PRESS RELEASE

JMJC Strike Bronze in Vegas
Las Vegas, NV - Four athletes from the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Club (JMJC) won Bronze medals in the US Open at the Riviera Hotel & Casino Convention Center October 12-13, 2003. Jeremy Liggett (14) went 3-1 to win a Bronze at 55kg. The Burnt Hills High School Freshman beat Aaron Kunihiro (USA), Cid Gumban (USA) and Dave Kaufman (USA) in the Bronze medal match. Liggett's only loss came in the semis against eventual champ, Dan Martinez (VEN). This victory catapults Liggett to the #1 spot in the country in 55kg. Although 55kg is not in the Olympics, it is in the Pan Am Championships which will be in April, 2004 in Venezuela. Liggett is the second JMJC member ever to reach the #1 ranking. Nate Torra was ranked #1 at 60kg for 1 month in November of 2001. Torra (20) went 4-1 at 66kg to claim his first medal at the US Open in five tries. Torra defeated Heath Young (AUS), John Goncalves (CAN) then won a thrilling overtime match against Sasha Mehmedovic (CAN) to set up a semifinal bout with former JMJC teammate, Justin Flores (USA). Torra started fast taking the early lead, but then got caught with uchimata for ippon. Torra then smashed Peirre Laforest (CAN) for ippon in the Bronze medal fight. Torra moves into the #2 spot for the Olympic trials at 66kg, only 2 points behind, Alex Ottiano and 3 points ahead of Justin Flores. SCCC Freshman, Liz Burns (19) went 4-1 at 52kg for her Bronze. She easily beat Kelly Fong (USA), Emily Bensted (AUS) and Stephanie Duvall (CAN) to set up a semifinal matchup with Leilani Akiyama (USA). Akiyama took advantage a during a flurry and threw Burns for ippon. Liz then easily dispatched Cynthia Charland (CAN) with sankaku for ippon to claim her first ever medal at the US Open. Burns trails #1, Charlee Minkin by 16 points for the Olympic trials. Carrie Chandler (22) also claimed her first US Open medal, winning Bronze at 57kg. Chandler went 4-1 and cruised to the semis where she met up with 2000 Olympic Bronze medalist, Maria Pekli (AUS). Pekli threw Chandler for ippon about 1 minute into the bout. Chandler then won a dramatic overtime match with Maryse Guibault (CAN). Chandler also beat Guibault in overtime last weekend at the Quebec Open. Carrie moved into the #2 slot only 6 points behind 2000 Olympian, Ellen Wilson. Brandan Greczkowski (26) took fifth place at 60kg with a 3-2 mark. Greczkowski easily beat Jehoon Lee (KOR), Scott Fernandez (AUS) and Dan Simard (CAN) to move into a semifinal matchup with Dynell Pinder (USA). Pinder scored first then as Brandan was coming on and Pinder was fading, Pinder caught Greczkowsi for yuko right on the edge of the mat which was incorrectly called ippon. After a protest from his coach, Jason Morris the horrible call stood and Brandan was sent to the Bronze medal bout to face his former OTC teammate and #1 seed, Taylor Takata (USA). Greczkowski took control from the onset and scored an early yuko, but Brandan was the recipient of yet another awful call when Takata knocked him down to his face but was called a yuko. The match went to overtime where Takata should have received a false attack penalty which would have given Brandan the win, but the call never came and Takat scored a doubleg takedown for a koka and the victory. Greczkowski moved up to the #3 spot behind Takata and Pinder for the Olympic trials. Burnt Hills Senior, Nick Kossor (17) took Ninth place with a 2-2 record at 60kg in his US Open debut and just missed a semifinal matchup with teammate Greczkowski when he lost to Pinder in the Quarterfinals. Kossor also had a dramatic win over former #2 at 66kg, Ricky Brown (USA). Gina Franzese (23) lost her opening bout at 57kg to Sharon Taylor (AUS) and was eliminated. Taylor Middendorf (22) lost her first round match to Jen Davis (GBR) to close out the JMJC participants at this year's US Open. JMJC members, Jeff Albino (100kg) and Mike Blizinski (+100kg) will join the players that fought in the US Open in competeing this weekend October 18-19 in the Canadian Open which is the same level as the US Open. The athletes can earn 10 points for a Gold, 6 for Silver, 4 for Bronze and 2 for Fifth.