Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 3, 1995 TAG: 9505030023
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
All 15 came home with good showings in the April 23 meet at the Ashburn Sports Pavilion.
The team had 11 firsts, three seconds and seven third-place finishes.
Team members competed in up to three events. The two main events were kata and kumite. Each had 14 participants from Genesis.
Kata is an exhibition of the martial arts forms. Participants are judged on their technique, poise, personal focus - and the effectiveness of their moves in combat.
Kumite involves a two-minute sparing match where blows are pulled. Two competitors battle one another until one of them has earned three points. Full points are earned from moves that are technically perfect and would incapacitate a foe in battle. Half-points are earned for blows that glance off or would not be as damaging in battle.
Also, three members of the team participated in weapons. The event is similar to kata except the forms are executed while holding a weapon such as a wooden sword or a staff.
Two competitors took first place in their division in both kata and kumite. JONATHAN ANDERSON swept both in beginners (less than one year of experience) boys 11-12 while JANNA REEVES turned the trick in novice (more than one but less than two years experience) girls 11-12.
Others winning a title in at least one event included: ERIN RAINEY won kumite and was second in kata in novice girls 13-14. JENNIFER MCCAIN won kata in novice girls 9-10. NATHANAEL DALE won kumite, was third in kata and seventh in weapons in novice boys 13-14. ELISABETH DALE won kata and was second in kumite in novice girls 13-14. JARED REEVES won kata, was fifth in kumite and sixth in weapons in novice boys 11-12. RYAN REEVES won kata, was third in kumite and fourth in weapons in novice boys 13-14. And ANNE QUINION won kumite and was second in kata in beginners girls 13-14.
Also placing for the team were HEATHER TEASLEY, LEAH TEASLEY, KATHY MCCAIN, GARRETT EDWARDS, JASON LESKO and JUSTIN VEST.
Heather Teasley was fourth in kata and fifth in kumite in beginners girls 9-10. Leah Teasley was third in kumite in beginners girls 7-8. McCain was third in both events in novice girls 13-14. Edwards was fourth in kata and sixth in kumite in beginners boys 7-8. Lesko was third in both events in beginners boys 7-8. And Vest of Floyd was third in kata and second in kumite in intermediate (more than two but less than three years experience) boys 11-12.
All 15 also qualified for the national AAU tournament in June in Greenville, S.C.
" I think the reason we're successful here is not only because we practice hard - and we work physically hard each class - but it is because of the time we spend on the mental aspects [of karate]," said JAMES HOUSTON, the head instructor at the Genesis Martial Arts Studio. "We get them ready so they are know what they have to do in tournaments - or when situations arise with the class bully or with siblings. That makes a big difference. A lot of times, kids loose their focus at tournaments."
SWIMMING ALONG: The Southwest Aquatic Team sent 11 swimmers to the YMCA nationals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in April. Four had performances that put them in the top 16 in the nation.
MARK STONE placed 12th in the 200-yard freestyle, qualifying him for the U.S. Swimming Junior Nationals in August in Orlando, Fla. GRAHAM GRAVLEY was 16th in the 1650 freestyle. The boys' 800 freestyle relay team of Stone, Gravley, WHIT HUGHSTON and AARON WORKMAN came in 12th.
ROUNDBALL ROUNDUP: The Lakers and the Thunder won titles in the Pulaski Boys Basketball Leagues.
The Lakers downed the Hornets 62-55 to win the Senior Boys League title. RONALD BRANCH drilled in 28 points for the winners.
Branch, DERRICK HUNTER of the Suns and ROBBIE CHINUALT of the Bullets shared the league MPV honors.
Meanwhile, the Thunder rallied from a three-point halftime deficit and edged the Lightning 57-53 in the Boys Junior (15-and-under) League championship game.
RYAN NUNLEY keyed the comeback with four baskets after intermission. Nunley (14) and CHRIS WRIGHT (15) combined for 29 points for the champs.
Nunley, the Razorbacks' DORIAN HENDRICKS, the Gophers' ROBERT ROGERS and the Cavaliers' BRAD DUNCAN shared the league MVP honors.
The co-MVPs for the Pulaski Girls Senior League were KRISTEN ADKINS and ROCHELLE QUESENBERRY.
LEARN GOLF OR TENNIS OR BOTH: Montgomery County is taking registrations through May 19 for the next set of golf and tennis lessons which begin as early as May 20.
For the first time, the county is offering Saturday classes. These sessions will begin May 20 and last six straight Saturdays. Youth classes will be 11 a.m.-noon with adult classes noon-1 p.m.
The county also still will have its standard Monday-Wednesday and Tuesday-Thursday classes. Those classes begin on May 22 and 23 respectively with the last classes June 12 and 13. Also, there will be no classes the Monday or Tuesday of Memorial Day week (May 29 and 30). Youth lessons will be 6-7 p.m. Adult lessons will be 7-8 p.m.
The tennis lessons are being offered at each of the county's four high schools: Auburn in Riner, Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Shawsville. Participants should bring a racket and a can of balls to each class.
The golf lessons will be offered at Cox's Driving Range in Blacksburg and Bobby's Golf Center in Christiansburg. Participants should bring their own clubs and will purchase range balls at a discount for use in class.
The cost is $15 for youth courses and $20 for adult courses.
For information, call TIM COONEY at the recreation department at 382-6978.
SCHOLASTIC SPORTS NRV: Blacksburg Middle School won both the boys and girls portions of a three-way track meet at Radford last week.
Winners for the boys included JORDAN HEAD in the high jump, long jump and 300-meter hurdles, NATHAN HANNAH in the 800 and 1600, PATRICK TURNER in the 200 and the 400 and 1600 relay teams.
Winners for the girls included SOLMAAZ SARRADHFEZ in the long jump, JESSICA BOARDMAN in the shot put and the 1600 meter relay team.
by CNB