| Member News
June 6, 2008
Updated Qualifiers List for 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo
(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – USA Judo is pleased to announce the updated list of athletes who have qualified to compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Judo, June 13-14 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nev.
On May 16, athletes who had qualified for the Trials in multiple divisions declared which weight they would fight in Las Vegas while others decided whether they would accept or decline their invitations.
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Josh O'Neil (blue) and Nick Kossor fought in the 60kg division at the 2007 Fall Classic. |
On the men’s side, Josh O’Neil (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center) was the only player to qualify in two divisions – 60kg and 66kg. A former 66kg player, O’Neil moved down to 60kg in 2007 where he qualified for the Trials with a fifth-place finish at the German Open. O’Neil fought back up to 66kg in April and placed third in the division to earn a potential #6 seed at 66kg. O’Neil accepted the 60kg invitation which moved #9 Joseph Hashimoto (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University) into the #8 slot in the 66kg division.
Also in the 60kg division, Miguel Ballesteros (Miami, Fla. / USA Judo National Training Site at North Miami), a fifth-place finisher at the 2006 U.S. Open who hasn’t competed since the fall, declined his invitation, moving Kyle Taketa (Torrance, Calif. / Gardena Judo) up to a #8 seed. Taketa, a 16-year-old who moved up from 55kg after winning bronze at the 2007 Senior Pan Ams, recently won gold at the Pan Am Juvenile Championships.
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Kenny Hashimoto (blue) defeated Taylor Takata, the #1 in the 66kg division, at the 2007 Fall Classic, but injuries will keep him out of the Trials. |
Hashimoto’s brother Kenny Hashimoto (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University), a seven-time Senior Nationals medalist, withdrew from the Trials this week with an injury, moving Tanner Singh (Plano, Texas / Dallas Judo) into the #8 seed.
Numerous changes were made to the women’s rosters for the divisions (52kg, 63kg, 78kg and +78kg) that the United States did not qualify to participate in at the 2008 Olympic Games.
Top-ranked 52kg player Anna Palmer (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center) was injured at the Pan American Championships in May and declined both her 52kg slot as well as the #4 57kg seed she earned after her 2008 Senior Nationals bronze medal finish. Ann Shiraishi (San Francisco, Calif. / East Bay Judo Institute), a medalist at every U.S. Open and Senior Nationals during the past three years in the 48kg division, won the 52kg National title, but chose to compete as a #3 seed at 48kg. Former 2007 Pan Am Games Team member Grace Ohashi (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center) has not competed since sustaining an injury at the 2007 Golden State Invitational in August and will not participate in the Trials.
The declinations opened invitations to the following players:
- Kim Carpenter (Glenville, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
- Jessica Sternick (San Antonio, Texas / Universal Judo)
- Samantha Martin (Burleson, Texas / Ruben Martin Judo)
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Marti Malloy (white) defeated then-#1 Kristen Allan at the 2007 World Team Trials in the 63kg division, but will fight down to 57kg at the Trials. |
Two-time Pan Am Team member Marti Malloy (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose
State University) declined her #1 seed in the 63kg division for a #8 seed as the 2008 National Champion in the 57kg division. Hannah Martin (Burnt Hills, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center) earned a #6 seed in the 63kg division after placing third at the Senior Nationals; however, Martin accepted a #3 seed at 57kg. Janine Nakao (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University) also was eligible to compete in both 57kg and 63kg and has chosen the 57kg division where she has a #5 seed.
Due to Palmer’s withdrawal from the 57kg division, Jackie Perez (College Station, Texas / Texas A&M Judo) moved up to the #8 seed.
Second-ranked 63kg player Kayla Harrison (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE) moved up to 78kg earlier this year and the reigning National Champion accepted a #3 seed in the heavier weight.
Former Senior Nationals medalists Ashlie Martini (Chicago, Ill. / Tohkon / Victorious Judo) and Kristen Allan (Springfield, Va. / Sport Judo) both declined their slots in the 63kg division.
The declinations opened invitations to the following players:
- Anastasia Krivosta (Smithtown, N.Y. / Smithtown YMCA)
- Corinne Geier (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
- Ronni Aragona (Glenville, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
- Shaniqua Brown (Atlanta, Ga. / Waka Mu Sha)
- Hendye Chery (Columbus, Ohio / Ohio State University Judo)
- Joanna Kielkucki (Staten Island, N.Y. / New York Dojo Institute)
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Katie Mocco (blue) fought 78kg at the Pan Ams where she placed fifth after this match against Lorena Briceno before moving back down to 70kg. |
A former 70kg National Champion, Katie Mocco (Glenville, N.Y. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center) moved up to 78kg in 2007 where she would earn a #1 ranking in the division, but she earned enough points through a silver medal 70kg win at the FEDOJudo International Cup last summer to hold onto a #7 seed at 70kg where she will compete at the Trials.
Lorey Edwards (Lorain, Ohio / Chu To Bu) had rankings in both the 78kg and +78kg divisions and chose to compete in the 78kg as a #4 seed.
Athens Olympian Nikki Kubes (Fort Worth, Texas / Fort Worth Judo) and former World Team members Marina Lambert (Chesapeake, Va. / Washington Judo) and Molly O’Rourke (El Cerrito, Calif. / East Bay Judo Institute) declined their 78kg invitations, opening the division to the following players:
- Missy Tashihiro (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
- Amber Butts (Fontan, Calif. / LACC Judo Club)
- Laquinta Allen (Miramar, Fla. / Onikusu Judo Club)
- Malinda Bridges (Coventry, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi Judo Club)
In the +78kg division former 2007 Pan Am Team member Brittni Bradford (Tampa, Fla. / St. Pete Judo) declined her invitation. Janelle Snider (Latham, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center) and Andi Bongert (Dubuque, Iowa / Sioux City Judo Club) moved up to the #5 and #6 seeds, respectively.
This year’s event will be held for the first time simultaneously with the Trials for USA Wrestling and is expected to be one of the most exciting sporting events in the United States as athletes fight to win one of as many as 14 weight divisions in judo and 18 Olympic wrestling weight classes in the three Olympic styles (men’s freestyle, men’s Greco-Roman, women’s freestyle).
Tickets are still available and may be purchased by visiting www.usajudolasvegas.com.
Members of the media may request credentials by visiting www.usajudolasvegas.com/media.php.
A complete roster of athletes scheduled to compete in the Trials is as follows:
60kg
1. Taraje Williams-Murray (Bronx, N.Y. / NYAC / Spartak Sports Club)
2. Nick Kossor (Glenville, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
3. Aaron Kunihiro (Wakefield, Mass. / USA Judo National Team FORCE)
4. Josh O’Neil (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center)
5. Jeff Sato (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center)
6. Jeff Fujimoto (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
7. Dan Gomez (College Station, Texas / Texas A & M Judo)
8. Kyle Taketa (Torrance, Calif. / Gardena Judo)
66kg
1. Taylor Takata (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center)
2. Jeremy Liggett (Glenville, N.Y. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
3. Nate Torra (El Cerrito, Calif. / NYAC / East Bay Judo Institute)
4. Justin Flores (Glenville, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
5. Jeff Fong (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
6. Daniel Chow (Honolulu, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri)
7. Joseph Hashimoto (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
8. Tanner Singh (Plano, Texas / Dallas Judo)
73kg
1. Ryan Reser (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center)
2. Michael Eldred (Fruitland, Idaho / Western Idaho Judo Institute)
3. Chuck Jefferson (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
4. Radu Brestyan (Wakefield, Mass. / USA Judo National Team FORCE)
5. Nick Delpopolo (Glenville, N.Y. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
6. Bobby Lee (Wakefield, Mass. / USA Judo National Team FORCE)
7. RJ Cohen (Buffalo Grove, Ill. / Cohen’s Judo)
8. Bill Shanahan (Rexford, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
81kg
1. Travis Stevens (Glenville, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
2. Aaron Cohen (Buffalo Grove, Ill. / NYAC / Cohen’s Judo)
3. Harry St. Leger (Brooklyn, N.Y. / NYAC / Legrosports Starrett)
4. Andrew Hung (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
5. Ross MacBaisey (Atlanta, Ga. / Emory Judo)
6. Jose Bencosme (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
7. Davor Vasiljevic (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
8. Danny Satinsky (Buffalo Grove, Ill. / Cohen’s Judo)
90kg
1. Garry St. Leger (Brooklyn, N.Y. / NYAC / Legrosports Starrett)
2. Rick Hawn (Wakefield, Mass. / USA Judo National Team FORCE)
3. Brian Olson (Boulder, Colo. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center)
4. Landry Ambouroue (North Richland Hills, Texas / Ruben Martin Judo Training Center)
5. Jacob Larsen (Santa Rosa, Calif. / Redwood Coast Judo)
6. David Ellis (Roselle Park, N.J. / Cranford Judo)
7. Eric Duus (Saratoga, Calif. / Stanford Judo)
8. Atsushi Yoshinaga (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
100kg
1. Adler Volmar (Coral Springs, Fla. / USA Judo National Training Site at North Miami)
2. Christian Aarona (Waimanalo, Hawaii / Makiki Seidokan Judo Club)
3. Djamaldin Aliev (Denver, Colo. / Denver Judo / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center)
4. Dariusz Mikolajczak (Brooklyn, N.Y. / NYAC / Legrosports Starrett)
5. Shintaro Higashi (Scarsdale, N.Y. / NYAC Kokushi Budo Institute)
6. Michael Barnes (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
7. Victor Jean-Baptiste (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Mushakan Dojo)
8. Brian Picklo (Mustang, Okla. / USA Stars)
+100kg
1. Anthony Turner (Miami, Fla. / USA Judo National Training Site at North Miami)
2. Daniel McCormick (Wakefield, Mass. / USA Judo National Team FORCE)
3. Kirk Hoffmann (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center)
4. Jonathan Leonhardt (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
5. Derek Alef (Santa Barbara, Calif. / Santa Ynez Valley Judo)
6. James “Brewster” Thompson (Las Vegas, Nev. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
7. Conor Driscoll (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
8. Michael Prieditis (Fayetteville, N.C. / Fayetteville / Fort Bragg Judo)
48kg
1. Sayaka Matsumoto (El Cerrito, Calif. / NYAC / East Bay Judo Institute)
2. Natalie Lafon (Glenville, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
3. Ann Shiraishi (San Francisco, Calif. / East Bay Judo Institute)
4. Angela Creutzberger (Ballston, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
5. Katelyn Bouyssou (Hope, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi Judo)
6. Diana Yoshida (Dallas, Texas / Dallas Judo)
7. Lisette Abad (San Jose, Calif. / After-School All-Stars)
8. Kayla Hall (Granite City, Ill. / USA Stars)
52kg
1. Tracy Nagai (Bellevue, Wash. / Budokan Judo)
2. Nicki Schultheis (Glenville, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
3. Chrissy Chow (Honolulu, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenrii)
4. Mindy Chow (Honolulu, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri)
5. Tara Clark (Livermore, Calif. / Northern California Elite Team)
6. Kim Carpenter (Burnt Hills, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
7. Jessica Sternick (San Antonio, Texas / Universal Judo)
8. Samantha Martin (Burleson, Texas / Ruben Martin Judo)
57kg
1. Valerie Gotay (Harlingen, Texas / USA Judo National Training Site at Harlingen)
2. Carrie Chandler (Glenville, N.Y. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
3. Hannah Martin (Burnt Hills, N.Y. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
4. Janine Nakao (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
5. Hana Carmichael (Wellington, Fla. / Budokan Judo)
6. Michelle Hagerty (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center)
7. Marti Malloy (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
8. Jackie Perez (College Station, Texas / Texas A&M Judo)
63kg
1. Paola Genao-Butler (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center)
2. Christal Ransom (Colorado Springs, Colo. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Olympic Training Center)
3. Anastasia Krivosta (Smithtown, N.Y. / Smithtown YMCA)
4. Corinne Geier (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
5. Ronni Aragona (Glenville, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
6. Shaniqua Brown (Atlanta, Ga. / Waka Mu Sha)
7. Hendye Chery (Columbus, Ohio / Ohio State University Judo)
8. Joanna Kielkucki (Staten Island, N.Y. / New York Dojo Institute)
70kg
1. Ronda Rousey (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE)
2. Katie Sell (Harlingen, Texas / USA Judo National Training Site at Harlingen)
3. Tomoyo Yoshinaga (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
4. Jaclyn Feuerschwenger (Linden, N.J. / Cranford Judo)
5. Jennifer Tutass (El Cerrito, Calif. / Cunningham’s Judo)
6. Katie Mocco (Glenville, N.Y. / NYAC / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
7. Helen Delpopolo (Westfield, N.J. / Cranford Judo)
8. Natalie Laursen (Livermore, Calif. / Northern California Elite Team)
78kg
1. Nina Cutro-Kelly (San Antonio, Texas / Universal Judo)
2. Rhonda Morrell-Pruitt (Centerville, Ohio / Shudokan Judo Club)
3. Kayla Harrison (Wakefield, Mass. / NYAC / USA Judo National Team FORCE)
4. Lorey Edwards (Lorain, Ohio / Chu To Bu)
5. Missy Tashihiro (San Jose, Calif. / USA Judo National Training Site at San Jose State University)
6. Amber Butts (Fontan, Calif. / LACC Judo Club)
7. Laquinta Allen (Miramar, Fla. / Onikusu Judo Club)
8. Malinda Bridges (Coventry, R.I. / Mayo Quanchi Judo Club)
+78kg
1. Heidi Moore (Englewood, Colo. / Denver Judo)
2. Melinda Swanson (Honolulu, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri)
3. Nanoushka St. Pre (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Legrosports Starrett)
4. Toni Geiger (Dumont, N.J. / Tech Judo)
5. Janelle Snider (Latham, N.Y. / USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center)
6. Andi Bongert (Dubuque, Iowa / Sioux City Judo Club) |
