Students from the ATA Martial Arts Academy in Osage Beach won 14 total gold medals during a recent tournament in Chesterfield, Mo.
Five gold medals were won in forms, five in sparing and four in weapons.
Overall results from the ATA martial artists included:
• Morgan Kennedy – 2nd forms, 1st sparring, 2nd weapons.
• Paul Pendino – 1st forms 1st sparing 1st weapons.
• Paul Pendino Sr. – 1st forms 2nd sparing 1st weapons.
• Philip Pendino – 4th forms, 3rd sparring, 4th weapons.
• Jean Pendino – 4th forms, 3rd sparring, 4th weapons.
• Tyler Gibble – 2nd forms, 4th sparring, 3rd weapons.
• Jackson Bettis – 2nd forms, 3rd sparring, 1st weapons.
• Kevin Qauil – 3rd forms, 2nd sparring, 2nd weapons.
• Alyssa Dale – 3rd forms, 2nd sparring, 3rd weapons.
• Brian Beard – 2nd forms, 2nd sparring, 1st weapons.
• Ron Coleman – 4th forms, 1st sparring, 4th weapons.
• Jake Thering – 2nd forms, 2nd sparring, 3rd weapons.
• Michael Spalj – 4th forms, 4th sparring, 4th weapons.
• Gabe Howk – 1st forms, 4th sparring, 4th weapons.
• Raymond Houts – 4th forms, 4th sparring, 4th weapons.
• J.T. Houts – 4th forms, 1st sparring, 2nd weapons.
• Dalton Houts – 2nd forms, 3rd sparring, 4th weapons.
• Karen Hoffman – 4th forms, 1st sparring, 4th weapons.
• Kylie Shepherd – 1st forms, 4th sparring, 4th weapons.
• Jack Shepherd – 1st forms, 4th sparring, 4th weapons, 3rd combat weapons.
The students at ATA travel the United States competing in tournaments in places such as Las Vegas, Florida and Chicago among others.
The group is planning on having upcoming tournaments in Chicago (March 12-13), Kansas City (April 2-3) and Terre Haute, Ind. (April 9-10).
ATA has also put together a jui jitsu team that will be traveling the U.S. in search of golds.
“All of the students work hard at ATA Martial Arts but the parents behind the scenes is where the true heart of the team is,” said Jack Shepherd of Lake ATA.
For more information on the Academy or any other martial arts, call 573-302-0009.
