PRESS RELEASE

JMJC Win 13 Medals
Indianapolis, IN - Athletes from the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Club (JMJC) won a total of 13 medals including 7 Gold at USA Judo's Fall Classic Saturday, August 30th and the Ladder Tournament Sunday, August 31st. The JMJC was the best team overall beating out the likes of the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO and San Jose State who are the Judo powerhouses in the country. Nate Torra (20) led the way winning Gold medals at both events. Torra went 4-0 at 66kg to win the Fall Classic including 2 wins over 1996 Olympic alternate, John Matsuoka. Both of those wins were of the spectacular variety with Torra Foot sweeping Matsuoka for Ippon in both bouts. Nate also won the 73kg division the next day at the Ladder tournament going 6-1 on the day. Athletes are not allowed to compete at any weight class that they have points on the roster in so since Nate is ranked in 66kg had to move up to 73kg for the Ladder. With his Fall Classic win, Torra earned 3 points towards the Olympic trials on the national roster and moved into a tie with 2000 Olympian, Alex Ottiano for the #1 spot. Carrie Chandler (22) breezed to a 4-0 record at 57kg and won a Gold at the Fall Classic including ippon victories over #4 Katherine Ensler and #5 Christal Ransom. Chandler now trails reigning #1, Ellen Wilson only by 4 points for the Olympic trials. Wilson did not compete here as she prepares for the Worlds in Osaka, Japan Sept. 11-14. Carrie also won a Silver medal at 63kg in the Ladder tournament with a 3-2 record. Technically her losses were to teammate, Taylor Middendorf but they did not fight because it was more important for Middendorf to get rated at 63kg. Jeremy Liggett who needed a special waiver to compete because he is only 14 and the minimum age for this event was 15 proved he belonged winning a Gold at 55kg at the Fall Classic. Liggett put on a show and was considered "appointment TV" by many of the other players. Liggett went 4-0 winning all his matches by ippon in spectacular fashion with a variety of techniques. Liggett is now on the Sr. national roster slipping into the #7 slot. Since placing in the Fall Classic, Liggett had to move up to 60kg for the Ladder tournament and won a bronze going 4-2. Both his losses were to Rhan Dillard (28). Nick Kossor (17) had a fantastic weekend claiming a bronze at the Fall Classic at 60kg with a 3-2 record then won the 66kg Gold going 5-0. Kossor earned 1 point to move him into the #8 spot at 60kg which ties him with teammate and 2000 Olympian, Brandan Greczkowski (26). Greczkowski took a Silver with a 6-2 mark losing twice to Kenny Hashimoto. This is a great start for Greczkowski who hopes to return to Olympic form after a long layoff. Brandan palced seventh at the Sydney Olympcis. Liz Burns (18) was in cruise control until she was upset by #3 Leilani Akiyama in final and had to settle for a Silver in 52kg. The #2 ranked, Burns still gained ground on #1 Charlee Minkin and now trails by 9 points towards the Olympic trials. Burns came back the next day and crushed all comers by ippon going 4-0 for the Ladder title at 57kg. Taylor Middendorf (22) went 1-2 at the Fall Classic in 63kg and her win was against #6 Valerie Greenslade by ippon that drew a huge cheer from the crowd. Middendorf didn't make it on the roster so was able to fight 63kg at the Ladder where she went 4-0 including a big ippon win over Marija Djokic. Taylor has improved tremendously over the past couple of months. Jeff Albino (21) closed out the medal count winning a silver medal with a 2-1 record in +100kg at the Ladder. Albino was 0-2 in a deep field in 100kg at the Fall Classic. Youngster, AJ Silverman (15) got a good taste of elite Judo and performed extremely well. Silverman went 0-2 at 60kg at the Fall Classic and one one those losses was to teammate, Brandan Grezckowski. Silverman went 2-2 at the Ladder at 60kg with one these loses also to a teammate, Jeremy Liggett in a tight match. Mike Blizinski (36) was 2-2 at +100kg in the Fall Classic losing to #4 Tony Turner and #5 John Leonhardt. Matt Siciliano (21) went 1-4 for at 73kg both days but got one of the loudest cheers when he smashed Joe Howard for ippon. Siciliano has only been in Judo 7 months. Gregg Rubin (17) went 1-4 in 66kg over the weekend in his first event back in 8 months after a neck injury. Rubin performed well considering his lack of mat time. Gina Franzese (22) was 0-2 at 57kg and she too has been hampered as of late by an injury. Gina has been struggle with an ankle injury for about 2 months and was not in top form. Next up for the club is the East Coast Championships in Newark, NJ Sept. 20-21.