By SDCN Staff
Oceanside, CA–Leilani McGonagle (CRC) claimed a major win at the Super Girl Surf Pro, a World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 4,000-level event.
Longtime Super Girl standout, McGonagle, earned her maiden victory in Oceanside and became the first international competitor to do so in Super Girl history after besting two-time event victor Alyssa Spencer (USA) in an electric final.
Long-time Super Girl Surf Pro standout Leilani McGonagle (CRC) found her breakthrough victory in unstoppable fashion. This marks McGonagle’s, 24, first-ever Super Girl win and fourth-career QS win after overcoming two-time Super Girl Surf Pro victor Alyssa Spencer (USA) in the Final. Previously, McGonagle’s best result was multiple quarterfinal finishes, and now she surges to No. 5 on the North America rankings.
The final kicked off quickly with McGonagle finding an early opportunity to strike before Spencer answered right back, getting a slight edge on her opponent with a 5.67 (out of a possible 10). Then, the two North America QS standouts had another exchange moments later with McGonagle’s forehand combination earning a 5.93, but Spencer’s backhand precision and timing took over to earn a 6.50 and regain the lead. But, a brilliant exchange at the 10-minute mark witnessed McGonagle unleash her forehand power on multiple sections to post an excellent 8.17, while Spencer was limited to one forehand hit. The ocean let Spencer down with closeouts as the clock expired, crowning McGonagle the victor.
“This is one of the events I really wanted to win because it was my first-ever QS. It’s a very full circle moment. I think it’s been 10 years since I first did this event,” said McGonagle. “It’s really cool and awesome to be here with my friends and my mom. It just feels amazing. I was excited to see a bigger set come through, and I knew if I could surf it to my ability that it would be a good score, and I’m just happy.”
Perennial North America QS standout Leilani McGonagle (CRC) battled her way to a massive win after taking on emerging threat Lanea Mons (USA) in the Round of 16 before a classic showdown with 2024 Air Force Super Girl Surf Pro winner Kirra Pinkerton (USA). McGonagle, 24, then went on to take down former Pipe Pro CT victor Moana Jones Wong (HAW) to storm toward her first-ever Super Girl final against Spencer.
“I’m just happy to keep growing in surfing,” added McGonagle. “These girls are the ones who push me every day to be better and keep showing. I’d tell the young women out there to keep it fun, keep surfing, and keep enjoying it. Never lose the essence of it because it’s competition, just keep enjoying what really makes you happy in the water.”
A two-time Super Girl champion, Alyssa Spencer (USA) is one of only two surfers to claim a win on both the East and West Coast and nearly added a historic third cape to her collection.
Spencer’s insatiable run to the final started against Zoey Kaina (USA), pushing her to the ropes with progression in an action-packed Round of 16 bout. Then, a Super Girl showdown awaited Spencer with her Quarterfinal bout against defending event winner Eden Walla (USA). Spencer struck first after a slow start and held firm to earn a fourth semifinal showing in her last five Super Girl Surf Pro appearances in Oceanside, where she faced an in-form Bailey Turner (USA) before a second Final in two years.
“I feel like I found my rhythm again. It felt good to just show my surfing,” said Spencer. “I felt like I could show what I could do. It helped me just get that motivation back after feeling like I’ve been in a rut it feels like. I just feel so at home here and it’s an event I can find a lot of rhythm in.”
Entering the Super Girl Surf Pro, Bailey Turner (USA) already had two Semifinal appearances to her name and surged through Finals Day once more. Turner opened up her run against fellow emerging talent Kaia Howard (USA) in the Round of 16 before a battle with proven North America QS contender Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) in the Quarterfinals.
Former two-time Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui QS Regional victor Moana Jones Wong(HAW) took control on Finals Day in heavyweight matchups from the start. Jones Wong had to face one of North America’s decorated contenders Zoe Benedetto (USA) in the Round of 16 before facing current Challenger Series competitor Sol Aguirre (PER) in their Quarterfinal showdown.
Both Turner and Jones Wong take over the No. 1 spots on the rankings, leaving the Super Girl Surf Pro.
Super Girl Surf Pro Final Results:
1- Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 14.10 4,000 points
2- Alyssa Spencer (USA) 13.43 3,120 points
Super Girl Surf Pro Semifinals Results:
HEAT 1: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 13.50 DEF. Bailey Turner (USA) 3.00
HEAT 2: Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 13.50 DEF. Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 7.60
Super Girl Surf Pro Quarterfinals Results:
HEAT 1: Bailey Turner (USA) 11.83 DEF. Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 9.93
HEAT 2: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 12.43 DEF. Eden Walla (USA) 9.07
HEAT 3: Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 12.44 DEF. Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 11.17
HEAT 4: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 10.90 DEF. Sol Aguirre (PER) 10.44
Super Girl Surf Pro Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Bailey Turner (USA) 11.40 DEF. Kaia Howard (USA) 9.23
HEAT 2: Sanoa Dempfle-Olin (CAN) 12.34 DEF. Reid Van Wagoner (USA) 10.93
HEAT 3: Eden Walla (USA) 14.40 DEF. Ocea Green (CAN) 10.77
HEAT 4: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 12.50 DEF. Zoey Kaina (USA) 12.34
HEAT 5: Kirra Pinkerton (USA) 11.84 DEF. Daya McCart (USA) 9.20
HEAT 6: Leilani McGonagle (CRC) 12.74 DEF. Lanea Mons (USA) 12.50
HEAT 7: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 11.50 DEF. Zoe Benedetto (USA) 5.50
HEAT 8: Sol Aguirre (PER) 14.83 DEF. Vaihitimahana Inso (HAW) 10.66
