Chandler, Mocco & Rousey win National Titles 

Virginia Beach, VA - Members of the Glenville, NY based Jason Morris Judo Club (JMJC) won 6 total medals over the weekend at the US Sr. Judo Nationals including 3 gold which also earned the JMJC the team title. Carrie Chandler (23), Katie Mocco (21), and Ronda Rousey (18) all won their respective divisions and earned a spot on the US World Championship team that will compete in Cairo, Egypt from September 8-11, 2005. Chandler went 3-0 on the day in 52kg to uphold her #1 seed and capture her third National title and first World team berth. Chandler also won titles in 2001 & 2004. Mocco also went 3-0 winning the 70kg division to claim her first National crown along with earning her first trip to to the Worlds. Mocco took a bronze at last years Nationals. Rousey won her second straight 63kg National title and will also be going to the Worlds for the first time. Rousey competed at the 2004 Olympics and finished 9th. #2 seeds, Liz Burns (20) and Nate Torra (22) fell just short of making the World team as they both went 3-1 taking silver medals. Burnt Hills High School Graduate, Burns lost a tough 57kg battle to Valerie Gotay (30) in the final. Burns has only been at 57kg for a year since moving up from 52kg after the 2004 Olympic trials and should continue to improve looking forward to Beijing in 2008. Torra lost a controversial final to former JMJC teammate and #1 seed, Justin Flores. Torra dominated the bout but was given a questionable shido (stalling penalty) and wasn't awarded an apparent score. This was the second year in a row Torra lost a close battle in the final losing in overtime to Taylor Takata in 2004. Margaret Drake (20) closed out the JMJC medal count taking a bronze at 44kg. 

2x Olympian, Rene Capo (43) came out of retirement and made a good run going 3-2 taking fifth place in +100kg. Capo lost a close bout to #1 seed, Kirk Hoffmann (22) in the quarterfinals which took Rene out of contention for a world team berth. Burnt Hills High Graduate, Dave Chapman (18) had a superb day posting a 4-2 record at 90kg to finish fifth. Among Chapman's wins was a victory over #1 seed Shintaro Higashi (22). Burnt Hills High Senior, Yuko Sin (17) made it all the way to the semis of 81kg in his National debut where he lost a tough battle to 2004 Olympian, Rick Hawn (28). Sin finished in fifth place. Burnt Hills High Graduate, Nick Kossor (19) also finished in fifth place going 3-2 on the day at 60kg. Kossor's result is even more amazing than it appears as he fought through a partially torn ACL and MCL in his knee that he injured a month ago in training. Kossor was 40 seconds from making the finals when he made a crucial mistake against Gerard Cadet (25) in their semifinal match getting scored on right near the edge. Burnt Hills High Sophmore, Jeremy Liggett (16) just missed out on having to fight teammate, Kossor for third in 60kg when he lost his last bout to finish in 7th place. Liggett went an impressive 3-2 on the day including giving the #1 seed and 2004 Olympian, Taraje Williams-Murray (21) his toughest match in the quarterfinals. Paul Borodin (24) went 2-2 for the day and finished 9th at 66kg and showed much improvement in his national debut.

Burnt Hills High Sophmore, Dave Carelli (17) went 1-2 at 55kg to finish in 9th place in his first National event. Burnt Hills High Junior, AJ Silverman (17) easliy won his first match then lost to #4 seed, Josh O'Neil (20) and was eliminated in his first Nationals at 66kg. Silverman took fifth place at last years Nationals in 60kg. JMJC Coach, 4x Olympian, Jason Morris was very pleased with his team's performance. "The kids all trained hard and fought hard" Morris said. "They are reaping the benefit's of all their hard work, dedication and commitment." Morris continued. The JMJC has now firmly esatblished itself as the premire Judo training center in the US. 

Jason Morris Judo Club 

575 Swaggetown Rd. Glenville, NY 12302 

(518)399-3936 www.realjudo.net

 Attached Photos: Nate Torra (White) Nick Kossor (Blue) Carrie Chandler (White) Credit: Lou DiGesare/Real Judo Magazine