Member News

May 23, 2007

Photo Credit: Lou DiGesare / Real Judo

2007 Pan Am Coaches Notes from Jason Morris

We had a terrific first day in Montreal. Having seven out of eight of our athletes fight for a medal as well as qualifying seven of eight spots to go the Pan Am Games was outstanding. The athletes fighting tomorrow were clearly pumped as they watched teammate after teammate qualify for the medal rounds leaving them with the feeling that they could do it as well. The coaching staff has been very pleased with the team chemistry as all the kids have been very supportive of each other.

It was especially nice to see underdogs, Kirk Hoffmann and Garry St. Leger pick up bronze medals as they secured a spot for their divisions at the Pan Am Games as well as moving a step closer to the Olympics. Aaron Cohen picked up his fifth Pan Am medal and Ronda Rousey won a bronze in her new division to make it total of four medals for the US squad today. The team is on a pace to beat the six total medal count of the 2006 Pan Ams in Argentina which is an obviously good sign for us as we continue to improve going into the Worlds and the Olympics.