PRESS RELEASE

Silver Lining for Chandler & Liggett
/ Montreal, QC /- Members from the Glenville, NY based *Jason Morris Judo Club (JMJC)* won four total medals at the Rendez Vous Canada International tournament Oct. 18-19, 2003 and for the second straight week came second in total medals for US teams finishing only one behind the Olympic Training Center (OTC). *Carrie Chandler (22) *led the way
going 4-1 in 57kg to capture a Silver medal. Chandler started her day with two dominant wins over Joliane Melancon (CAN) and Jessica Noji (CAN) to set up a quarterfinal match with US #1, Ellen Wilson. Chandler won a thriller in overtime when she scored waza-ari (half point) 1 minute into the extra period. This was Carrie's first victory over Wilson in five tries. Chandler then defeated Francoise Nguelle (CAN) who beat her two weeks ago in the semis of the Quebec Open. 2000 Olympic
bronze medalist, Maria Pekli (AUS) beat Chandler for the second time in the span of a week to claim the gold. Pekli defeated Chandler last week in the semis of the US Open in Las Vegas. This result moves the #2 ranked Chandler within 4 points of Wilson for the #1 seed at the Olympic Judo Trials in June 2004. Burnt Hills High School Freshman, *Jeremy Liggett (14)* continued to impress going 3-1 to win a silver medal at 55kg. Liggett defeated Julio Ramirez (MEX), Francois Paradis (CAN) and Julien Paradis (CAN) on his way to the final where he would face Huynh Bryant (CAN). The 18 year old, Bryant beat Liggett 2 weeks ago in the final of the Quebec Open. Liggett started strong and had an opportunity to end the match early when he almost caught the Canadian in an armlock but just couldn't finish it. Bryant then caught Liggett with a leg grab
to win the gold. This success along with last week's bronze medal in Vegas has made Liggett the youngest US player in history to be ranked #1. *Liz Burns (19)* captured her third straight Rendez Vous Canada medal picking up a bronze. Burns' only loss came at the hands of longtime North American rival, Aminata Sall (CAN). Burns lost to Sall in the first round then came back with three straight wins. Burns maintains her #2 ranking behind Charlee Minkin who also won a bronze losing to Sall in the semis. The newest member of the JMJC family is *Jen Conte (25)* who is originally from Amsterdam, but now lives in Saratoga. Conte went 3-1 in +100kg to claim a bronze medal and the #1 US ranking in +78kg. *Mike Blizinski (36)* went 2-2 to come in fifth place at +100kg. Blizinski nearly made it to the finals losing a close an exciting battle in the semis to Tony Kenis (USA). Mike then lost another tough battle for the bronze to Kirk Hoffman (USA). Blizinski climbed all the way to the #7 spot in the US rankings getting closer to that top five he would need to be to make the Olympic trials. *Brandan Greczkowski (26)* finished ninth in 60kg with a 2-2 mark. Greczkowski was fighting with a broken rib and partially separated shoulder and almost managed to medal but the injuries and time off were too much to overcome. He still pulled off a win against Canadian #1 and US Open champ, Frazer Will in the second round but then lost to Dynell Pinder. Brandan dislocated his elbow in his last fight trying to avoid a throw against Aburto Cristobal (MEX) to lengthen his stay in the M.A.S.H unit. Grezcowski is currently #6. *Nate Torra (20)* opened his run by beating Canadian #1, JF Villemure who had beaten him in their two previous meetings. Torra then lost to eventual champ, Justin Flores who also beat him in the semis of the US Open. Torra had a chance for a bronze but when he was leading a the tough Korean, Hyun Dong Hoon got pinned with 45 seconds left and was eliminated. Torra fought well considering his tough draw and is still a major factor to make the US Olympic team at 66kg. Torra holds the #3 ranking. Burnt Hills High School Senior, *Nick Kossor (17)* looked good but lost his opening 60kg bout to Aburto Cristobal (MEX). *Taylor Middendorf (22) *also lost her first match to Kat Van Boxmeer (CAN). *Gina Franzese* lost to Maria Pekli (AUS) in her first round then lost to Tess Lanzarotta (CAN) and was eliminated.