LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Tuesday, July 3, 2012) ?Courtney Conlogue (USA), 19, has had a breakthrough year on the ASP Women?s World Championship Tour. The young natural-footer has vaulted to No. 4 among the ASP Top 17, taking out her maiden elite tour victory as well as two ASP 6-Star wins while asserting herself as the first American female ASP World Title contender since Lisa Anderson. ESPN caught up with Conlogue about her ASP World Title hopes, her training regimen and having fun along the way. This? is their story?
“I don’t remember when it’s been this close with the top five,? Conlogue says over the phone. She’s at home in Santa Ana, Calif., prepping for the upcoming Roxy Pro Biarritz — the sixth of seven stops on the ASP Women’s World Tour. Approaching last year’s Roxy Pro, a staggering reversal of fortune was the single potential threat to Carissa Moore’s world title. This year, the top five women all have reasonable claims, if arduous paths, to the throne. Currently ranked fourth, Conlogue is just 600 points behind Moore and 900 ahead of Tyler Wright. “Usually, the top two run away with it, but it’s still anyone’s game,” she continues. “It’s definitely going to be a nail-biting finish for that world title.”
With a fondness for ice cream and a jocular, compassionate nature, the 19-year-old Tour sophomore appears non-threatening. That makes her an even bigger threat. Remember: The most merciful hunters strive for clean kills.
Since March, Conlogue has taken out two 6-stars and the World Tour’s Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic in Sydney.
“I definitely want that world title and I’m really striving for it,” she says, “but I think pressure buckles a lot of people. I think just doing what I’ve been doing and building on that is the best way to go, versus really stressing myself out and trying to leap too far.”
For the full interview with Conlogue log on to ESPN.com.
