Member News

March 20, 2007

Jason Morris Inducted into Local Wrestling Hall of Fame

Morris receives his Hall of Fame Award from Joe Demeo.

Jason Morris (Glenville, N.Y.), 2008 U.S. Olympic Judo Team Head Coach Nominee and head coach of the USA Judo National Training Site at the Jason Morris Judo Center, was recognized for his achievements as a former All-American wrestler at the Section 2 Wrestling Hall of Fame banquet on March 11 in Scotia, N.Y.

Section 2 encompasses the greater Albany area and has produced many World and Olympic caliber wrestlers, including Morris’s fellow honorees Jeff Blatnick, a 1984 Olympic Champion, and Kristie Marano, a three-time Wrestling World Champion who got her start on the judo mat, winning her first Senior National medal at the age of 13. 

Morris was one of 23 inductees that also included Olympians Frank Famiano (1984) and Andy Seras (1988).

A dominant wrestler in high school, Morris posted a 98-4 record at Burnt Hills High School, going 75-0 during his last two years when he won back-to-back state titles.  After graduation, Morris went on to achieve All-American status at Syracuse University where he placed fifth at the 1989 NCAA Division I Wrestling National Championships – the same year he also took fif

th at the World Judo Championships.  

Following the Hall of Fame induction, Morris was the keynote speaker at the 36th annual Demeo Wrestling awards dinner in which the best of Section 2 for the 2006-2007 season were recognized. Morris also was a former Demeo award winner in 1985.

Morris presents the keynote speach at Hall of Fame banquet.	Kristie Marano, eight-time World medalist, and Morris.	Morris with wife Teri Takemori and mother Chris.