3,500. Kennedy was second ($2,000) and Salisbury was third ($1,800).

— Mike Sciacca