CEE STUDENT WINS PRESTIGIOUS KITEBOARDING EVENT IN N.C.

Mark Miedama Jr., a civil engineering student, surprised the field at the recent Triple-S Kiteboarding Invitational on Cape Hatteras in North Carolina.

As a wild-card entry, Miedama defeated some of the top pros from around the world in the surf division of the Triple-S. The surf division was a natural for Miedama, who grew up on the water as a member of the OCHS surf team and a five-year kiteboarder. Miedama's father, Mark Sr., is coach of the high school team and a teacher at the Intermediate School.

When he's not studying, Miedama is continuing to "live the dream"-logging as much time as possible on the water. He's on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts for the summer teaching sailing. Miedama is a member of the ODU sailing team.

And because the best kiteboarding conditions are so different from the best surfing conditions, Miedama says he can double the potential fun.

"I get the best of both worlds," he said.