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.