Free MuSool TaeKwonDo Class Offered to the Public.

MuSool Academy will offer a free TaeKwonDo class on Friday, January 15th at 430pm at the Port Orange location. This class is open to kids ages 4 and older. The class will be instructed by 5th degree black belt Shelby Creech.

No martial arts experience is needed.

If you would like to sign up for the class please contact Shelby Creech at 386.322.0508 or creech@musool.org.

MuSool Color Belt Testing Announced

The MuSool Black Belts announced the next Color Belt Testing and promotions on Saturday, January 30th at 10am. The testing will include students from the TaeKwonDo and HapKiDo Programs.

All students must have all tuition and testing fees paid prior to being allowed to test. Sabumnim Creech will be handing out testing applications starting January 18th.

Good luck and train hard!

Free MuSool HapKiDo Self-Defense Class Offered to the Public.

MuSool Academy Port Orange will offer a free MuSool HapKiDo class on Saturday, January 16th at 9am. This class is open to men and women ages 14 and older. The class will be instructed by 4th degree black belt Shelby Creech and will cover several aspects of street defense.


No martial arts experience is needed.

If you would like to sign up for the class please contact Shelby Creech at 386.322.0508 or creech@musool.org.

Ninja Night

On December 18th, MuSool Academy had a Ninja Night to give parents a chance to go Christmas shopping or to just go on a much needed date. All the kids really enjoyed the event and asked for another chance to do the Ninja Night. The event was full of games, food and fun!

This Ninja Night is going to be Friday, January 15th from 6pm to 10pm. The cost will be $20.00 and that will cover all food and crafts. Please sign up as soon as possible so the MuSool Academy staff knows how much food and events to plan.

MuSool Academy Starts a New Class Schedule on January 2nd.

Starting January 2nd, MuSool Academy will be starting a new and improved schedule to help accommodate all the new students that have enrolled since August. The Academy will add a Saturday HapKiDo Class, move the MMA class to a more convenient time, and have a special Mini-MuSool Class geared for 4 to 6 year olds.

Class Schedule

Monday & Wednesday
4:30pm to 5:15pm..............Open TaeKwonDo
5:30pm to 6:15pm..............MuSool Mixed Martial Arts
6:30pm to 7:30pm..............Sport TaeKwonDo

Tuesday & Thursday
4:30pm to 5:15pm..............Mini MuSool TaeKwonDo (ages 4 to 6)
5:30pm to 6:15pm..............Beginning TaeKwonDo
6:30pm to 7:15pm..............Advanced TaeKwonDo
7:30pm to 9pm..................MuSool HapKiDo

Friday
4:30pm to 5:15pm..............Open TaeKwonDo
5:30pm to 6:15pm..............Sport TaeKwonDo

Saturday
9am to 10am.....................MuSool HapKiDo
10:30am to 11:30am...........Sport TaeKwonDo

Click here for the official calender: http://www.musool.org/new/calendar.php

MuSool Black Belt Jason Midyette Invited to US Jr. World Trials

MuSool Black Belt Instructor and TaeKwonDo Player Jason Midyette earned the right to return to the Olympic Training Center (OTC)in January this past weekend. Midyette was one of three MuSool Black Belts that attended the World TaeKwonDo Team Trials Phase 1 on December 12th and 13th at the OTC in Colorado Springs, CO.

Midyette will return to the OTC January 9th and 10th with his coach Shelby Creech. If he places first in a round robin team trials he will be on the US Jr. World Team and will travel to Tijuana, Mexico for the Jr. World Championships March 6th – 9th.

Gus Ben-Hamo and Bo Godawa both attended the Championship but fell short of making the cut to return. Both Black Belts sparred gallantly but did not win enough matches to place in the top four. This was Godawa’s first black belt tournament after being selected as a black belt.

MuSool Academy has Two New MuSool Black Belts

There were two new MuSool Black Belts earned on December 5th at MuSool Academy Port Orange. Bo and Josh Godawa completed their MuSool Advanced Training Techniques (MATTs) Training on December 3rd and were granted the MuSool Black Belt Selection that lasted a little more than three and a half hours. Both candidates were in the MATTs program for almost a year. Bo Godawa was under the direction of MuSool Master Chuck Moore and Josh Godawa was trained by MuSool Black Belt Jason Midyette.

The Selection was conducted by MuSool Master Brian M. Stanton from MuSool Academy Jacksonville. The Selection consisted of all their basic to advanced kicking and striking techniques, forms, one on one sparring, three on one sparring, self-defense against an unarmed attacker, self-defense against an attacker with a knife, sword techniques and board breaking. Only one percent of students make it to the MuSool Black Belt Selection.

Bo Godawa was awarded MuSool Black Belt number 24 while his brother Josh Godawa was awarded MuSool Black Belt number 25.

Prior to being able to be selected by their peers to wear a black belt, students must train for a minimum of three years at MuSool Academy, complete at least six months of MATTs Training under a MuSool Black Belt, and complete three black belt checks to make sure they are on track. Bo and Josh trained at MuSool Academy for four years and three months. Both are great in the competitive ring as well. This past year Josh won a gold medal in the advanced division at States but was unable to compete at the National Event due to illness. Bo won a silver medal in the advanced division at States and went to the US Nationals where he won another Silver medal.

Bo Godawa will be competing at the Olympic Training Center with MuSool Black Belts Jason Midyette and Gus Ben-Hamo December 12th and 13th.

Congratulations to both for achieving such a hard accomplishment.

All Holiday Orders MUST Be in By December 10th

Holiday Orders must be in by December 10th to ensure delivery by Christmas. Anyone wishing to buy gear please contact Master Creech at creech@musool.org or call 386.322.0508.

Two MuSool Students will go through Black Belt Selection

On December 5th, MuSool Advanced Training Techniques (MATTs) Candidates will be going through their selection for MuSool Black Belt.

Bo and Josh Godawa have been students at MuSool Academy for a little more than four years now. Chuck Moore took Bo Godawa as his Jeja (personal student) and Jason Midyette took Josh Godawa as his.

For the past 8 months the four of them have worked very hard to get ready for this Saturday. The MuSool Black Belt Selection Board will select them as MuSool Black Belts based on their performance the past few months and how they do at the selection it’s self.

If you would like to come and support Bo and Josh the selection starts at 9am and will run to noon.

MuSool Black Belts to compete at the Olympic Training Center

On December 10th MuSool Black Belts Jason Midyette, Gus Ben-Hamo and Bo Godawa will leave for the Jr. World Team Trials Open at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

The trio will compete on December 12th and 13th for a chance to be invited back to the OTC in January for the second phase of the Team Trial Process.

MuSool Academy has several tournaments planned for the 2010 season and needs your help to send these kids to reach their dreams. If you would like to make a tax deductable donation please contact Monty Midyette at MuSool or Shelby Creech.

MuSool Academy wishes these boys a great tournament and we know they will make us proud!

MuSool Port Orange to host NINJA NIGHT on December 18th

MuSool Academy will be hosting its first NINJA NIGHT at the Port Orange Location on December 18th. Ninja’s will take part in Ninja Games, Food, a Movie and LOTS and LOTS of FUN! Parents can drop their little warriors off at 645pm and pick them up no later than 11pm. The cost is $19.95 if you pre-register or $24.95 if you pay at the door. This event is open to non-MuSool Students as well as MuSool Students. Contact Master Creech @ 386.322.0508 or creech@musool.org to register or more information.

We hope to see you there.

MuSool Black Belt Makes the Daytona News Journal Sports Page

Local aims for 2012 Olympic spot

By AUDREY PARENTE
Staff writer



The aggressive fighting yell of tae kwon do Olympic-hopeful Jacquelyn "Jackie" Lauricella of Port Orange is getting louder.

Lauricella -- a Spruce Creek High School senior, who was previously on the Junior Olympic Team -- placed first in her weight class at a Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center team trial recently.

The win earned her one of eight female spots on the first-ever under-24 USA National Team.

"We have a junior national team (ages 14-17) and a senior national team (ages 24-27), but we wanted to give those who are not quite senior the opportunity to compete," USA Taekwondo spokesman Bill Kellick said. "She (Lauricella) should be right at her peak for the next two Olympics (2012 and 2016)."

A featherweight, Lauricellawas scheduled to compete in France today through Saturday. But officials cancelled the team's first outing for "lack of suitable accommodations," and because "one of the (U-24 Team) coaches was sent to Afghanistan," according to a USA Taekwondo release.

A new event, a round robin which guarantees multiple fights for all participants, is being rescheduled for Mexico in April, according to USA Taekwondo CEO David Askinas.

The schedule change hasn't deterred the 18-year-old. She's determined to seek an Olympic spot on the four-member team dominated by Steven Lopez, 31. Last year his siblings, Mark Lopez, 22, and Diana Lopez, 25, made the team. Charlotte Craig, 18, rounded out the 2008 squad.

"I don't feel discouraged because they are something to look up to," Lauricella said. "It would be the greatest feeling in the world to unnerve a dynasty and take a place on the Olympic team."

Her heightened martial arts yell isn't the only change of regimen since the junior games, when she was a middleweight competing at the pack's center.

"My style of training went from every night for a couple of hours to every minute I can," she said. "I'm working out and running. I'm constantly on the move. I really want this."

She's been dieting to stay a featherweight and plans to lose another 15 pounds.

"At this weight I am a lot faster, and I am definitely one of the top contenders in this division rather than someone just in the middle," she said. "The coaches closely watch our fighting styles and attitudes."

At international competition, Lauricella will pair with national team coach Jean Lopez of Miami. But locally her trainer is Shelby Creech at Musool Academy in Port Orange.

Creech said Lauricella -- a third-degree black belt who has trained for 10 years -- is the only girl on his competition roster. Two younger male students are training for the junior team. Creech is known at USA Taekwondo, because he has competed for a spot on the team himself.

"Jean Lopez went to the same team trials as me in 1993, but not in the same weight division," said Creech, who has high hopes for Lauricella.

"It's every coach's dream to put someone on the national team," he said.

Two MuSool Black Belts Make the USA TaeKwonDo Magazine.

Not one but two MuSool Black Belts made it into the fall 2009 issue of the USA TaeKwonDo News Magazine.

First, Instructor Jackie Lauricella made the first U-24 National TaeKwonDo Team and will be traveling abroad next year to compete internationally. The Magazine had a question and answer session with the new team. Instructor Jackie will also be in the sports section of the Daytona Beach News Journal on December 1st.

Master Chuck Moore also made it into the issue for attending a Referee Development Camp that was held in August at the Olympic Training Center.
Of course MuSool Academy will have a copy of the magazine in the parent’s room at MuSool Academy.

Black Friday Discounts on Gear and such.

MuSool Academy will be offering 20% off all uniforms, gear, and merchandise and 10% off of MuSool t-shirts on Black Friday (November 27th). The Academy will be open from 4pm to 530pm for parents and students to come in and order gear. If you would like a catalog emailed to you please request one by returning this email.

All yellow belts and above need to consider getting their gear. Gear packages start at $149.95 but Black Friday Discount with the $20.00 discount you can get yours for under $120.00.

MuSool Academy Holds Color Belt Testing.

MuSool Academy Port Orange hosted a MuSool HapKido/TaeKwonDo Color Belt Testing and MATTs Check on Saturday, November 14th.

Students from MuSool Jacksonville also tested. Here is a list of students that tested and passed for their next rank.


Kylie Payne Yellow TaeKwonDo Port Orange
Dawn Wicklund Yellow HapKiDo Port Orange
David Bush Yellow HapKiDo Port Orange
Shelbert Creech IV High Yellow TaeKwonDo Port Orange
Andrew Lenois High Yellow TaeKwonDo Port Orange
Samantha Babiez High Yellow TaeKwonDo Port Orange
Stephen Ruvolo Orange TaeKwonDo Jacksonville
Becky Helms High Orange TaeKwonDo Jacksonville
Joe Ward High Orange HapKiDo Port Orange
Stephanie Stanton Blue TaeKwonDo Jacksonville
Austin O’Rourke High Blue TaeKwonDo Port Orange
Gabriel Mitchell Red TaeKwonDo Port Orange
Ashlyn Belcher Red TaeKwonDo Port Orange
Aiden Charnock High Red TaeKwonDo Port Orange
Isabelle Kiester MATTs Check TaeKwonDo Port Orange

A special thanks to the MuSool Black Belts that attended the event; Shelbert Creech, Brian Stanton, Allana Creech, Leila Klemm, David Hammacher, Peggy Shavers, Aymee Fremont and Jesse Midyette.

Congratulations to a job well done. The next testing is scheduled for January 16th, 2010. Train hard!

Schedule for Saturday's Testing.

Saturday, November 14th MuSool Academy will be holding a color belt testing and MATTs Candidate check. This week students that are potentially ready for the testing will be given Testing Application and Permission Sheets. Each student must have their parents and school teachers sign off on the sheet and testing fees must be turned in on Friday, November 13th.

Following the Belt promotions there will be a short break (30 minutes or so) and then MuSool Master Instructors Shelby Creech and Brian Stanton will present a Mixed MuSool HapKiDo and TaeKwonDo Class open to anyone over the age of 12 that wants to try. This class will be free of charge and open to beginners as well as advanced students. Below is a tentative schedule for the events.

930am: MuSool Academy opens its doors for warm up.

10am: Mini-MuSool Testing and belt promotions. Any student under the age of 7 may test at this time.

1030am: MuSool Testing. All TaeKwonDo and HapKiDo students that are testing may test at this time.

1230pm: Break

1pm: Mixed MuSool HapKiDo and TaeKwonDo Class open to anyone 12 and older.

MuSool Academy is taking orders for the Holiday's

MuSool Academy can help you find that perfect gift for your martial artist. Contact Shelby Creech at 386.322.0508 or creech@musool.org to get the gift that your little martial arts student needs and wants.

Two MuSool Students Pass for Yellow Belt

Two MuSool students tested and received their yellow belts this week. Due to illness Samantha Babiez and Andrew Lenois could not test on October 10th with the rest of the students. The MuSool Black Belts granted them permission to do a special make up testing on October 20th and 21st. Both students did excellent and passed with flying colors.

Womens Self-Defense Seminar Forming

Many of you know Master Vega who teaches Hapkido with MAster Creech on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Mr. Vega and his wife have taken a unique approach to self defense for women. Simple Self Defense for Women focuses on, how to escape an attack and not stay and fight. This is a one time session for two hours for women who want to simply know a few techniques on how to escape when someone attacks you. This session will not ask you to take your shoes off and you will not be thrown around. This program focuses on four core techniques that will allow women of all ages, from teens to seniors to escape from most types of attacks.

This is not a comprehensive course on self defense, if that is what you want then please attend our Hapkido classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Every women should know a few techniques on how to escape an attack and this programs covers that.

The Next Simple Self Defense for Women™ seminars are on Saturday 10/24 10:00AM in Daytona Beach Shores Community Center on A1A and Thursday 11/12 6:00PM at the Homewood Suites next to JC Penney at the Volusia Mall.

Make it a girls day out or if you could forward this out to any women who should know how to simply escape an attack, I have attached PDF’s with the information on the seminars. If you pre-register on line it is only $15.00 with tax, $20.00 at the door.

For more details on Simple Self Defense for Women or to register visit, www.simpleselfdefenseforwomen.com.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Aidan Charnack Wins Gold at Disney

Aidan Charnock won a gold medal at the Disney Martial Arts Festival on October 17th. The tournament drew over 3500 competitors from 12 separate disciplines and was held at Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. Aidan won the Olympic Style TaeKwonDo Tournament in the Red Belts 12 and 13 year old division. This was the 10th anniversary for the event.

MuSool TaeKwonDo Team Parents Assocation to host a Scare Zone to Raise Money for Team

The MuSool TaeKwonDo Team’s Parents Association will be hosting a Scare Zone to raise Money for the 2010 TaeKwonDo Competition Team. The Association will be selling pizza and taking donations at the event. The Scare Zone will be located at 1343 East Dexter Drive (Willow Run) in Port Orange on Halloween from 6pm to 10pm.

In the past two years the MuSool TaeKwonDo team has put several members have placed on the National and international levels as well making the US National Team.

Members of the 2010 MuSool TaeKwonDo Team will be competing at the US Open in Las Vegas, NV, US National’s and at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for several events. Please come support the MuSool TaeKwonDo Team on Halloween and have a great scare as well.

Historic Fifth World Title for Steven Lopez

Bill Kellick - USA Taekwondo

Steven Lopez (Sugar Land, Texas) became the first fighter to win five world championship titles on Wednesday when he captured the men's welterweight gold medal at the WTF World Taekwondo Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Lopez, 30, won his first world championship gold medal in 2001 and has been undefeated at the biennial event ever since, winning titles in 2003, 2005 and 2007. He has also won two Olympic gold medals (2000 & 2004) and one Olympic bronze medal (2008) in the last decade, but the world championships are often regarded as being the tougher event due to the depth of the field. It would take six straight match wins on Wednesday to claim this year's title.

Lopez began the historic day with a win by withdrawal over Israel's Roman Rusinov and then defeated Poland's Piotr Pazinski, 5-1. He reached the quarterfinals with a 4-2 win over Serbia's Radomir Samadzic.

The quarterfinal match with Iran's Farzad Abdolahi turned out to be a rough and tumble affair with Abdolahi being disqualified after incurring eight penalties including a punch that knocked out Lopez's tooth.

But Lopez was now only two wins away from history and faced a familiar foe in the semifinals in Canada's Sebastien Michaud. The two fighters met in the semifinals of the last world championships in 2007 with Lopez prevailing, 1-(-2). The outcome this time would be no different as Lopez won by a 4-1 tally to reach the gold-medal bout against Spain's Nicolas Garcia Hemme.

Lopez's quest for history would go right down to the wire in the final with Garcia Hemme. Tied at the end of regulation, the match went to an overtime period in which neither fighter was able to score. The decision would now go to the judges based on who was the more aggressive fighter during the overtime period, and they determined Lopez as the superior fighter, thereby awarding him the victory and his place in history.

The other two U.S. fighters in action Wednesday both reached the round of 16

Men's heavyweight Jason Neville (Edmond, Okla.) won his first match by withdrawal over Kenya's John Ireri and then defeated Cameroon's Pierre Nyok Nyok, 4-0. But Neville dropped a 3-2 decision to Iran's Hossein Tajik in the round of 16.

Women's welterweight Nia Abdallah (Houston, Texas) defeated Jordan's Shaden Thweib, 2-0, and then won by withdrawal over Tunisia's Khaoula Ben Hamza. She lost her round of 16 match to Norway's Nikolina Kursar 4-2.

The WTF World Taekwondo Championships continue through Sunday. The daily schedule for U.S. fighters is below:

Thursday, October 15
Men's under 58 kg - James Howe (San Ramon, Calif.)
Women's under 49 kg - Victoria Stambaugh (Pasadena, Texas)
Women's under 57 kg - Danielle Holmquist (Coral Springs, Fla.)

Friday, October 16
Men's under 63 kg - Brian Gallagher (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Women's under 53 kg - Danielle Pelham (Bothell, Wash.)
Men's under 68 kg - Steven Lin (Chatham, N.J.)

Saturday, October 17
Men's under 54 kg - Luis Reyes (Chatsworth, Calif.)
Men's under 87 kg - Antony Graf (Miami, Fla.)
Women's under 46 kg - Talina Le (Woodinville, Wash.)
Women's under 73 kg - Dalia Avivi (Plantation, Fla.)

Sunday, October 18
Men's under 74 kg - Mark Lopez (Sugar Land, Texas)
Women's under 62 kg - Stephanie Beckel (Miami, Fla.)
Women's over 73 kg - Lauren Cahoon (Miami, Fla.)

VIEW COMPLETE DRAW

MuSool Academy Holds Color Belt Testing.

MuSool Academy held a color belt testing and MATTs check on Saturday October 10th at the Port Orange School.

Nicholas Lunt, Devin Weller, Jordan Lunt, David Scales and Hanna Ward all were promoted to yellow belt. William Smith received his high red belt as well.
Bo and Josh Godawa both passed their MuSool Black Belt Check and were given permission to go through the MuSool Black Belt Selection on December 5th.

Due to illness, several students were given permission to test later this week. MuSool Online will keep you posted.

MuSool After School Visits Old Sugar Mill

The MuSool After School program went to the old Sugar Mill Gardens on Wednesday, October 7th as part of the programs continuing education. The kids got to walk the Garden and play with the dinosaur’s that are in the park. They also learned about the Dunlawton Plantation and the Indian’s that use to attack it in the early 1800’s.

MuSool Academy's Shelby Creech one of the Guest of Honors at TaeKwonDo Academy's Grand Opening

MuSool’s Academy’s Shelby Creech was one of the guests of honors at Indian River TaeKwonDo’s Grand opening in Vero Beach on September 26th. TaeKwonDo Master Chung Park and Tony Chung from Ft. Lauderdale and Kung Fu Master Kevin Ritter from Jenson, FL rounded out the special guest speakers at the event.

Master Jeff Langlois is the owner and operator of Indian River TaeKwonDo and well respected in the Martial Arts community. MuSool Academy wishes him great luck at his new location.

MuSool Takes Part in Cypress Creeks Open House

MuSool Master Shelby Creech, Instructor Allana Kuack-Creech and Fred Godawa represented MuSool Academy at the 2nd annual Business Partner Expo at Cypress Creek Elementary open house on September 24th. The Expo was a great way for MuSool Academy to get its name out to the community and help build MuSool Academy’s student base.
MuSool Academy has been a long time supporter business partner of Cypress Creek donating time and money to the school. Majority of the students at MuSool Academy are students of Cypress Creek as well.

Expert Analysts to Resolve World Championships Disputes

Greater fairness and transparency will be a major factor at the 2009 WTF World Taekwondo Championships next month following the appointment of nine top-level former taekwondo athletes and coaches to analyze instant video replays in case of disputes.

This will be the first time instant video replay has been used at the World Championships. The Competition Supervisory Board of nine who will adjudicate after viewing a replay have extensive hands-on experience at the highest level of competition. They include Olympic medalists and a world champion.

The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) is taking the step as part of a wide-ranging reform of the Competition Rules to ensure fairer, more transparent and more exciting competition. Competitors will also wear electronic body protectors which register points scored.

WTF President Chungwon Choue said: “It is expected that the reshuffle in the Competition Supervisory Board will contribute to fairer judging, as newly appointed members capitalize on their field experience accumulated as athletes and coaches.”

Among the nine experts are four taekwondo masters who have won the highest accolades:
- Pascal Gentil, France, bronze medalist at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games.
- Hadi Saei Bonehkohal, Iran, gold medalist at the Athens and Beijing Olympic Games.
- Kook-Hyun Jeong, Korea, four-time world champion.
- Herbert Perez, United States, gold medalist at the Barcelona Olympic Games and
currently Chairman of WTF Training, Education and Development Committee.
The board also includes five WTF Council members.
-Mario Mandel Vaisman, Chile, International Referee, President of the Chile Taekwondo Federation
-Driss El-Hilali, Morocco, President of Moroccan Taekwondo Federation
-Seong Cheon Hong, Philippines
-Dae Won Moon, Mexico, Chairman of the WTF Technical Committee
-Jesus Castellanos Pueblas, President of the Spanish Taekwondo Association

Previously, the board has comprised seven members; this has been increased to nine to avoid a board member analyzing video of an athlete from the same country.

"This a good step forward for the WTF to bring a new generation of taekwondo experts and accomplished athletes into the judging and review process at major events," said USA Taekwondo CEO David Askinas. "Having Herb Perez as one of the competition supervisors ensures that the WTF will achieve new levels in fairness at its competitions."

The World Championships will take place from 14-18 October in Copenhagen, Denmark.

TaeKwonDo Color Belt Testing Date Announced

MuSool Academy Port Orange will be hosting a color belt testing on October 10th. Students that wish to test will need to prove that they have what it takes to move up to the next belt level before permission slips are handed out. High belts should be attending the Tuesday/Thursday high belt class to make sure that they have their belt techniques sharpened. Low belts can attend any class Monday through Friday to obtain their skills. High belts should also attend some of the low belt classes to keep their basic taekwondo skills in tuned.

The MuSool Masters and Instructors will be handing out testing permissions forms to be signed by teachers and parents the week prior to the testing. Testing cost will be $55.00 for under green belts and $65.00 for over green belts. Study hard.

MuSool Academy Students Compete at National Team Trials

MuSool Academy qualified three players for the AAU National Team Trials in Ft. Lauderdale, FL on September 11 – 13th. Jackie Lauricella, Jason Midyette and Gus Ben-Hamo all qualified in July by placing at the AAU National and Jr. National Championships.

The AAU Team Trials is a round robin event where the top four finishers from nationals and last years team member all battle it out for a spot on this year’s team.

Jason Midyette became an Alternate for the team after winning two matches but losing to the first place winner twice. If the first place winner is unable to go the International event then Midyette will go in his place.

Jackie Lauricella fell ill the day of the event but still had a strong showing. She did not make the team but still represented MuSool Academy well.

Gus Ben-Hamo was unable to compete at the team trials due to an injury he received three weeks prior to the competition.

MuSool Black Belts to Compete at upcoming AAU Team Trials

MuSool Black Belt Gus Ben-Hamo at the AAU Florida Qualifier
Three MuSool Black Belt Team Members from the MuSool TaeKwonDo Team will be attending the AAU National Team Trials September 11th – 13th in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Jason Midyette and Gus Ben-Hamo will be competing in the Jr. Males 14 to 17 year old black belt division on Saturday, September 12th while Jackie Lauricella will be competing in the Women’s 18 to 34 year old black belt division on Sunday, September 13th.

All three players had to place in the top 4 in their division to be invited to these team trials. If they place first they will be on the AAU National Team and will compete in the German Open in March 2010.

MuSool Masters Promoted in HapKiDo

After an hour and a half test Grandmaster Ron Berry promoted Master’s Shelby Creech and Brian Stanton to 4th Dan HapKiDo Black Belts on Saturday, August 29th. The testing took place at MuSool Academy Port Orange and covered all aspects of Traditional HapKiDo including a 30 minute oral test on history of HapKiDo and its founder.

Isabelle Kiester Accepted into the MATTs Program

The MuSool Black Belt Board voted to put Isabelle Kiester into the MuSool Advanced Training Techniques (MATTs) Program under the Direction of Master Shelby Creech. The MATTs Program is the final step for a color belt before going through the MuSool Black Belt Selection. Every MATTs Candidate has a MuSool Black Belt Instructor to guide them through the three phases of the program.

Kiester will start the First Phase (the training phase) of the program immediately under Creech. If Kiester stays on target she will receive her MuSool Black Belt in early February 2010.

As of right now Bo and Josh Godawa are the only other two students in the MATTs Program. Bo Godawa is instructed by MuSool Master Chuck Moore and Josh Godawa is under the direction of Jason Midyette. Both Godawa’s are expected to go through the MuSool Black Belt Selection on October 24th in front of the MuSool Black Belt Board.

MuSool Master Moore to Attend Referee Camp at the OTC

MuSool Master Chuck Moore will be attending a USAT comprehensive training camp exclusively for referees August 27-30, 2009. The 2009 Referee Development Camp is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of U.S. referees in Olympic-style Taekwondo (sparring) and is open to any USAT member who is interested in becoming a referee or becoming a better referee. The camp is scheduled to take place at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., August 27-30.

Upon successful completion of the camp, referees will receive credit toward their referee certification. The camp will link theory to practice by providing referees with opportunities to immediately apply the knowledge they acquire at the camp. The camp will cover the new WTF competition rules and all aspects of officiating (judging, center referee, and technical assistant) at events. "We want the U.S. referees to be part of the future of the sport and the future is now," stated Mr. John Holloway, co-chair of the Referee Development Program. "The Referee Development Camp is a great opportunity for referees to stay ahead of the curve."

MuSool Black Belt Promoted to MuSool Master

Students need not call MuSool Black Belt Chuck Moore Instructor any longer, because now he holds a 4th degree black belt and is a certified MuSool Master. Master Moore is in his early 60’s and trains as hard if not harder than some of the teens in the classes he teaches. Master Moore was promoted at the color belt testing that was held on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009. Master Moore teaches the Tuesday and Thursday classes at MuSool Port Orange as well as referee’s tournaments around the state. He also serves as the Head of the TaeKwonDo for the MuSool Black Belt Board. Congratulations to Master Moore.

MuSool Color Belts Promoted

MuSool Academy had a Color Belt Testing on Saturday, August 22, 2009. Students from the Port Orange and Jacksonville Dojangs tested. Bo and Josh Godawa did a MATT’s Black Belt Check and were given permission to go through the Black Belt Selection on October 24th, 2009. Here is a list of the Students that were promoted:

Becky Helms High Yellow Belt MuSool Jacksonville
Stacy Roa High Yellow Belt MuSool Jacksonville
Bailey Creech Orange Belt MuSool Port Orange
Aaron Creech Jr. High Orange Belt MuSool Port Orange
Stephanie Stanton High Green Belt MuSool Jacksonville
Tippy Pack-Brown High Green Belt MuSool Jackwonville
Don Bell High Blue Belt MuSool Port Orange
Isabelle Kiester High Red Belt MuSool Port Orange
Bo Godawa Deputy Black Belt MuSool Port Orange
Josh Godawa Deputy Black Belt MuSool Port Orange

The next color belt testing is scheduled for October 10th, 2009 at MuSool Port Orange with one scheduled in November at the Jacksonville Location. Congratulations to everyone that passed their test.

MuSool Black Belt Jackie Lauricella Makes First U-24 Team

The first-ever Under-24 U.S. National Team was selected Friday at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The 16-member team was finalized during a single-elimination trials event.

The U-24 National Team will travel to Korea in November to take part in a series of exchanges with Korean universities.

Qualifying for the U-24 team were:

Men's Finweight: Jarred McKee (Aiea, Hawaii)
Men's Flyweight: Jayme Cajimat (Ewa Beach, Hawaii)
Men's Bantamweight: Jermaine James (Cape Coral, Fla.)
Men's Featherweight: Terrence Jennings (Alexandria, Va.)
Men's Lightweight: Trevor Neville (Edmond, Okla.)
Men's Welterweight: Luke Ford (Miami, Fla.)
Men's Middleweight: Salar Faiazi (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Men's Heavyweight: Stephen Lambdin (Colleyville, Texas)

Women's Finweight: Kelsey Kitagawa (San Mateo, Calif.)
Women's Flyweight: Kelly Chu (Plano, Texas)
Women's Bantamweight: Aziza Chambers (Springfield, Ohio)
Women's Featherweight: Jacquelyn Lauricella (Daytona Beach, Fla.)
Women's Lightweight: Jennifer Daye (Edmond, Okla.)
Women's Welterweight: Paige McPherson (Sturgis, S.D.)
Women's Middleweight: Ally Creel (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Women's Heavyweight: Amanda Nissen (Carrollton, Texas)

Upcoming Events Announced at MuSool Academy

MuSool Academy is gearing up for a GREAT 2009/2010 School Year. The Summer Testing will be conducted on August 22nd at 10am at MuSool Academy Port Orange. Several students that competed the summer session at MuSool Academy will be eligible. Good luck to all that are testing.

The MuSool After School Program is just about full with students that will be picked up and transported to MuSool Academy for classes. The After School Program will start on August 24th which is the first day of school.

August 29th, Master Shelby Creech and Master Brian Stanton will be testing for their 4th Degree Black Belts in HapKiDo. The test will be at MuSool Academy under the Direction of Grand-Master Ron Berry of Mudo College. Grand-Master Berry will also be conducting an Olympic Style TaeKwonDo and HapKiDo Seminar on the day of the testing. Please come be part of this special occasion.

Starting August 31st at 730pm, the Teen/Adult Mixed Martial Arts Classes will start back. This class is for students that are 12 and above to learn all ranges of a fight. Students will be well rounded with kicking, boxing, throwing and grappling skills. The class is free to MuSool Students but must have Instructors permission to join.

September 5th, will be MuSool Academy’s Annual Open House and Bring a Day Friend. This event gives the community the opportunity to see what MuSool Academy is offering. MuSool Academy will be relying on its students to bring in their friends to help build the school.

Three team members from the MuSool TaeKwonDo Team will be competing at the AAU National Team Trials, September 11th – 13th. Jackie Lauricella will be competing in the 18 to 32 year old Black Belt Division. Jason Midyette and Gus Ben-Hamo will be competing in the 14 to 17 year old Black Belt Division.

Jackie Lauricella Competes at USAT Nationals

Austin, TX – MuSool Black Belt Jackie Lauricella competed at the USA TaeKwonDo National Championships in hopes to make it to a special team selection camp later this year. The top four finishers at the National Championships would be invited to this camp.

Lauricella won her first match 8 to 1 but lost her second match to past national team member Sanaz Shahbazi to miss the bronze medal.

Jackie Lauricella is now preparing for the U-24 Championships at the Olympic Training Center on August 21st as well as the AAU National Team Trials September 11th – 13th with Jason Midyette and Gus Ben-Hamo.

The rest of the Team is still practicing for upcoming events.

MuSool TaeKwonDo Team Dominates AAU Nationals

Ft. Lauderdale, FL – The MuSool Taekwondo Team made its presents known at the 2009 AAU National and Jr. National Championships. Most of the team members were able to make the trip down to compete. Only Josh Godawa did not compete due to illness.

Our team had a total of fifteen fights .Ten of the fights were won by the seven point rule, and one fight was won by knock out. The team suffered three losses with two of those losses in the gold medal round and the final lose was to the gold medal winner.

Jackie Lauricella, Gus Ben-Hamo, and Jason Midyette all competed on the first day of the tournament.

Jackie Lauricella started the winning streak off with her knock out in the first round. The score was tied 2 to 2 until she threw a spin heal kick making the score 4 to 2. The other player was unable to finish the match. That put Lauricella in the medal round and insured an invitation to the team trials so she bowed out placing third.

Gus Ben-Hamo’s division was the next to go. Gus won his first two fights by the 7 point gap (10 to 3 and 7 to 0) and his final match 6 to 3 to put him in the medal round. Since the medal round is what is needed for an invitation to team trial’s Ben-Hamo bowed out also placing bronze.
The third team member to compete was Jason Midyette. He fought two great matches and he won both matches by the 7 point gap (8 to 1 and 8 to 1). He bowed out once he was in the medal round and insured an invitation to team trials. These three athletes are invited to the AAU National Team Trials in Ft. Lauderdale September 11th – 13th.

On day two Isabelle Kiester was the only player to compete. She won her first fight 22 to 13 and her second fight 16 to 9. She barely lost in the finals and proudly claimed silver place.
On day three Bo Godawa and Jesse Midyette competed. Godawa point gapped his first competitor 8 to 1 and his second player 6 to -1. Godawa lost in the finals to take the silver.
Jesse Midyette was the final player to compete. He won his first match by the 7 point rule 9 to 7 but lost the medal round not placing.

Congratulations to the team for representing MuSool, but we are not done yet!
Jackie Lauricella will be representing Team MuSool in Austin, TX. She will be competing the 4th of July weekend at the USAT Nationals. This tournament will allow Ms. Lauricella to qualify for a spot on the USAT National team. We wish her the best of luck, and hope to place another of our MuSool Students on a Nationally Qualified Team.

MuSool Academy Prepares for AAU Nationals

The MuSool TaeKwonDo Team will leave for the AAU National and Jr. Nationals in Ft. Lauderdale on Monday, June 29th. The seven member team will compete on Tuesday through Thursday trying to receive national ranking. MuSool Black Belts Jackie Lauricella and Gus Ben-Hamo will be defending their Gold Medals.

Jackie Lauricella, Jason Midyette and Gus Ben-Hamo will all have opportunity to go to the National Team Trials and make the AAU National Team if they place in the top 4. Jesse Midyette will make the newly formed Cadet Team if he places gold in his division.

Red Belts Bo Godawa, Josh Godawa and Isabelle Kiester will have the chance that they are ranked in the United States.

Good Luck to all the Athletes that will be competing at this event.

Team MuSool's Schedule for AAU Nationals

Monday, June 29th

Coaches Meeting @ 1pm. Coach Shelby Creech will attend
Jackie, Jason and Gus needs to pick up credentials by 3pm
Team Meeting @ 530pm

Tuesday June 30th

Breakfast @ 730am
All team members need to be at tournament by 830am for competition.
Isabelle will need to weigh in by noon.
Team debriefing and training at 630pm.

Wednesday, July 1st

Breakfast @ 730am
All team members need to be at tournament by 830am for competition.
Jesse, Bo and Josh will need to weigh in by noon.
Team debriefing and training at 6pm.
Pizza party @ 7pm

Thursday, July 2nd

Breakfast @ 730am
All team members need to be at tournament by 830am for competition.

All team members will need the following:
Team Warm-ups
Training attire
Two (2) white uniforms
TaeKwonDo Belt
Towel

Two (2) Mouth Pieces
Shin/Instep Protector
Forearm Protector
Chest protector
Head gear (with no rips in it)
Tape
All finger nails and toe nails should be trimmed prior to fight day
All adults will need a valid Florida ID to get into the complex where the tournament is being held.

MuSool TaeKwonDo Team Check-in Times and Dates for AAU Nationals

Here is the check-in schedule for AAU nationals in Ft. Lauderdale.
Note the check-in times if you are driving up the same day, normal drive times are at least 3.5 hours.

2009 National AAU Taekwondo Championship
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Competitor Check-In and Weigh-In Schedule
COMPETITION GROUP CHECK-IN/WEIGH-IN CHECK-IN/WEIGH-IN CHECK-IN/WEIGH-IN COMPETITION COMPETITION COMPETITION
DATE TIMES LOCATION DATE TIMES LOCATION
Olympic Sparring Competitors
All 14 year old and older Black Mon/June 29 8 AM - 3 PM Convention Center Tues/June 30 9 AM - 6 PM Halls C & D
Belts Only HALL B

5-13 Yr. Old Color Belts Tues/June 30 8 AM – NOON HALL B Wed/July 1 9 AM - 7 PM Halls C & D

5-13 Yr. Olds Black Belts Wed/July 1 8 AM – NOON HALL B Thurs/July 2 9 AM - 6 PM Halls C & D
and 14 year old and older
Color Belts

**All competition finishing times are somewhat tentative and will depend entirely on the
number of athletes participating in each of the respective categories.
**Staging times for competition will be available at Check-In/Weigh-In
***Please consult with our website, http://www.aautaekwondo.org/ , for changes to this schedule

Clinics, Coaches and Officials Schedule
Coaches DATE TIMES LOCATION
Credential Pick-Up Only Mon/June 29 8 AM - 3 PM Conv. Ctr. Hall B
Tues -Fri/June 30-July 3 8 AM – Noon Conv. Ctr. Hall B
Coach's Information Meetings Mon/June 29 1 - 2 PM Conv. Ctr. Hall B
(Attendance is Optional) Fri/July 3 7 - 8 PM Conv. Ctr. Hall B

Chuck Moore off to Forms Seminar in Pennsylvania

MuSool Black Belt Chuck Moore will be attending a Forms (Poomse) Seminar in Norristown, Pennsylvania on June 20th. The eight hour seminar is sectioned by USA TaeKwonDo to teach referees and coaches on how forms are judged at USAT events. Instructor Moore is head of the TaeKwonDo program at MuSool Academy.

AAU and USAT Updates for the MuSool TaeKwonDo Team

2009 AAU Taekwondo National Championships

Ft. Lauderdale, Fl

June 29 - July 4, 2009

This years Nationals will introduce the following:
Athlete's Party
New Cadet Team
Expansion of the Coaching Staff
New Policy for 17 Year Old Juniors Wishing to Try for AAU Team
For information on these new additions to the AAU Nationals and more...

Click Here

2009 USAT Jr. Olympics and US Nationals

Austin TX

June 30 - July 6, 2009

The USAT has published the new Athletes Handbook for their Championships as well.

Junior Olympics Athlete Handbook
National Championships Athlete Handbook

Members from the MuSool TaeKwonDo Team will be competing at both events. All results will be posted on this website.

MuSool Black Belts Win at Sunshine State Games

Lakeland, FL. The two captains from the MuSool TaeKwonDo Competition Team competed at the 30th Annual Sunshine State Games on Saturday, June 13th. Jason Midyette sparred in the 14 to 17 year old black belt division placing gold after defeating his first opponent 13 to 10 and his second opponent 8 to 1.

Jackie Lauricella sparred in the 18 to 32 year old division but no one was in the welter weight division so she moved up to heavy weight division to win gold winning her two fights by the 7 point rule (9 to 2 and 8 to 1). She then moved down to the light weight division where she placed gold once again winning her fight in the first round 9 to 2.

Both players may now move to the next level and compete at the State Games of America in August in San Diego. This was a great warm up tournament for the National Events coming up at the end of June and beginning of July as well. The next tournament that the team competes in is the AAU Nationals.