Left to right: Dave Hayakawa, 4th place men’s light weight division, Luis Camacho, 1st place, men’s light weight division, Nate Way, 4th men’s heavy weight division and Justin Kostuch, 3rd men’s light weight division. (Contributed photo) 

By Tom Gustin, Special to the City-Times

The Stevens Point Judo Club participated in the 42nd University of Wisconsin Washington County, United States Judo Association State Judo Tournament.  There were over 100 participants from Wisconsin hoping to go home with gold.  This was the last tournament of the school year.

Coaches Jim Haferman, Jim Weidner,  Mallory Hebert and Carolyn McDonalds worked the scoring table for the day.  They participated in learning the new C.A. R. E. system, which is like a replay of a challenge during a Packer Game.  The purpose of this system is to make sure the real winner leaves the mat. Coach Tom Gustin worked with the competitors during the matches.

Keston Hayakawa

The Stevens Point Judo Club had 7 students attempting to be on top at the end of the day.  Keston Hayakawa took 1^st in 9 year old light weight division.  Bradly Makuski took 4^th in boy’s 14 year old heavy weight division.  Abishua Kealiher, place 2^nd in boy’s medium weight class.

Abishua Kealiher

In the Senior Division, Nate Way took 4^th in the men’s heavy weight class.  Luis Camacho placed 1^st in the Senior Men’s light weight class, team mates Justin Kostuch place 3^rd and David Hayakawa place 4^th in the same division.

Fighting your team mates is difficult, fun, and rewarding.  At match time your team mates is now a challenge, like a chess game, you know what he will try, how do you out smart him to win?

This is the last Judo class and tournament for the school year.  Regular classes will resume when school starts in the fall.  There will be a self-defense class for women being held at the “Dojo” May 20, 2014 for 6 weeks.  For further information call Betsy Koth 715-347-4166 or contact Tom Gustin, 715-343-0665.