Axsom's Army Antagonizes AAU Field with #1 ranking and Top-20 AAU Recognition

In its most recent event, the old and new fighters of Axsom dojo of Newport News competed in the 2021 AAU Karate National Championships, which were at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC. 

This year's competition was the first major comeback event since the COVID outbreak, which pushed last December's Nationals to an online format. 

Yet, the break away from live mat competition didn't leave Axsom's martial artists worse for wear. In fact, a whole new group of 15 beginners competed in Short and Long Kobudo (weapons forms), Kata (empty hand forms), and Kumite (sparring), and the advanced division had opportunities at different styles of kumite as well.

Axsom's dojo had 32 athletes participate this year, and six coaches, who brought home a total of 81 Medals, 37 were GOLD, and 40 of the team's medals were in the kumite division! 

Likewise, three of the athletes made the AAU National Team Pool for international travel and competition. 

An added bonus this year was that the Bull-Moose Dojo was named the #1 Participating Dojo at the National Championships and a "Top 20 AAU Club" in the country. 

Advanced Division (Black Belts):

Austin Galeski (18-34 Male): Silver Short Weapons (Tonfa); Silver Open Weight Kumite; GOLD, National Champion, Ippon Kumite; Selected for the AAU 2021-2022 National Team Pool traveling to Romania for the WUKF World Championships.

Jessica Sigsbee (18-34 Female) did not place in her events, but did win a $1,000 AAU Scholarship to William and Mary.

Ryan Sigsbee (16 Male): Bronze Ippon Kumite; Silver in ISF Olympic Rules Kumite; Silver in Team Rotational Kumite; GOLD in Sanbon Weight Class Kumite; 

Selected for the AAU 2021-2022 National Team Pool traveling to Romania for the WUKF World Championships.

Jaylen Nicholson (14 Male) 

Amiyr Gordon (12 Male) Silver in Kata; Silver in Long Kobudo (B0); Bronze in Kumite; Selected for the AAU 2021-2022 National Team Pool.

Intermediate Division (Brown Belts):

Brett Fallen (16 Male) GOLD in all 3 Divisions -- Kobudo, Kata, and Kumite! Silver in Team Rotational Kumite.

Alex Tomaino (16 Male) Silver in Kobudo and Kata; Bronze in Kumite; Silver in Team Rotational Kumite.

Joe Fuscia (13 Male) Bronze in Kumite.

Chris Gordon (7 Male) Silver in Kobudo; GOLDS in Kata and Kumite!

Novice Division (Green Belts);

Miranda Martinez-Chellis (15 Female) GOLDs in all three events--Kobudo, Kata, and Kumite, GOLD in Team Rotational Kumite

Daniella Martinez-Chellis (14 Female) Silvers in Kobudo and Kata; GOLD in Kumite!

Dakota Parnell (13 Male) GOLD in Kumite!

Ryan Wartell (12 Male) Bronze in Kumite.

Conner Strickland (11 Male) Silver in Kobudo and Kata; Bronze in Kumite.

Lucas Gardner (8 Male) Bronze in Kumite.

Shianne Medlin (8 Female) GOLDs in Kata and Kumite!

Isaiah McClain (8 Male) GOLD in Kumite!

Beginner Division (White Belts):

Hudson Burns (18-34 Male) Bronze in Kata and Kumite; GOLD in Kobudo!

Emily Galindo (15 Female) Silver in Kobudo; GOLD in Kata and Kumite!

Jasmine Elsayyad (14 Female) Silver in Kobudo; GOLD in Kumite!

Brodee Blackwell (12 Male) Silver in Kata; Bronze in Kumite; GOLD in Kobudo!

Nate Carney (12 Male) GOLDs in Kata and Kumite, Silver in Team Family Kobudo.

Coley Carney (10 Female) Silver in Kobudo; GOLDs in Kata and Kumite, Silver in Team Family Kobudo.

Robert Gibson (9 Male) Bronze in Kumite!

Cristiano Perez (8 Male) Bronze in Kata; Silver in Kumite.

Reagan Strickland (7 Female) Silver in Kumite; GOLDs in Kobudo and Kata!

Billy Lamping (7 Male) Bronze in Kumite.

Kylah Johnson (6 Female) Silver in Kumite; GOLDs in Kata and Kobudo!

Xavier Johnson (6 Male) Bronze in Kobudo and Kumite; Silver in Kata.

Daniel Carney (6 Male) Silver in Kobudo; GOLDs in Kata and Kumite! + Team family Kobudo.

Mia Blackwell (5 Female) GOLDs in all 3 divisions- Kobudo, Kata, and Kumite

Alana Humber (5 Female) Silvers in all 3 divisions-Kobudo, kata, and Kumite.

Axsom's Army Finishes Out 2020 Virtually

We have fallen woefully behind on updates from the Axsom dojo. In fact, Sensei "Moose," as he is affectionately called, just sent a fourth one today. So, we're going to dedicate the month of July as Martial Arts Month here at VPS. It will be a good month to promote the dojo as McGrath Educational will be posting a big announcement on July 15, and hopefully steering extra traffic to Virginia Peninsula Sports.

Here's how Axsom's Army ended the 2020 campaign, as reported by the good Sensei himself.

As a result of Covid19, the 2020 AAU National Championships and Team Trials were cancelled. They were supposed to take place in July and then in October of 2020 at the ESPN Wild World of Sports in Orlando, FL. Despite the cancellation, the AAU organized a Virtual Online National Championships where competitors and coaches could video submit entries for the following categories: Kata (Empty Hand Forms), Kobudo (Weapons Forms), Team Kata, Family Kata, and Team Kobudo. Our dojo competed in this first ever virtual national championships, and below are the results of our competitors hardwork and determination. Our dojo fielded four Teams for Team Kata.

TEAM Kata:

18-34 year olds Will Whitaker, Austin Galeski, and Shaun Coles (SILVER Medal/Cup); Ryan Sigsbee, Anna Deller, and Jabari Smith (GOLD Medal/Cup); 15-16 year olds Brett Fallen, Alex Tomaino, and Braeden Monroe; Miranda ChellisMartinez, Daniela Chellis Martinez, and Maimouna Ouattara; 13-14 year olds Hunter Feicht, Matthew Thomas, and Joe Fuscia (GOLD Medal/Cup); 9-10 year olds Conner Strickland, Amari Mathews, and Jalyn Wilks (Bronze Medal/Cup).

Kata Results:

18-34 year old Male - Austin Galeski (Bronze Medal)

15-16 year old Male - Alex Tomaino (Silver Medal); Brett Fallen (Bronze Medal)

5-6 year old Male - Daniel Carney (Bronze Medal)

Kobudo Results:

18-34 year old Male LONG Kobudo Advance (Bo and Eaku) - Austin Galeski (Silver Medal); Will Whitaker (Bronze Medal)

18-34 year old Male SHORT Kobudo Advance (Sai, Tonfa, Kama, Nunchaku) - Austin Galeski (Bronze Medal)

18-34 year old Female LONG Kobudo Advance - Jessica Sigsbee (Bronze Medal)

18-34 year old Female SHORT Kobudo Advance - Jessica Sigsbee (Silver Medal)

15-16 year old Male Novice - Brett Fallen (Silver Medal); Alex Tomaino (Bronze Medal)

13-14 year old Male Intermediate - Joe Fuscia (Bronze Medal)

11-12 year old Male Beginner - Ryan Wartell (GOLD Medal)

9-10 year old Male Beginner - Moustapha Ouattara (Bronze Medal)

9-10 year old Female Beginner - Coley Carney (Bronze Medal) 

7-8 year Female old Beginner - Shianne Medlin (GOLD Medal)

5-6 year old Male Beginner - Daniel Carney (GOLD Medal)

In total, our dojo had 23 total competitors compete. Not everyone medaled. The dojo brought home a total of 30 Medals for team and individual events.

Osborne, Spector Win Joe-Zilla 5 Miler

                                                                        2021 Joe-Zilla 5 Miler

              Final event of the Trailzilla Trail Run Series

                   Sandy Bottom Nature Park, Hampton, VA

                      Saturday, July 10, 2021 9:00 AM

                  Benefitting the Friends of Sandy Bottom

     A PENINSULA TRACK CLUB GRAND PRIX EVENT

Place O'All Name                       Age City State           Time   Pace

===== ===== ========================   === ===================  

TOP OVERALL MEN

    1     1 ANDREW OSBORNE              27 YORKTOWN VA          28:09  5:40     

    2     3 CHRIS LAWS                  45 NEWPORT NEWS VA      31:44  6:24 *   

    3     4 JOHN PIGGOTT                56 WILLIAMSBURG VA      33:07  6:40     

TOP OVERALL WOMEN

    1     2 BETHANY SPECTOR             32 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    31:11  6:17     

    2     9 MEGAN SCHULZE               38 GLEN ALLEN VA        35:48  7:13 *   

    3    11 SVETLANA GONCHAROVA         23 WILLIAMSBURG VA      36:18  7:19     

MASTERS MEN

    1     8 JUAN CORTES                 45 ELIZABETH CITY NC    34:55  7:02     

    2    10 JASON GLENN                 44 WILLIAMSBURG VA      36:02  7:15     

    3    13 JIM DUFFY                   69 POQUOSON VA          37:43  7:36 *   

MASTERS WOMEN

    1    15 MAY CARLSON                 45 HAMPTON VA           38:21  7:43     

    2    26 SUSAN HAGEL                 48 NORFOLK VA           42:20  8:31 *   

    3    30 JENNIFER CORNETTE           50 NORFOLK VA           43:41  8:48 *   

MEN:  14 AND UNDER

    1    37 BRAXTON LEE                 11 QUINTON VA           45:08  9:05 *   

MEN:  25 - 29

    1    12 ADAM DEMHARTER              25 WILLIAMSBURG VA      36:44  7:24     

    2    16 TREVOR UHL                  26 NORFOLK VA           38:32  7:46     

MEN:  30 - 34

    1     5 JORDAN SPECTOR              34 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    33:38  6:46     

    2     6 DEXTER MOORE                34 HAMPTON VA           34:13  6:53 *   

    3     7 DAVID HARTMANN              33 NORFOLK VA           34:15  6:54     

MEN:  35 - 39

    1    22 AYAZ SAHIBZADA              39 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    40:36  8:11     

    2    57 BEN MACKIN                  35 WILLIAMSBURG VA      51:21 10:20     

MEN:  50 - 54

    1    25 JOSE TORRES                 52 SUFFOLK VA           42:00  8:27     

    2    52 MARK KONST                  52 NEWPORT NEWS VA      50:42 10:12 *   

    3    55 PAUL CLARK                  52 HAMPTON VA           50:54 10:15     

MEN:  55 - 59

    1    18 WALT BRUCE                  59 YORKTOWN VA          38:53  7:50 *   

    2    23 KEVIN GRIERSON              55 WILLIAMSBURG VA      40:49  8:13 *   

    3    24 MARK YATES                  56 SUFFOLK VA           41:06  8:17     

MEN:  60 - 64

    1    17 TIMOTHY WESTFALL            63 NORFOLK VA           38:34  7:46 *   

    2    28 BILL PRICE                  61 CHESAPEAKE VA        42:47  8:37     

    3    39 DWIGHT STARKS               60 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    45:29  9:09     

MEN:  65 - 69

    1    19 ED ELMORE                   69 GLOUCESTER VA        39:29  7:57 *   

    2    27 RICK HARTUNG                67 HAMPTON VA           42:25  8:32 *   

    3    29 FRANK SCARINGELLO           67 NORFOLK VA           43:00  8:40     

MEN:  70 - 74

    1    34 JOSEPH VERDIRAME            71 SUFFOLK VA           44:07  8:53 *   

    2    38 JIMMY C BLOUNT              70 WILLIAMSBURG VA      45:11  9:06 *   

    3    77 STEPHEN SCUDDER             72 VIRGINIA BEACH VA  1:09:08 13:55 *   

MEN:  75 AND OVER

    1    50 RONALD KELLUM               77 HAMPTON VA           49:25  9:57 *   

    2    72 JOHN MUNDAY                 81 CHESAPEAKE VA      1:04:35 13:00 *   

WOMEN:  25 - 29

    1    20 ABBY HANKINS                25 NORFOLK VA           39:29  7:57     

    2    56 CARLY BOWEN                 28 HAMPTON VA           51:18 10:20     

WOMEN:  30 - 34

    1    21 JENNIFER ZANGHI             30 WILLIAMSBURG VA      39:55  8:02     

    2    63 ASHLEY MORROW               33 SMITHFIELD VA        53:24 10:45     

WOMEN:  35 - 39

    1    14 ERIN MACHIE                 36 NEWPORT NEWS VA      38:08  7:41     

    2    31 JAIME LAWSON                39 HAMPTON VA           43:57  8:51 *   

    3    48 SARA LEONE                  36 NEWPORT NEWS VA      48:23  9:44 *   

WOMEN:  40 - 44

    1    40 SAMANTHA DEMYANYUK          44 HAMPTON VA           46:23  9:20     

    2    49 AMANDA COLLIER              41 YORKTOWN VA          48:46  9:49 *   

    3    59 JENNIFER LITTLE             41 YORKTOWN VA          52:22 10:33 *   

WOMEN:  45 - 49

    1    47 CRYSTAL DAVENPORT           46 YORKTOWN VA          47:36  9:35 *   

WOMEN:  50 - 54

    1    65 TARA DRESS                  53 YORKTOWN VA          53:58 10:52 *   

    2    68 MARIE PRICE                 53 CHESAPEAKE VA        57:54 11:39     

    3    73 TERESA MARKLEY              52 NEWPORT NEWS VA    1:05:36 13:12     

WOMEN:  55 - 59

    1    35 CHRISTINE SCHAFFNER         58 YORKTOWN VA          44:40  9:00 *   

    2    36 VALOR FOY JONES             58 NEWPORT NEWS VA      45:01  9:04 *   

WOMEN:  60 - 64

    1    33 NORMA PHILLIPS              60 WILLIAMSBURG VA      44:03  8:52 *   

    2    45 GLORIA FREEMAN              60 HAMPTON VA           47:15  9:31 *   

    3    61 MARY GIBBS                  62 POQUOSON VA          52:52 10:39 *   

WOMEN:  65 - 69

    1    46 HELEN WORTHINGTON           66 BENA VA              47:29  9:34 *   

WOMEN:  70 AND OVER

    1    66 BARBARA BIASI               73 YORKTOWN VA          54:09 10:54 *   

    2    75 MARY HARMAN                 70 NEWPORT NEWS VA    1:06:18 13:21 *  

Place O'All Name                       Age City State           Time   Pace

===== ===== ========================   === ===================  =====  ====

TOP OVERALL MEN

    1     1 ANDREW OSBORNE              27 YORKTOWN VA          28:09  5:40     

    2     3 CHRIS LAWS                  45 NEWPORT NEWS VA      31:44  6:24 *   

    3     4 JOHN PIGGOTT                56 WILLIAMSBURG VA      33:07  6:40     

TOP OVERALL WOMEN

    1     2 BETHANY SPECTOR             32 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    31:11  6:17     

    2     9 MEGAN SCHULZE               38 GLEN ALLEN VA        35:48  7:13 *   

    3    11 SVETLANA GONCHAROVA  23 WILLIAMSBURG VA      36:18  7:19     

MASTERS MEN

    1     8 JUAN CORTES                 45 ELIZABETH CITY NC    34:55  7:02     

    2    10 JASON GLENN                 44 WILLIAMSBURG VA      36:02  7:15     

    3    13 JIM DUFFY                   69 POQUOSON VA          37:43  7:36 *   

MASTERS WOMEN

    1    15 MAY CARLSON                 45 HAMPTON VA           38:21  7:43     

    2    26 SUSAN HAGEL                 48 NORFOLK VA           42:20  8:31 *   

    3    30 JENNIFER CORNETTE           50 NORFOLK VA           43:41  8:48 *   

MEN:  14 AND UNDER

    1    37 BRAXTON LEE                 11 QUINTON VA           45:08  9:05 *   

MEN:  15 - 19

    NONE

MEN:  20 - 24

    NONE

MEN:  25 - 29

    1    12 ADAM DEMHARTER              25 WILLIAMSBURG VA      36:44  7:24     

    2    16 TREVOR UHL                  26 NORFOLK VA           38:32  7:46     

MEN:  30 - 34

    1     5 JORDAN SPECTOR              34 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    33:38  6:46     

    2     6 DEXTER MOORE                34 HAMPTON VA           34:13  6:53 *   

    3     7 DAVID HARTMANN              33 NORFOLK VA           34:15  6:54     

MEN:  35 - 39

    1    22 AYAZ SAHIBZADA              39 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    40:36  8:11     

    2    57 BEN MACKIN                  35 WILLIAMSBURG VA      51:21 10:20     

MEN:  40 - 44

    NONE

MEN:  45 - 49

    NONE

MEN:  50 - 54

    1    25 JOSE TORRES                 52 SUFFOLK VA           42:00  8:27     

    2    52 MARK KONST                  52 NEWPORT NEWS VA      50:42 10:12 *   

    3    55 PAUL CLARK                  52 HAMPTON VA           50:54 10:15     

MEN:  55 - 59

    1    18 WALT BRUCE                  59 YORKTOWN VA          38:53  7:50 *   

    2    23 KEVIN GRIERSON              55 WILLIAMSBURG VA      40:49  8:13 *   

    3    24 MARK YATES                  56 SUFFOLK VA           41:06  8:17     

MEN:  60 - 64

    1    17 TIMOTHY WESTFALL            63 NORFOLK VA           38:34  7:46 *   

    2    28 BILL PRICE                  61 CHESAPEAKE VA        42:47  8:37     

    3    39 DWIGHT STARKS               60 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    45:29  9:09     

MEN:  65 - 69

    1    19 ED ELMORE                   69 GLOUCESTER VA        39:29  7:57 *   

    2    27 RICK HARTUNG                67 HAMPTON VA           42:25  8:32 *   

    3    29 FRANK SCARINGELLO           67 NORFOLK VA           43:00  8:40     

MEN:  70 - 74

    1    34 JOSEPH VERDIRAME            71 SUFFOLK VA           44:07  8:53 *   

    2    38 JIMMY C BLOUNT              70 WILLIAMSBURG VA      45:11  9:06 *   

    3    77 STEPHEN SCUDDER             72 VIRGINIA BEACH VA  1:09:08 13:55 *   

MEN:  75 AND OVER

    1    50 RONALD KELLUM               77 HAMPTON VA           49:25  9:57 *   

    2    72 JOHN MUNDAY                 81 CHESAPEAKE VA      1:04:35 13:00 *   

WOMEN:  14 AND UNDER

    NONE

WOMEN:  15 - 19

    NONE

WOMEN:  20 - 24

    NONE

WOMEN:  25 - 29

    1    20 ABBY HANKINS                25 NORFOLK VA           39:29  7:57     

    2    56 CARLY BOWEN                 28 HAMPTON VA           51:18 10:20     

WOMEN:  30 - 34

    1    21 JENNIFER ZANGHI             30 WILLIAMSBURG VA      39:55  8:02     

    2    63 ASHLEY MORROW               33 SMITHFIELD VA        53:24 10:45     

WOMEN:  35 - 39

    1    14 ERIN MACHIE                 36 NEWPORT NEWS VA      38:08  7:41     

    2    31 JAIME LAWSON                39 HAMPTON VA           43:57  8:51 *   

    3    48 SARA LEONE                  36 NEWPORT NEWS VA      48:23  9:44 *   

WOMEN:  40 - 44

    1    40 SAMANTHA DEMYANYUK          44 HAMPTON VA           46:23  9:20     

    2    49 AMANDA COLLIER              41 YORKTOWN VA          48:46  9:49 *   

    3    59 JENNIFER LITTLE             41 YORKTOWN VA          52:22 10:33 *   

WOMEN:  45 - 49

    1    47 CRYSTAL DAVENPORT           46 YORKTOWN VA          47:36  9:35 *   

WOMEN:  50 - 54

    1    65 TARA DRESS                  53 YORKTOWN VA          53:58 10:52 *   

    2    68 MARIE PRICE                 53 CHESAPEAKE VA        57:54 11:39     

    3    73 TERESA MARKLEY              52 NEWPORT NEWS VA    1:05:36 13:12     

WOMEN:  55 - 59

    1    35 CHRISTINE SCHAFFNER         58 YORKTOWN VA          44:40  9:00 *   

    2    36 VALOR FOY JONES             58 NEWPORT NEWS VA      45:01  9:04 *   

WOMEN:  60 - 64

    1    33 NORMA PHILLIPS              60 WILLIAMSBURG VA      44:03  8:52 *   

    2    45 GLORIA FREEMAN              60 HAMPTON VA           47:15  9:31 *   

    3    61 MARY GIBBS                  62 POQUOSON VA          52:52 10:39 *   

WOMEN:  65 - 69

    1    46 HELEN WORTHINGTON           66 BENA VA              47:29  9:34 *   

WOMEN:  70 AND OVER

    1    66 BARBARA BIASI               73 YORKTOWN VA          54:09 10:54 *   

    2    75 MARY HARMAN                 70 NEWPORT NEWS VA    1:06:18 13:21 *  

Lionsbridge FC News - Soccer Rules in Newport News!

FREE YOUTH SOCCER CLINIC ON JULY 3 PRESENTED BY RIVERSIDE

We are pleased to announce our next FREE community youth soccer clinic, presented by Riverside, on Saturday morning, July 3. These spots always go *extremely fast* so do register right away!

Register for the FREE Youth Soccer Clinic!

OPPORTUNITY TO CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT THIS WEEKEND

Lionsbridge hosts West Virginia (Fri) and Tri-Cities (Sun)

Last weekend, Lionsbridge FC captured the CoVa Cup for a third straight year (highlights). This weekend, could more history be in the cards?

The Bridge has a chance to capture its first USL League Two playoff berth in club history. If Lionsbridge wins both games this weekend, the club will clinch a playoff spot. Lionsbridge currently sits 5 points ahead of 4th place Tri-Cities with five games to go. The top three teams in the division will make the playoffs. However, there are many paths that lead to a playoff spot for Lionsbridge, including either two wins on the weekend or a tie Friday and win on Sunday.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE at TOWNEBANK STADIUM:

Friday, 7pm vs West Virginia United 

Sunday, 7pm vs Tri-Cities FC

Get Tickets!

CHICK-FIL-A NIGHT on SUNDAY:

One lucky fan will win FREE CHICK-FIL-A FOR A YEAR on Sunday's Chick-fil-A Night at Lionsbridge FC!

SUMMER CAMP SEASON IS HERE! 

It's not too late to sign up your youngster for Lionsbridge FC Summer Camps. The first one starts next week and they continue through July. W are offering day and night camps in Newport News, Hampton, York County, Gloucester and Suffolk. Registration is now open at LionsbridgeFC.com/camps.

Yorktown 8K Freedom Run Results - Otstot and Spector Win on Memorial Day

 http://peninsulatrackclub.com/?ical_race=yorktown-freedom-run-8k

2021 YORKTOWN FREEDOM RUN MEMORIAL DAY 8K

Held at Yorktown Battlefield, Yorktown, VA

Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, 2021 

Sponsored by the Yorktown Rotary Club

USATF CERT# VA14007RT

A PENINSULA TRACK CLUB and HAMPTON ROADS SUPER GRAND PRIX EVENT

Place O’All Name                       Age City State           Time   Pace PTC

===== ===== ========================== === =================== ====== ===== ===

TOP OVERALL MEN

1     1 ADAM OTSTOT                 39 WILLIAMSBURG VA      25:41  5:10

2     2 ROGER HOPPER                30 CHESAPEAKE VA        25:46  5:11

3     3 BARON FREEMAN               21 HAMPTON VA           26:23  5:19

TOP OVERALL WOMEN

1    12 BETHANY SPECTOR             31 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    30:57  6:14

2    18 EMILY HONEYCUTT             30 NEWPORT NEWS VA      32:11  6:29

3    20 SVETLANA GONCHAROVA         23 WILLIAMSBURG VA      33:05  6:40

TOP MASTERS MEN

1    11 TOBY WORM                   48 SMITHFIELD VA        30:37  6:10

2    13 GREG LYNN                   47 HAYES VA             31:29  6:20 *

3    16 CHRIS LAWS                  45 NEWPORT NEWS VA      32:01  6:27 *

TOP MASTERS WOMEN

1    39 KAREN SANZO                 44 HAMPTON VA           36:14  7:18 *

2    51 CONNIE GLUECK               57 WILLIAMSBURG VA      38:30  7:45 *

3    60 MAY CARLSON                 45 HAMPTON VA           40:10  8:05

MEN:  12 AND UNDER

1    37 AUGUSTUS SWANSON            12 PRINCETON IL         36:03  7:15

2    67 BRAXTON LEE                             11 QUINTON VA           40:49  8:13 *

3  156 ISAAC BECK.                                10 NEW KENT VA       55:01 11:04

MEN:  13 – 19

1     6 LUCAS SIMMONS               17 CHESAPEAKE VA        27:40  5:34

2     8 EVAN MCCUE                  16 CHESAPEAKE VA        28:45  5:47

3    10 JARRETT SINDT               19 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    30:34  6:09

MEN:  20 – 24

1    54 MATTHEW MCILROY             20 NEWPORT NEWS VA      39:12  7:53

MEN:  25 – 29

1     4 TANNER SMITH                26 NEW KENT VA          27:07  5:28

2    14 MIKE SANDY                  29 LAUREL MD            31:47  6:24

MEN:  30 – 34

1     5 BLAINE O’REILLY             32 WILLIAMSBURG VA      27:35  5:33

2    74 FRANK NIXON                 34 CHESAPEAKE VA        41:35  8:22

3   140 JARED B DETRICK             32 HAMPTON VA           51:34 10:23

MEN:  35 – 39

1     7 RYAN CARROLL                38 CHESAPEAKE VA        27:50  5:36 *

2     9 ADAM KENYON                 39 SUFFOLK VA           28:53  5:49

3    15 CHRIS NOVAKOSKI             39 CHESAPEAKE VA        31:56  6:26 *

MEN:  40 – 44

1    21 ROBERT CLAYPOOLE            44 HAMPTON VA           33:18  6:42 *

2    25 MATT KIRWAN                 41 HAYES VA             34:09  6:53

3    34 MATHEW CHERUIYOT            41 WILLIAMSBURG VA      35:20  7:07

MEN:  45 – 49

1    17 DOUGLAS MARSHALL            47 MATHEWS VA           32:08  6:28

2    27 PAUL SCRIBBINS              48 GLOUCESTER VA        34:19  6:55

3    28 TIM RYAN                    47 YORKTOWN VA          34:24  6:56

MEN:  50 – 54

1    24 RICHARD KEESEE              50 HOPKINS MI           34:07  6:52

2    58 AARON CANDELLA              52 YORKTOWN VA          39:51  8:01 *

3    61 KEVIN HUGHES                52 WILLIAMSBURG VA      40:18  8:07

MEN:  55 – 59

1    19 JOHN PIGGOTT                56 WILLIAMSBURG VA      32:38  6:34

2    22 JON LEIDING                 58 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    33:29  6:45

3    29 ORLANDO PEREZ               59 NEWPORT NEWS VA      34:33  6:57

MEN:  60 – 64

1    31 KELVIN ANDERSON             60 NEWPORT NEWS VA      34:34  6:58 *

2    49 TIMOTHY HODGE               61 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    38:26  7:44

3    55 JOHN OLSON                  61 YORKTOWN VA          39:27  7:56 *

MEN:  65 – 69

1    30 STEPHEN J CHANTRY           66 WILLIAMSBURG VA      34:33  6:57 *

2    42 JIM DUFFY                   69 POQUOSON VA          37:19  7:31 *

3    77 JAMES GULLO                 66 WILLIAMSBURG VA      41:49  8:25 *

MEN:  70 AND OVER

1    53 DALE ABRAHAMSON             72 YORKTOWN VA          38:54  7:50 *

2    78 GEORGE CARRIGAN             72 WILLIAMSBURG VA      41:49  8:25

3   104 JOSEPH L VERDIRAME          71 SUFFOLK VA           45:54  9:14 *

WOMEN:  12 AND UNDER

1    87 ANNA BLACKSTON               9 MIDLOTHIAN VA        42:35  8:34

2   144 ELLIE EPPS                  11 YORKTOWN VA          52:17 10:31 *

3   180 LILY BROWN                  10 WILLIAMSBURG VA    1:05:00 13:05

WOMEN:  13 – 19

1    32 SORENNA JEAN                19 WILLIAMSBURG VA      34:42  6:59 *

2    59 BROOKE SWARRINGIM           15 LANEXA VA            40:04  8:04

3    81 CANNON JEAN                 16 WILLIAMSBURG VA      42:00  8:27 *

WOMEN:  20 – 24

NONE

WOMEN:  25 – 29

1    36 EMILY PHILPOTT              25 YORKTOWN VA          35:48  7:13

2    43 MYKAYLA HERGES              27 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    37:20  7:31

3   109 SARA MORROW                 29 NORFOLK VA           47:08  9:29

WOMEN:  30 – 34

1    23 KRISTIN ROBERTS             34 ALEXANDRIA VA        33:42  6:47

2    90 JCOURTNEY WILLIAMS          33 WILLIAMSBURG VA      43:18  8:43

3    92 EMMA HARDY                  32 TOANO VA             43:27  8:45

WOMEN:  35 – 39

1    35 MEGAN SCHULZE               38 GLEN ALLEN VA        35:21  7:07 *

2    45 ERIN WOOD                   35 NEWPORT NEWS VA      37:58  7:39

3    48 ERIN MACHIE                 36 NEWPORT NEWS VA      38:21  7:43

WOMEN:  40 – 44

1    85 LATISHA TUCKER              41 VIRGINIA BEACH VA    42:22  8:32

2    89 STEPHANIE EITZEN            43 YORKTOWN VA          43:02  8:40 *

3    96 MICHELLE HOOPER             41 HAMPTON VA           44:03  8:52

WOMEN:  45 – 49

1    64 SUSAN HAGEL                 48 NORFOLK VA           40:32  8:10 *

2   120 CARISSA WORM                45 SMITHFIELD VA        48:58  9:51

3   124 SUSAN R HUTCHINS            46 CHARLOTTE NC         49:35  9:59

WOMEN:  50 – 54

1    84 KAYE GREEN                  52 SMITHFIELD VA        42:17  8:31

2   112 ALYSON KAST                 52 YORKTOWN VA          47:20  9:32 *

3   113 CRIZTINA JEAN               52 WILLIAMSBURG VA      47:28  9:33 *

WOMEN:  55 – 59

1    63 DEELYN ROBINSON             55 WILLIAMSBURG VA      40:30  8:09

2    80 CAROLINE KIGGINS            57 YORKTOWN VA          41:59  8:27

3    99 CAROL GRANTZ                55 PORTSMOUTH VA        44:52  9:02

WOMEN:  60 – 64

1    83 NORMA PHILLIPS              60 WILLIAMSBURG VA      42:11  8:30 *

2   130 SHIRLEY STEPHENS            64 WILLIAMSBURG VA      50:37 10:11 *

3   155 LINDA PIERCE                62 EARLYSVILLE VA       54:34 10:59

WOMEN:  65 – 69

1    98 HELEN WORTHINGTON           66 BENA VA              44:41  9:00 *

2   135 MARTHA GULLO                68 WILLIAMSBURG VA      50:51 10:14 *

3   142 DEBORAH LUDI                66 YORKTOWN VA          51:55 10:27

WOMEN:  70 AND OVER

1   125 PATRICIA TRAVIS             70 WILLIAMSBURG VA      49:41 10:00 *

2   131 BARBARA BIASI               73 YORKTOWN VA          50:37 10:11 *

3   150 VIRGINIA DAVIS              71 NORFOLK VA           53:39 10:48

Axsom's Army Topples Carolina Competition in Karate, Kata, and Kobudo

The spring has been busy for the martial artists of Axsom's Army. In the first of three competitions, the AAU North Carolina Karate State Championships, the Newport News based team, consisting of 34 athletes, and eight assistant coaches, brought home 71 medals: 37 gold, 24 silver, and 10 Bronze. Below is a breakdown of the competitors' accomplishments. The tournament was held in Raleigh, NC at the Jewish Community Center.

🔥Advanced Division Tournament Update🔥

👊Amiyr Gordon (12) Silvers - Kobudo and Kata  & GOLD - Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Ryan Sigsbee (16) Silvers - Kobudo and Kata  & GOLD Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Anna Deller (17) BRONZE - Kobudo

👊Austin Galeski (18-34) GOLDs - Kata & Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION 

🔥🔥Intermediate Tournament Update🔥🔥

👊Hunter Feicht (14) Bronze - Kobudo & GOLD - Kobudo * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Joe Fuscia (13) Silver - Kumite & GOLDs- Kobudo & Kata * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Kaitlyn Cooper (17) Triple GOLDs - Kobudo, Kata & Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION 

🔥🔥Update on Novice Competitors🔥🔥

👊Shianne Medlin (😎 Silver - Kata & GOLDs  Kobudo & Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Chris Gordon (7) Bronze - Kobudo & GOLD - Kumite  * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Lucas Gardner (😎 GOLD - Kobudo * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Isaiah McClain (😎 Silver - Kata & GOLD - Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Jalyn Wilks (10) Silver - Kobudo  & Silver - Kumite 

👊Conner Strickland (11) GOLD - Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Daniela Martinez-Chellis (14) Triple GOLDs - Kobudo, Kata & Kumite *NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Miranda Martinez-Chellis (15) Bronze - Kumite,  Silver - Kobudo & GOLD - Kata * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Alex Tomaino (16) Silver - Kata & GOLDs - Kobudo & Kata * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Brett Fallen (16) SILVER - Kobudo & Kumite & GOLD - Kata * NC STATE CHAMPION

🔥Bull-Moose Beginner Competitor Update🔥

👊Tenneson Feicht (4-5) GOLD - Kata & Silver Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION

👊Bradley Tate (4-5) BRONZE - Kata & Kumite 

👊Alana Humber (5) SILVER Kata & Kumite

👊Billy Lamping (7) Bronze Kumite

👊Reagan Strickland (7) Silver - Kobudo & GOLD - Kata & Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION

👊Cristiano Perez (😎 Silver - Kobudo & GOLD Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION

👊Coley Carney (10) GOLD - Kobudo NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Tanner Decker (11) Silver - Kobudo,  Bronze - Kata & GOLD - Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Ryan Wartell (12) GOLD - Kobudo * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Brodee Blackwell (12) Bronze - Kobudo & Silver - Kumite

👊Emily Galindo (15) Silver - Kumite, GOLDs - Kobudo & Kata * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Braeden Monroe (16) Triple GOLDs - Kobudo Kata & Kumite * NC STATE CHAMPION 

👊Rhys Batchelor (17) Triple Silvers - Kobudo, Kata & Kumite 

👊Hudson Burns (18-34) Bronze Kata & Kumite & GOLD - Kobudo * NC STATE CHAMPION

Here's our champions photo from the dojo.

Lafayette Wins Class 3 State Football (as seen on UltimateRecruit.com)

Mike Green’s 40-yard touchdown run on a broken punt attempt provided the game-clinching score for Lafayette, who won their first state championship since 2001, and capped an undefeated season, beating Lord Botetourt 27-13 on Saturday afternoon at Wanner Stadium in James City County. (Photo of Mike Green courtesy of Virginian-Pilot)

Leading 20-13 with 1:27 remaining in regulation, the Rams faced a fourth-and-seven situation from the Cavalier 40, and opted to punt, with the hope of driving Lord Botetourt deep into its own territory and relying on a defense that had stumped its opponent’s offense throughout the second half.

What ended up happening resulted in what Lafayette coach Andy Linn would call “the greatest play in school history.” Linn should know. He has coached with the Lafayette football team since 1997 and passed over several potential head coaching positions in the early 2000’s, as he told Recruit757 several years ago. At that time, Linn said, “I could have gone somewhere else, but I’m a Lafayette guy.”

Lord Botetourt had partially blocked a punt earlier in the game, and the constant pressure from its special team rush had resulted in several short kicks, giving the Cavs beneficial field position.

Enter Green.

The plan may have been to pooch a quick punt, but the snap was overdelivered, and the ball sailed above Green’s head, creating instant chaos.

For everyone but Green.

“After the ball snapped over my head and I caught it, there was already a defender too close, so I said, ‘I need to run this,” said the UVA commit.

Without missing a beat, Green instinctively darted to the right sideline, and was immediately knocked back two yards. Breaking one tackle, and then another at the sideline, Green started toward his left, where he maneuvered through a trio of Cavalier tackles. He was almost stopped again, short of the first down, but broke free and continued to angle to his left, leaving a host of would-be tacklers to hopelessly give chase. Green escaped a final grab at the 10 and decelerated into the end zone.

“When I broke free and saw the open field, I knew we had the game,” added Green.

Lord Botetourt buried its own cause with 14 penalties (for 141 yards) in the game, including several personal fouls, which came at inopportune times, and kept one Ram drive alive, while another turned a first-and-10 into a 3rd-and-35 for the Cavalier offense.

However, it was the Cavs who controlled a good portion of the first half. After the blocked punt gave them the ball at the Lafayette 36, Botetourt overcame a holding penalty, as Dylan Wade broke free for a 26-yard gain, taking the ball to the Ram 6. Wade would finish the drive with a one-yard push into the end zone, giving the Daleville team a 7-0 edge.

Lafayette was deep in its own territory with a minute to go in the first half. Luke Hanson found Luke Gatling on a 42-yard-deep route, bringing the ball well past midfield, and set up a 40-yard Cannon Newell field goal on the final play of the half, pushing the deficit to 7-3.

The Rams would take the lead on their first possession of the second half when Hanson found Green on a 28-yard fade route into the right corner of the end zone. Newell’s extra point gave the Rams a 10-7 lead.

Lord Botetourt would quickly respond, thanks to Wade (15 carries, 108 yards) who broke free for a 44-yard run, and then followed with a one-yard burst through his line into the end zone. However, the Rams got through to block the extra point and the Cavs led 13-10.

The Rams defense, now stouter than ever, held Botetourt in check and the Cavs punted. A short drive, highlighted by a 20-yard Green reception, ended up fruitless as Newell’s 34-yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright, ending the Rams chance to tie the contest.

Braxton Mooney’s eight-yard sack of Botetourt QB Sammy Peery set the defensive tone for the rest of the game. Soon after, the Rams caught a break as linebacker Bryce Cupp picked off a Cav pass and returned the ball to the visitors eight-yard line. Hanson followed with a one-yard sneak, and Lafayette regained the lead, 17-13. After an Aidan Byron pick, Newell added a 22-yd field goal, and the Rams opened up a seven-point lead at 20-13.

“Everybody talked about them jamming it down our throat, but we’ve got a defense that shuts it down, so that they’re meeting a rock when they run in the middle,” said Byron. While the Cavs executed the running game well at times, they totaled 241 yards for the game, with at least two-thirds coming in the first half.

Byron would later recover a Cavalier fumble setting up a stalled drive and Green’s run into Lafayette football history.

Lafayette 27, Lord Botetourt 13

Lord Botetourt (9-1); 0;7;6;0; —;13

Lafayette (9-0);          0;3;7;17;—;27

First quarter

LB — Rice 1 run (Harvey kick)

Second quarter

Laf — FG Newell 40

Third quarter

Laf — Green 28 pass from Hanson (Newell kick)

LB — Wade 2 run (kick blocked)

Fourth quarter

Laf — Hanson 1 run (Newell kick)

Laf — FG Newell 22

Laf — Green 40 run (Newell kick)

TEAM STATISTICS

;             LB;;Laf

First downs; 12;9

Rushes-yards;48-248;35-137

Passing yards; 21;104

Comp-Att-Int;2-10-3;;8-22-0

Fumbles-lost;1-1;3-0

Penalties;14-141;8-45

Punts;5-28. 4;5-25.2

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Lord Botetourt, Wade 15-108, Rice 21-102, Bratton 6-24, Peery 6-14. Lafayette, Reel 20-65, Green 1-40, Hanson 6-23, Gatling 1-7, Warren 3-4, Cupp 3-0, Team 1-(minus 2).

PASSING — Lord Botetourt, Peery 2-10-3–21. Lafayette, Hanson 8-22-0–104.

RECEIVING — Lord Botetourt, Horton 2-21. Lafayette, Green 6-66, Gatling 1-84, Jones 1-(minus 5).

Where We Are: Lafayette Plays for Class 3 State Football Title (as seen on Recruit757.com)

Lord Botetourt (9-0) vs. Lafayette (8-0), Saturday 2 PM, Wanner Stadium, Williamsburg, VA

Online TV: NFHS Network (subscription required)

Lafayette returns to Wanner Stadium this week, but this time it’s for the opportunity to capture the state championship that has eluded its grasp since 2001.

Under coach Andy Linn’s tutelage, the Rams came close once, in 2014, but fell 25-19 to a powerful Magna Vista squad that would also defeat tomorrow’s opponent, Lord Botetourt, 47-21 the following year.

The Cavaliers, from Daleville, just north of Roanoke, are also undefeated at 9-0, and arrive in Williamsburg on the heels of a 24-22 nail-biter win over Liberty Christian. This will be their third attempt at the championship, having also lost to Hopewell 35-7 in 2019.

Likewise, the Rams received a formidable challenge in the semis but recovered their own fumble in the game’s final two minutes to hold off Independence 17-13.

Both teams rely on the run, but the Cavs have a monster player in 226-pound back Hunter Rice with 995 yards and 20 TD in just nine games. Quarterback Sammy Peery has thrown for just over 1,000 yards, and 14 scores against only two interceptions.

The Rams respond with Miguel Reel (88-489-8) as the featured back. Reel carried 21 times for 107 yards in the Indy game. Luke Hanson should keep the Cavs defense honest, coming into Saturday with 925 yards and nine TD’s through the air.

Both teams have been bitten by the injury bug. For Lord Botetourt, WR/DB Kyle Arnholt is out, while Lafayette LB Sam Boyer, the Region 3A defensive player of the year, also will not play. University of Virginia commit Mike Green (6-4, 215) will be asked to pick up the slack on the Ram defense.

LORD BOTETOURT
Coach: Jamie Harless

Offense
89 TE Ethan Peggins; 6-5 235 Sr.
50 LT Gunner Givens; 6-6 272 Jr.
54 LG Trey Reiter; 5-11 265 Sr.
64 C Frank Sawyers; 5-11 240 Sr.
52 OG Troy Everett; 6-3 280 Sr.
72 OT Hunter McLain; 6-5 290 Jr.
43 WR Joey Isaacs; 5-9 145 Jr.
9 TE Xavier Stephens; 6-2 264 Sr.
1 QB Sammy Peery; 6-0 150 Sr.
44 FB Zach Horton; 6-4 240 Sr.
10 RB Hunter Rice 6-0 226 Sr.

Defense
52 DL Troy Everett 6-3 280 Sr.
78 NT Evan Heck 5-11 270 Sr.
9 DL Xavier Stephens 6-2 264 Sr.
44 OLB Zach Horton 6-4 240 Sr.
5 ILB Bryson Oliver 6-1 220 Sr.
10 ILB Hunter Rice 6-0 226 Sr.
24 OLB Nic Pitzer 6-1 207 Sr.
CB 2 Trevor Catron 5-10 170 Sr.
CB 43 Joey Isaacs 5-9 145 Jr.
11 S Jakari Nicely 6-0 180 Fr.
1 S Sammy Peery 6-0 150 Sr.

Specialists
6 PK Bryson Harvey 6-1 165 Jr.
3 P Mikey Rago 5-11 150 Sr.
—-
SEASON SCORES
W George Washington 70-6
W William Fleming 49-6
W William Byrd 55-13
W Staunton River 49-6
W Franklin County 57-7
W Northside (forfeit)

Region 3D playoffs
W Christiansburg 55-0
W Abingdon 26-8

Class 3 semifinal
W Liberty Christian 24-22
—-
Lord Botetourt SEASON STATISTICS

Rushing
Att Yds TD
Hunter Rice 98 995 20
Dylan Wade 94 626 6
K.J. Bratton 53 426 5

Passing
C-A-I Yds TD
Sammy Peery 49-64-2 1003 14

Receiving
Rec-Yds TD
Zach Horton 26-297 5
Kyle Arnholt;; 21-281-9

LAFAYETTE
Coach: Andy Linn

Offense

76 LT Bradley White 6-5 240 Sr.
53 LG Mike Julien 5-9 260 Jr.
79 C Tommy Gardner 6-4 320 Sr.
56 RG Andy Anderson 6-1 270 Jr.
75 RT Bryce Copeland 6-0 200 Jr.
4 TE Mike Green 6-4 215 Sr.
84 WR Donald Gatling 6-4 190 Jr.
2 WB Adrian Warren 5-10 180 Jr.
1 WB Bryce Cupp; 6-2 210 Sr.
8 QB Luke Hanson; 6-2 190 Jr.
5 RB Miguel Reel 6-0 190 Sr.

Defense

5 DL Miguel Reel 6-0 190 Sr.
53 DL Mike Julien 5-9 260 Jr.
79 DL Tommy Gardner 6-4 320 Sr.
9 DL Loyal Gresham 6-2 240 Jr.
7 LB Myric Harris 5-10 185 Sr.
50 LB Aidan Byron 5-11 200 Sr.
4 LB Mike Green 6-4 215 Sr.
22 LB DeMarcus Lawrence 5-11 200 So.
84 DB Donald Gatling; 6-4 190 Jr.
1 DB Bryce Cupp; 6-2 210 Sr.
27 DB Jaylin Pretlow 5-10 160 So.

Specialists

18 PK; Cannon Newell 6-0 165 Sr.
—-

Lafayette: SEASON STATISTICS

Rushing
Att Yds TD
Miguel Reel 88 489 8

Passing
C-A-I Yds TD
Luke Hanson 48-99-5 925 9

Receiving
Rec-Yds TD
Donald Gatling 20-285 6
Mike Green 14 -255 2

How They Got There - Lafayette Defeats Independence in Class 3 State Semifinal (as seen on UltimateRecruit.com)

 In a game that qualifies as an instant classic, Lafayette was taken to the hilt by Independence, but a Luke Hanson fumble recovery in the game’s final two minutes sealed a Class 3 championship game berth for the Rams, who nipped the upstart Tigers 17-13 at Williamsburg’s Wanner Stadium on Saturday.

With the win, Lafayette (8-0) will host Lord Botetourt, a 24-22 winner over Liberty Christian in the other semifinal next Saturday.

Indy struck first, as Florida State commit Brian Courtney tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Josh Hand. The extra point gave the Tigers an early 7-0 edge.

Lafayette responded with an 11-play, 80-yard drive that took up a huge chunk of the second quarter, culminated by Adrian Warren’s 10-yard scoring run with 2:50 left in the opening half, which ended with the score knotted at seven.

The Rams relied heavily on their running game, carrying the ball 42 times for 220 times. Miguel Reel (21 rushes, 107 yards) put Lafayette in the lead with 8:40 remaining in the third quarter with a seven-yard touchdown run to put the hosts on top 14-7.

The Tigers struck back immediately, needing just over two minutes to respond, as Elijah Tidwell scored from three yards out. However, the Rams’ Brandon Jefferson got a hand on the extra-point kick to keep the Rams ahead 14-13.

Early in the fourth quarter, Cannon Newell added three more points with a 36-yard field goal, putting the Rams ahead 17-13.

The Tigers had one final chance to score the game-winning touchdown, but the Ram defense held Courtney (8-16, 79 yards, TD, 21 carries, 101 yards) and the offense in check, forcing a punt with just under four minutes left in the game.

Lafayette would face one more nerve-wracking moment when Ram quarterback Luke Hanson fumbled the center snap near midfield with 1:42 remaining. Hanson recovered the fumble, allowing the Rams to run out the clock.

Despite the finish, Independence (5-2) capped its second season of varsity football in an unlikely spot, after starting their inaugural season 0-8, before winning two games to qualify for a playoff spot. Ram coach Andy Linn was impressed with the quick progression of the Tigers.

“As I told their coach (R.J. Windows), they’ve done a great job getting the kids out and running a system. They took their lumps last year but stuck with it and it has paid off. They’ll continue to get better.”