Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"May 10, 2002
Return
to the "POINTER VIEW"
May
10, 2002
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| Freshman Megan Pittenger breaks a board with a flying kick during Saturday’s tournament at Christl Arena. |
Martial artists from Saratoga to Ronkonkoma, N.Y. came to compete Saturday in the "Battle at the Point," the American Tae kwon do Association’s annual state tournament held at Holleder Center.
The Army Martial Arts Team, along with Robinson’s Tae kwon do of Fishkill, N.Y., hosted the annual event.
Martial Artists from age 4 to adults in their 60s competed in diverse categories such as forms and weapons.
The event, though smaller than last year’s regional event, is the club’s major fundraiser, according to cadet-in-charge senior Jackie Lawson.
Students of Robinson’s Tae kwon do and cadets displayed their talent and skill during the opening ceremonies with demonstrations of varied forms and techniques and, of course, the power and grace of board breaking.
"This is our closing event of the season," Lawson said, as she watched some of the younger competitors in action. "Next year we hope to host two tournaments, one each semester."
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| Freshman Jon McCary jumps over sophomore Rob Crapanzano during a weapons demonstration. |
Army hopes to add a collegiate competition as one of the events and also has plans to help the fledgling Naval Academy team by training with them.
"They don’t compete collegiately," Lawson said. "They want to come up at some point next year to see how we do things."
Army recently did very well at state competitions and will send five members to Nationals in Detroit, Mich. May 22-24.
Twelve Army Martial Artists qualified for Nationals, but the tournament conflicts with final exams, according to team officer-in-charge Sgt. 1st Class James Ruesch."It was their choice. If they could afford to go, they are. They all made the right choice," he explained.
