Gilmore delivers a champion’s lesson

Courtney Conlogue makes it clear that education is just as important as her burgeoning surfing career.

In a women’s semifinal Saturday at the Honda U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, the 14-year-old from Santa Ana learned a lesson in wave priority from the event’s eventual champion, Stephanie Gilmore of Australia.

Conlogue was leading Gilmore with about three minutes remaining when Conlogue took off on a wave that failed to add to her lead. Instead, her decision gave away rights to the next wave.

“I tried to keep the judges moving on the scores and keep them interested,” she said of her decision to give up priority.

Gilmore, who is tied for No. 1 on the World Championship Tour, took advantage of Conlogue’s reasoning, spotting a set that rolled in with about a minute remaining and working a wave to shore for a score of 6.13 out of a possible 10. That propelled her into the lead and she held on for a 13.13-12.33 victory over Conlogue.

“You have to try and do your best and keep priority all the time,” Conlogue said. “Especially with Stephanie.”

Gilmore, a 19-year-old from New South Wales, won the final over Karina Petroni of Florida, 14.64-11.50, producing four waves scores that bettered Petroni’s best.

“I think the both of us were a bit fatigued, and the waves were really slow and pretty mushy,” Gilmore said of the final. “We’re good mates, and we have been since we were about 12, so it’s great surfing against Karina.”

Conlogue, who will be a sophomore this fall at Sage Hill, a private school in Newport Beach, took the lead with seven minutes remaining in her semifinal, forcing Gilmore to produce a score of 5.33 or better to regain the lead. Conlogue advanced through two heats earlier Saturday, outlasting several veteran performers.

“I tried my best and tried to give everyone a run for their money,” Conlogue said. “Get a little taste of what I’ll be doing next year and just keep the ball rolling.”

Conlogue called the result the best of her career, even better than her ninth-place finish in her first WCT event last December at the Billabong Pro Maui.

Because of schoolwork and her participation on the school’s track and field team, Conlogue has competed in only one World Qualifying Series event this year, finishing second at a small event in Huntington Beach in the spring. Conlogue said she’s uncertain whether she will return to Sage Hill’s cross-country team in the fall.

“I have to focus on academics next semester,” she said. “Try to get through my sophomore year with A’s and Bs.”

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Gabe Kling is trying to avoid the one and done.

After six long years on the WQS, the 26-year old from St. Augustine, Fla., qualified for the WCT this year. However, midway through his rookie season, Kling has won only one heat in five contests, leaving him tied for 40th on the 45-man tour.

Kling said his unfamiliarity with contest venues and the step up in competition have been eye-openers.

“It’s definitely humbling,” Kling said of his WCT experience. “Everybody is a real savvy competitor, so it’s not like you’re having any easy heats.”

Only the top 27 at season’s end requalify for the WCT, so Kling is trying to rack up points on the WQS, the only qualifying tour for the WCT. He can also requalify for the WCT if he finishes in the top 15 on the WQS at year’s end. Kling, who came into the U.S. Open ranked No. 33 on the WQS, won his heat Saturday in the round of 24 to advance to today’s round of 16.

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WCT veteran C.J. Hobgood of Melbourne, Fla., also advanced, earning a wave score of 8.33 late in his heat in the round of 24, moving him from third to first.

Brett Simpson of Huntington Beach was the final Southland surfer to be eliminated from the men’s competition. He was knocked out of the final qualifying spot in the round of 24 when Chris Davidson of Australia earned a wave score of 9.07 with about seven minutes remaining.

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dan.arritt@latimes.com