2000 AAA National Championships
Bakersfield, California
July 7-8, 2000

All photos are referred to from left to right and described by numbers 1-4

1) Bill Sinks pulls out all the stops to defeat Greg Helms. 2) A great shot of a Brazilian T-shirt worn by a worldly traveler 3) A view across the stage at the 2000 AAA Nationals 4) A Team New Jersey shirt adds color and flair.
2000Nationals-147.jpg (27408 bytes)
1) Leslie Whims struggles to win a very tough match in the late rounds 2) Michael Todd of Arkansas hangs tough to take an earned win over Glenn Brooks of Alabama 3) Houston's Jeff Tomchesson prepares to fire off in a first round match aganst Eric Wolfe of Arizona. Wolfe was the winner 4) Storm'n Norman Devio shows shows a young opponent that many years of armwrestling can make you tough as nails. At 60 years young, Norm is a legend.  This was a classic battle of East vs. West as Storm'in Norm Devio of Massachusetts has California's Mike McGraw at a slight disadvantage in this Open 70kg. Class match. Apparently it didn't work out for Norm as Mike eventually took the Division Title.
1) Walter Gurode of Texas leans in with his patented shoulder roll to take a win over one of the Stanaway brothers. Walter placed second behind Joe Fitzsimmons of Vermont. 2) Louisiana's Rajin Cajun Ray Hennerichs (3rd place finish) puts the pressure on Rick Laton (4th place finish) in a tough left handed match in the 60 kg class. My hat is off to Mr. Laton who battled all day with no sign of giving in. 3) Mark Maxey of Arkansas takes on a serious look as he lines up with a very tough Michael Selearis of New York. Both working hard to stay in the championship hunt were these two world class competitors, Mark Maxey of Arkansas (3rd place-1999 WAF World's in Russia) against New York's Michael Selearis. If I'm not mistaken, this was a first round match up that when announced had everyone in the room looking up. Selearis advanced in the winners bracket and ended the day with a very respectable third place finish in a packed 90kg. class.  4) Mark Maxey and wife Christy take a front row seat at the Nationals.
1) Michel Nohra of Houston takes an early round win in his first National championship appearance against an unidentified opponent. 2) Mitch Cady of Washington State cranks through Gary Ray of Texas to take the 100kg Masters Title. These two "Gentlemen" earned the right to represent the division in Virginia Beach working their way through a field that consisted of four previous World Champions. 3) Louisiana's Robert Redden hangs tough but falls short in a heated match against Washington State's Jacob Abbott in the left handed 90kg class. 4) A quick look to the scorers table catches Richard Fox, Jill Tullier and Bob O'Leary discussing the days business.