PRESS RELEASE

Greczkowski Wins Gold
Montreal, QC - The Glenville based Jason Morris Judo Club (JMJC) enjoyed another stellar weekend winning 8 total medals at the Quebec Open October 4-5, 2003. 2000 Olympian, Brandan Greczkowski (26) of Saratoga led the way capturing his first Quebec Open title. Greczkowski went 4-0 on the day winning all his 60kg matches by ippon which included some moves he has added since joining the JMJC. Among his wins was a crushing victory over Canadian #2, Fazer Will. Brandan has run his record to 14-2 since coming back to the area to rejuvenate his career and will be seeded #8 and possibly as high as #6 this Sunday at the US Open in Las Vegas, NV. The Americans get seeded at the US Open according to the USA Judo point roster but the international players are not seeded which makes the it a blind draw for the foreign players. Jeremy Liggett (14) won a Silver medal in the youth (15-19) 55kg division with a 3-1 record. Liggett then added a Silver the next day in the men's 55kg also with a 3-1 mark. Liggett, who needed a special age waiver to even get in the the event since his was too young has continued to impress. Jeremy, a Burnt Hills High School Freshman, also was given a waiver to compete in the US Open and will be seeded #6 at 55kg. Liz Burns (19) went 3-1 to win a Silver at 52kg. Burns was dominant until the final when she lost to rival, Canadian #1, Aminata Sall. Burns who just celebrated her birthday on October 3, is now 1-4 against Sall (24). Burns goes into the US Open seeded #2 and hopes to improve on her ninth place finish last year. Nate Torra (20) went 4-1 at 66kg to win a Silver which is the first time he has reached the Quebec Open podium. Torra lost the final on a terrible call to Canadian #1, JF Villemure. The Canadian attack Torra with a leg grab and scored a clear yuko, but the ref called ippon. After a refs meeting, the call stood and Torra's day ended with in disappointment although he was superb in his previous bouts. Torra will go into the US Open in the #3 slot. Carrie Chandler (22) won a Bronze medal at 57kg for the third year in a row. Chandler went 3-1 including her first win over Marsye Guilbault (CAN) in four tries. Chandler will be the #3 seeded American at the US Open. Burnt Hills High School Senior, Nick Kossor (17) went 4-1 at 60kg to win a Bronze and joined his teammate, Greczkowski on the podium. Kossor fought extremely well and his only loss was to Greczkowski in the semis. Kossor is ranked #9 in the US at 60kg and could slip into a top 8 seed at the US Open if a higher seed does not compete. Newcomer, Dave Chapman (17) closed out the medal count for the JMJC winning a Bronze medal in the 15-19yrs. 90kg division. Chapman is a Burnt Hills High School Senior. Burnt Hills Sophomore, AJ Silverman (15) did not place either day but fought very well going 3-2 in the 60kg youth and 2-2 in the 60kg men's division. Silverman continues to improve and looks to be a major factor in the future. Gregg Rubin (17) also had a good tournament going 2-2 in the youth 73kg and 3-2 in the 73kg men's weight class. Yuko Sin (16) was 2-2 on both days in 73kg. Jeff Albino (21) had a decent day at 100kg going 2-2 and Gina Franzese (23) was 1-2 at 57kg.

Burns, Chandler, Franzese, Greczkowski, Kossor, Liggett and Torra leave on Thursday for the US Open where they can earn valuable points for the Olympic trials.