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Burns & Chandler win Silver--Fall Classic Judo Championships
Louisville, KY - Liz Burns (17) and Carrie Chandler (21) of the Jason Morris Judo Club won Silver medals at USA Judo's Fall Classic Sunday, September 1, 2002. Burns opened her day at 52kg by pinning Alex Causey (CA) then defeated #3 ranked Rosi Bartkowski (CA) by yuko. The final pitted Burns against US #1, Charlee Minkin. Liz held a koka lead in the 5 minute bout until the last 20 seconds when Minkin managed to score yuko to seal the victory. Burns then arm barred Bartkowski to set up another match against Minkin in the double elimination event. Minkin dominated from the start and beat Burns for the fourth straight time. Burns and Minkin have met in two previous finals, the 2002 US Nationals and the Benito Juarez International in Mexico. Burns will now turn her focus to the Jr. Worlds in Jeju, Korea. She will be leaving along with coach, Teri Takemori on September 9 and compete on September 12. Chandler dominated her first three 57kg opponents winning all by ippon in less the 2 minutes to set the final against rival and #1 ranked, Ellen Wilson. 2000 Olympian and 3-time World team member, Wilson won their only previous meeting in the final of the 2002 US Sr. Nationals. Chandler competed extremely well this time but couldn't quite get the job done and lost sending her in the loser's bracket. Carrie crushed Shana Sugiara (CA) to set up another match with Wilson. Chandler started strong and held a koka lead, but got caught for yuko with tomoenage and pinned for ippon leaving Carrie with a silver. "Carrie and Liz fought great" said coach , Jason Morris "They are on the heels of Minkin and WIlson way ahead of schedule and it is just a matter of experience now" Morris continued. Nate Torra (19) went 3-2 at 66kg, but did not place. Torra squandered two waza-ari leads in his two losses which were matches he clearly should have one. "Torra is on the brink of breaking through in this weight class" (Torra recently moved up from 60kg) said Morris. Three new club members, Gina Franzese (21), Nick Kossor and Gregg Rubin had promising debuts. Franzese was 0-2 in 57kg, but was trying her new moves that haven't been perfected yet. 16 year old, Kossor went toe to toe with #6 ranked Josh Ramirez in his first fight then threw Ari Molina for ippon with uchimata in round two. Kossor then had a close spirited fight Eli Hrbek which he in until the 1 minute mark when Hrbek scored waza-ari with a pick up move. 16 year old, Rubin also went 1-2, but at 66kg and his losses were to #1, Alex Ottiano and Jason Morris Judo Club teammate, Nate Torra.