Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Tony Sangimino (17) of the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Center (JMJC) posted a 5-0 record on the day to claim gold in the 17-19yrs. 81kg division at the Jr. US Open this weekend. This result catapulted Sangimino to the #1 ranking on the Jr. roster with only one event left before the Jr. World trials which will be held in Spokane, WA, August 30, 2009. The Jr. Worlds will be held in Bangkok, Thailand October 15-18, 2009. The Junior Olympics next weekend in Orlando, FL is last Jr. event that athletes can earn ranking points to improve their seeding at the trials.

Helen Delpopolo (15) captured a silver medal in the 17-19yrs. 70kg division to hold onto her #1 seed at the jr. trials. Schalmont High Junior, Ronni Aragona (17) won a bronze in the 17-19yrs. 63kg division and moved to the the #2 slot in the Jr. rankings. This result puts Aragona in the Jr. World trials currently at the #2 seed. Burnt Hills Junior, Angela Creutzberger (17) solidified her #1 spot on the jr. roster at 48kg by taking a bronze in the 17-19yrs. weight class.

Sangimino hopes to hold on to his #1 seed for the trials to join Helen Delpopolo, Creutzberger, Jeremy Liggett (66kg), Nick Delpopolo (73kg) and Kyle Vashkulat (100kg) as #1 seeds for the trials. Delpopolo (19), Liggett (19) and Vashkulat (100kg) did not compete this weekend as they have the #1 seed for the jr. trials locked up. The jr. trials invite the top four athletes on the roster in every weight class. If the #1 seed wins the trials then he/she makes the team. If the #1 seed losses any time during the trials they would have a one match fight off with the winner of the trials.