Braunschweig, Germany - Jason Morris Judo Center's Travis Stevens took ninth place at the German Open in preperation for the Olympics. Stevens posted a 3-2 record recording wins over Andrej Umanski (POL), Marc Natho (GER) and Mark Brewer. Stevens lost to eventual champ Sven Maresch (GER) in an overtime thriller and also lost to Youssef Badra (TUN). Stevens was leading Badra by yuko but with time expiring couldn't hold off an attack by the Tunisian and was thrown for ippon. Stevens will remain in Germany for 1 more week with Olympic Head Coach, Jason Morris for a training camp before returning to the states.

While Stevens and Morris were in Germany, JMJC's Brad Bolen took a Gold at the USJF Jr. Nationals in Chicago, IL in 17-19yrs. 66kg division. A week earlier Bolen took a Gold in the same division at the USJA Jr. Nationals in Boston, MA. Bolen's teammates Tony Sangimino (17-19yrs. 81kg), Kyle Vashkulat (17-19yrs. 100kg) and Jeremy Galib (15-16yrs. 81kg) also won Gold's in Boston. Ronni Aragona closed out the JMJC medal count in Boston taking a silver in the 17-19yrs. 78kg weight class. Aragona moved up two division from her normal 63kg to get more competition.