BAY VIEW TAKES 23 HOME

Congratulations are in order for our tournament team after their fine performance at the USA Amateur Athletic Union Region 1 Championships!  This is the 3rd straight year our school has participated in the Regionals: Rachel Palis broke the ice alone in 2002; then 6 BVK members competed in 2003.  This weekend, 11 Bay View karateka and several of their parents spent two nights in Troy, N.Y. to participate in the AAU2004 Regionals.  Our Regional athletes are:

Eric Reynolds
Mikayla Reynolds
Bradley Reynolds
Kathy Moss
Michael Moss
Beverly Pugh
Laura Pugh
Aidan Mutschler
Paul Garman
Rachel Palis
Samantha Sforza

Our team of 11 competitors brought home a total of 23 medals, 12 of them gold.  All of them have now qualified to advance to the National Championships, should they so desire.  Many interesting stories of their adventures will be told in classes this week!  For instance, Paul tied for the bronze medal in weapons and had to perform his sai kata a second time.  

This was only Michael's second tournament, but he surprised everyone (including himself) with his magnificent performance.  Rachel and Sam locked horns with many advanced foes in the black belt divisions.

There was also a group dubbed "the old ladies' division."  And Eric drew blood from his opponent in a particularly weird way (yuck).  We'll hear about this and much more in class.

Kathy Moss also initiated a major accomplishment for us by completing the AAU karate coach's training, and serving as our team coach during this tournament.  She was amazingly busy throughout the Hudson Valley Community College arena on Saturday, moving from ring to ring, seeing to the needs of all our athletes.  In addition to coaching, Kathy also competed!  After she submits her written exam within the specified period, she'll receive her official certification as an AAU coach.  Thank you, Kathy, for contributing so much to our school and to Bay View YMCA in this way! 

Many thanks to the drivers who transported our team safely to Troy and back, and for our entire Bay View contingent who spent a considerable chunk of cash on the weekend trip: on tournament fees as competitors and spectators, hotel rooms for 2 nights, meals, and gas.  Such an undertaking requires a huge effort, and will remain a memorable experience for all involved.  Thank you for boldly taking this personal step into the big leagues, and for carrying the Bay View banner so far!