PRESS RELEASE

Torra & Whitaker win Gold—High School/Collegiate Judo Results
San Jose, CA - 18 year old, Nate Torra led the way for the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Club by winning a Gold medal at the National Collegiate Championships, March 16, 2002. Torra, who is a freshman at Berkshire Community College went 3-0 in the 60kg division to win the his first National Collegiate title with wins over Dartanyon Burrows (CA), Brandon Maki (HI) and Shozo Fukuda (CA) in the final. 15 year old, Peggy Whitaker won a Gold at the National High School Championship which is held on the same day and same venue as the Collegiate's. Whitaker, who is a sophomore at Schalmont High School also went 3-0 to claim her second straight National High School title. Last year, Peggy won the 41kg weight class and this year she won the 44kg division. Whtaker beat Brianna Matsuura(CA) twice and Dana Fujimoto(WA) on her way to the title. Liz Burns, a Burnt Hills High School Junior had an outstanding day going 5-2 in 52kg to claim a silver medal. Burns opened the day with a loss to 2001 Sr. National Champ, Teresa Ratanasurakarn(CA), but climbed all the way back in the loser's bracket with 5 straight wins. Her wins were against Margaret Zubek (IL), Kati Bartkowski (CT), Ratanasurakarn, Tawney Uemura (CA) and Katherine Ensler (OK). This put her in the final in the double elimination system. Liz had to again beat Ensler but came up short in her seventh match losing by a referee's decision. Burns was a bronze medalist last year. "Our kids continue to put in the preparation time and it is paying off with victories" Coach, Teri Takemori said at a press conferenece after the event. Torra and Burns will be joined next week by Jason Morris Judo Club teammate Carrie Chandler when they travel to Lafayette, LA to compete in the Swamp Classic.