|
|
The Jarrettsville Tournament Team at the 2002 National Junior Olympics on the floor of the Metrodome in Minneapolis Minnesota.
At Jarrettsville TKD,
we have a mixture of children, teenagers and adults
who train for a number of reasons. Most want to learn how to defend
themselves. Others see a great opportunity to improve mentally, physically
and spiritually. The smallest group cares about all of the above and has
taken it several notches higher -- they have asked to compete in the
nation's most demanding martial arts arena -- the state and national Junior
Olympics.
The price is considerable but the rewards are great.
For two years, Jarrettsville has been the only recreation council TKD
school to compete on the national level that feeds into the United State
Olympic team. Our students have earned medals and rubbed shoulders with
some of the best fighters in the nation. In 2001 in Tampa, many on the
Jarrettsville team met Steve Lopez, a USA gold medallist. The experience is
deeply enriching and a point of pride with Master Nawrozki. In July, we
completed on the floor of the Minneapolis Metrodome, a great thrill.
The students who qualify for the national competition are unique in another
sense -- their air fare and hotel accommodations are paid for by the
program. And that doesn't happen automatically. The trip to the nationals
in July usually begins in October. This year, students will have to pass
several tests to qualify and the mental and physical preparation will be a
challenge as it always has been.
Students and parents help make this possible. We have fund raisers in the
form of basket bingos and a dance. And students are always coming up with
new ideas to help improve the team and overall class. The contributing
students are many -- Mister Connolly, the program administrator; Mr.
Tomassello, the program treasurer, and Tina Carr, Sandi Linkous, Dwight
Griffith, Ron Bredder, Bill Neimiller and others. Parents are huge
contributors with their volunteer work at the various fund raisers and
local businesses help us greatly. Even the local government, with County
Executive Jim Harkins leading the way, has give us immeasurable help.
The everyday work with the tournament team is done by Mister Goode, a
coach, and Master Nawrozki, who also coaches and establishes training
modalities. For the most part, this requires three days of intense training
a week, Saturdays being special workouts at the Forest Hill Sports Complex.
Master Nawrozki and Mister Goode confer, often daily, about schedules,
training and many of the other concerns facing the team.
The students come away with a couple of benefits. First, they learn first
hand that tough training and preparation leads to success. They learn that
they can only do their very best -- that when they square off against
another fight in the ring, that is a moment of truth for them. They learn
individual responsibility and team-building, they learn the importance of
balance in their daily lives. They learn that they give everything they
have to win but if they don't it is not the end of the world. Master
Nawrozki says that we all should learn more from our defeats than our
victories -- if our egos are in check.
It should also be noted that these young athletes are diverse human beings
wit h their own personalities, dreams and interests. Nothing, not even
national competition at the highest level, should get in the way of those
important life shapers. But one truth is also evident -- their efforts at
reaching for the best will help them be leaders and better prepared for the
world that all too quickly meets them as adults.
 |
 |
|
Before we found a permanent home at the Forest Hill Sports Complex for training on weekends. The tournament team would train outside. The above photo was taken after a workout at Mountain Road Park in January! |
Newspaper photo from the "Aegis" of the Jarrettsville metal winners from the 2002 Junior Olympic Nationals. |