Team
Taekwondo Earns First Two Team USA Medals of Universiade
The first two days of taekwondo competition at the 2017 Summer World University Games (Universiade) finished with two medals for Team USA. On day one, Edward Jeong (University of Bridgeport) earned a silver medal in male individual poomsae, and Adalis “AJ” Munoz (Tarrant County College) earned a bronze medal. The medals were the first among all sports for Team USA at the Universiade. In this year’s new format, athletes had to perform one recognized poomsae and one freestyle poomsae in the final round.
On day two, the team continued its strong performance with all divisions reaching the final (top 8) round in deep fields. The men’s team of Jeong, Albert Jong (San Jose State University) and Kody Han (University of California, Berkeley) earned close 5th place, missing the podium by a score of just 0.01. Kelsey Ha (Evergreen Valley College) and Jong also finished in 5th place. The female team of Christina Castillo (Austin Community College), Samery Moras (Utah Valley University) and Munoz finished in 7th place on the back of a strong performance. Said head poomsae coach Long Nguyen, “Everyone left everything on the mat but most importantly, we represented Team USA in the best manner possible.”
The next 5 days of competition will feature sparring competition from 16 USA athletes.
Team USA Departs to Taipei for Summer World University Games
The National Collegiate Taekwondo Association (NCTA) is fielding 22 athletes for Team USA at the 2017 Summer World University Games (Summer Universiade) in Taipei, Taiwan. The NCTA president is Dr. Russell Ahn, who is also serving as the International Sports University Federation (FISU) delegate for taekwondo at the event. The team will participate in opening ceremonies on August 19, followed by 7 days of competition from August 20-26.
The first two days of competition will feature poomsae, or forms competition. The poomsae events will be contested according to a new format that required contestants to perform both recognized poomsae as well as freestyle poomsae in the final round. Representing Team USA in poomsae at the 2017 Summer Universiade will be Adalis “A.J.” Munoz (Tarrant County College) in the Female Individual category, Edward Jeong (University of Bridgeport) in the Male Individual Category, Albert Jong (San Jose State University) and Kelsey Ha (Evergreen Valley College) in the Mixed Pair Category, Munoz, Samery Moras (Utah Valley University) and Christina Castillo (Austin Community College) in the Female Team category, and Jeong, Jong and Kody Han (University of California, Berkeley) in the Male Team category.
Returning poomsae members to the poomsae team are Edward Jeong, Albert Jong, Kelsey Ha and Kody Han. Samery Moras was a former member of the sparring team as well.
Over the next four days, individual sparring competition will be contested, with four athletes competing each day. Individual sparring will be followed one day of male and female team sparring.
Our women’s sparring team for the 2017 Summer Universiade will be Alondra Venegas (-46 kg, DePaul University), Jancee Ro (-49kg, Polk State University), Aziza Chambers (-53kg, Barry University), Abbey Ardiana (-57kg, Utah Valley University), Makayla Gorka (-62kg, University of Central Oklahoma), Kendall Yount (-67kg, Centre College), Madelynn Gorman-Shore (-73kg, Arapahoe Community College), and Morgan McGarvey (+73kg, Northeast Iowa Community College).
The men’s sparring team at the 2017 Summer Universiade are comprised of David J. Kim (-54kg, Pikes Peak Community College), Isaac Weintraub (-58kg, University of Central Oklahoma), (-63kg, George El-Chemali (Sierra College), William Jackson (-68kg, University of Texas, Dallas), Jaysen Ishida (-74kg, University of Hawaii, Manoa), Connor Wilson (-80kg, University of California, Los Angeles), Drew Thompson (-87kg, Washington State University), and Jonathan Healy (+87kg, Liberty University).
Returning members to the sparring team include Aziza Chambers (2011 bronze medalist), William Jackson (2015 bronze medalist), Jayson Ishida and Jonathan Healy.
The team leader is Wonro Lee, the male team director is Jinseob Kim, the female team director is Sanghee Kim, and the team manager is Rex Hatfield. The sparring coaches are head coach Changwon Choi, Jacky Baik, Christina Bayley and Steven Rosbarsky. The poomsae coaches are head coach Long Nguyen and Haksung Kim. The team doctor is Sherri Lashomb.
The USA referees appointed to work the event are Raymond Hsu and Jaime Schulte.
NCTA Sends Team to Taekwondowon in Muju, Korea
The NCTA sent a team of thirteen athletes to the Taekwondowon Park in Muju, South Korea on July 2, 2017 for a 7-day training camp. The athletes are training with members of the Korean University Sparring Team under top collegiate Korean coaches. The athletes are training every day, twice per day with their Korean counterparts. Many of the athletes are preparing for the Summer World University Games this August in Taipei, Chinese Taipei. This trip was made possible through collaboration with the Korean University Taekwondo Federation (KUTF).
Athletes on the trip include the following 2017 National Collegiate Team Members, 2017 National Collegiate Team Alternates, and 2016 National Collegiate Champions: Zachery Budde, Rae Drach, Anja Gardziola, Makayla Gorka, Amanda Gotschall, David Kim, Morgan McGarvey, Joseph Ong, Andrew “Drew” Pluemer, Blanca “Jenny” Quezada, Philip “Vincie” Ripepi, Alondra Venegas and Isaac Weintraub.
The team leader for the trip is NCTA President, Dr. Russell Ahn. The team director is Jin Kim. The coaches are Christina Bayley and Jacky Baik. The Team Doctor and Manager for the trip is Dr. Sherri Lashomb.
The NCTA would like to specially thank James Kim of Mooto USA for his generous sponsorship of the team jackets and T-shirts.
Jackie Galloway Earns Bronze at 2016 Rio Olympic Games
10 years
The NCTA would like to congratulate former US National Collegiate Team member Jackie Galloway on her bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. She advanced over Puerto Rico and Netherlands to reach the semifinals, where she had a very close loss to Mexico. In the repechage, she scored a decisive win over France to win the bronze medal! You can see her medal-winning moment at the NBC Olympics website:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/jackie-galloway-wins-taekwondo-bronze.
The NCTA would also like to congratulate the other USA Olympians, including former collegiate team member Stephen Lambdin, as well as Steven Lopez and Paige McPherson. The collegiate taekwondo community was cheering you on all the way and was proud of how you performed!
NCTA Announcement Regarding Gina-Louise Williams
The NCTA is saddened and heartbroken to learn of the passing of Gina-Louise Williams, 2013 National Collegiate Team member. Gina was an outstanding athlete and exemplified what a good teammate should be. She represented her country in outstanding way and made many deep friendships throughout her competitive career. Those that knew her will always remember her fun personality and infectious laughter. The NCTA members and officers express their condolences to her family and friends.
