| |
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) Massachusett's Guy LaSorsa makes
good on his come back effort as he makes short work this opponent in the
100kg Open Class. 2) After a weekends work in Bakersfield, Gary
and Lisa Ray made their way down the the infamous Venice Beach thereby
adding two more colorful characters to the mix known to hang out in the
area. An interesting find was "George" the bartender at The
Townhouse located at 52 Windward Ave in Venice Beach. If you ever find
yourself at Venice Beach you have got to drop in and share some time
with this guy, he's a hoot and makes a great Bloody Mary. You won't
regret it. Ironically, when the Yukon Jack tournament was being
held at Venice Beach, the weigh-ins were actually held in this bar. What
a small world. 3) An unidentified young man hangs tough as referee
Steve Stanaway watches closely. 4) 80kg champion Jason Vale (New York)
is as cool as a cucumber at the table. Here Jason is in the lock-up with
Florida's Greg Helm. Greg was a fierce competitor but Jason was able to
counter and control most of what happened at the table. |
|
|
 |
 |
| 1) Louisiana's Craig Tullier finds
himself in a bit of a bind as Washington State's Lance Whitehill gives
it his all. Craig had an early round loss but came back strong to win
the 65kg division. 2) Harold Owens of Texas looks a bit excited as he
awaits the start of a match against Ohio's Dan Victor. Owens was the
winner. 3 and 4) The 75kg class final between Andrew
"Cobra" Rhodes and California's Allen Fisher brought the crowd
to their feet with an impressive display of power and endurance.
Cobra held true for the victory but I am sure he has a new found respect
for Allen. We are fortunate to have these guys on the USA Team. |
| 1) West Virginia's Travis Bagent
looks to be in good shape but it was not to be as eventual winner, Bucky
Russell of South Carolina pulled through. 2) New York's Ray Darling
proved he has what it takes as he finished with two fifth place 100kg
finishes in both the Masters and Open divisions. 3) Mike Bowling
knows that Travis Bagent packs a punch and he looks ready for it! He did
manage to stop Travis for a short while but could not muster the win. 4)
Louisiana's Ray Hennerichs gets his California television debut as the
local news crew zeroes in on him during a match. Good luck on the new
career Ray, remember us back when. |
|
