Alliance Taekwondo participated in the 2012 Roughrider Invitational on October 20th with twenty competitors. The Alliance Juniors Team, captained by jr blacksbelts Caleb and Logan Olson and Lynsey Eberle was fifteen competitors strong; the twelve underbelt competitors included Nicholas Uhlich, Tanner Olson, Shawna Fairbanks, Austin Hunt, Justin Story, Steven Weigel, Zachary Webb, Zachary Miller, Hudson Eggie, Jaxen Hassebrock, Braden Fritel and Trevion Two-Hearts. The Juniors Team took home twenty-six trophies in twenty-six separate divisions. Adult competitor Stephanie Webb competed in two divisions and took home a trophy. Four black belt competitors, Alliance assistant instructors Tammy Fairbanks, Paige McDaniel, Dale Schneibel and Alliance alumnus Kyle Sanford, also competed in five separate divisions, taking home one trophy and bringing the full count up to twenty-eight awards in thirty-three separate divisions.
The blackbelts started the day with forms; Alliance alumnus and now Master in his own right, Master Charles Smith competed in a Master’s forms division and took home the first place trophy. Junior Team captains Caleb Olson and Lynsey Eberle both took first in their respective jr blackbelt divisions.
In an arrangement unique to the Roughrider Invitational, blackbelt breaking was up next, where Mr. Dale Schneibel, took second place in a very large division with a display of determination and power. Later in the day, Ms Lynsey Eberle claimed third in the jr blackbelt breaking division, showing excellent focus.
In underbelt forms, the Alliance Juniors team went big, with Justin Story, Steven Weigel and Zach Webb claiming first place in their respective divisions; Austin Hunt, Hudson Eggie, Braden Fritel and Trevion Two-Hearts all secured second place in their respective divisions; Zach Miller took home third place in his forms division. Ms Stephanie Webb, as the only adult underbelt competitor from Alliance at this event, took first place in her division.
In underbelt breaking, Mr Justin Story and Mr Braden Fritel secured second place finishes; Mr Austin Hunt and Mr Trevion Two-Hearts claimed third place finishes in their respective divisions.
In the sparring divisions, the Junior Team captains were mixed into a large jr blackbelt division of seven competitors, but to their credit they came out on top with Ms Lynsey Eberle taking first, narrowly defeating teammate Caleb Olson, who took second. In a single advanced boys division, Justin Story and Steven Weigel ended up in a similar situation, with Story taking first and Weigel taking second. One weight class lower, their training brother Austin Hunt took first in his division. In a younger advanced division, Mr Tanner Olson and Mr Nicholas Uhlich fought some of their best matches to date, and they came away with first and third places, respectively. In a youth intermediate division, training brothers and newcomers to the tournament scene Zach Webb and Zach Miller ended up battling for a third place finish in their division, with Mr Zach Webb taking the win in the end. In a youth beginner division, Braden Fritel and Trevion Two-Hearts advanced into the final round and squared off for first and second, with the more experienced Fritel coming away in the number one spot.
In blackbelt fighting, after making it to the third place match Mr Kyle Sanford was denied a win due to a judging failure. In the same division Master Charles Smith carved through each of his opponents in turn to take first.
Alliance would like to thank the Grandmaster Ted Fitzsimmons and the Roughrider Academy for hosting the tournament and providing these opportunities. Alliance would also like to congratulate the entire team on all the hard work, and thank the parents, instructors and coaches who have supported them. As always, our gratitude goes out to Grandmaster Eric Greenquist for his many years of dedication and instruction, and Great Grandmaster Moo Young Yun for his tireless efforts in the promotion of the martial arts.
