Ross places high at NAGA Atlanta Championships
Published 5:04 pm Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Jackson Morrison secures an armbar submission during his win in the beginner gi division at NAGA Atlanta.
Eleven members of Ross Martial Arts went to the North American Grappling Association Atlanta Championships in Riverdale, Ga., on Saturday, Feb. 9 and came home with medals.
Jay Russell, who owns Ross with his wife, Ronda, said the competition at this event was some of the toughest that the group had faced, but all 11 competitors from Ross that went brought home a medal.
“It was one of the biggest tournaments NAGA has ever had in Atlanta,” Russell said, “which is good, but more challenging. I’m very proud of how all of Ross’ members competed.”
Russell said that because it was such a big tournament, it was difficult to keep up with coaching throughout the day.
“Ronda and I were running around like crazy trying to coach,” he said. “The help of the parents that went with us was invaluable. They would keep us informed when someone was called to the mat or anything like that.”
Russell added that he wanted to thank Vowell’s, the Chu Clinic, the Fitzgerald Clinic, MedCenter, Southern Pipe and Supply, BankTrust, Holiday Cleaners and Batter Up Sports Bar and Grill for sponsoring them.
Pictured are members of the Ross Martial Arts Fight Team who competed (from left to right): Front row – Ronda Russell, Brett Schroeder, Jay Bell, Cameron Bell, and Collin Morgan; Back row – Tony Nicholson, Jay Russell, Jackson Morrison, Tristen Fitz-Gerald, Hunter Compton, Terrell Johnson, and Lane Hawkins.
“It’s not cheap to get to these events,” he said. “It’s $100 to register, and you have to show up a day before to weigh in, so you have to get a hotel. Their help makes all of this possible.”
The results for Ross Martial Arts at the tournament were as follows:
• Jay Russell, second in expert director men’s lightweight no gi
• Nikki Smith, first in beginner women’s gi heavyweight division and second in beginner women’s no gi heavyweight division
• Tony Nicholson, second in men’s super heavyweight gi and no gi
• Lane Hawkins, first in 16-17 teens novice super heavyweight gi and no gi and second in beginner gi
• Tristen Fitz-Gerald, second in 16-17 teens beginner no gi and gi welterweight division
• Jackson Morrison, first in 14-15 teens beginner gi and intermediate gi and second in no gi
• Hunter Compton, second in 14-15 teens novice gi and no gi heavyweight
• Brett Schroeder, first in intermediate boys 90-99 pound gi and no gi
• Collin Morgan, first in beginner boys 70-79 pound gi and first in beginner boys 80-89 pound gi as well as third in no gi
• Jay Bell, first in novice 50-59 pound boys no gi and gi
• Cameron Bell, second in novice 50-59 pound boys gi and no gi divisions.
