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2009 Scholastic National Judo Championships
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(L-R) Kaelin O’Sullivan, Casey Pedro, AJ Pedro, Megan Arena, Ricky Pedro, Olivia Winsor, and Jimmy Pedro
Pedro's Judo Center wins 6 Scholastic National Medals
York, Pennsylvania: Pedro's Judo Center in Wakefield sent 6 athletes to compete in the Scholastic National Championships over the weekend at the Toyota Arena in the York Expo Center.
The Scholastic Nationals are a USA Judo "Double Point" tournament, which means that athletes placing in the event earn a high ranking on the United States Junior Judo rosters.
PJC athletes were one of the most successful teams at the event with each of the 6 athletes winning a medal including 4 gold.
Leading the way for the PJC athletes was 12 year old Olivia Winsor. Winsor, who is a student at Lynnfield Middle School went, 3-0 in the 11-12 yr old 53kg division. Olivia clinched the gold medal by defeating Wilessa Rivera of Rhode Island who had previously defeated her twice in a warm up tournament for this event a week ago. Olivia also had wins over players from Pennsylvania and Illinois. Olivia is ranked #3 in the United States in her age and weight division.
AJ Pedro won his first Scholastic National title going 2-0 in the boys 11-12 yr old 48kg division. AJ fought one of the most exciting matches of the tournament when his gold medal match with Nicholas Pavlov (NY) was tied after regulation time and went into sudden death overtime. During the 2 minute overtime neither player was able to produce a score but Pedro was the aggressor of the two and was awarded the referees decision after a hard fought match. AJ is a student at Comprehensive Grammar School. Due to his result he has earned the #1 ranking in the United States.
Kaelin O'Sullivan turned in her best performance to date going 2-0 in the girls 9-10 yr old +48kg division to win her first ever gold medal. O'Sullivan has been doing Judo for 1 year and like AJ Pedro she is also now ranked #1 in the United States Junior National roster. Kaelin is a 4th grader at Marblehead Community Charter Public School.
14 yr old Meghan Arena, who is a student at Andrews Middle School, easily won gold in the 13-14 yr old 64kg division. Meghan is ranked #1 in the United States also and is one of the most talented young up and coming teenagers in USA Judo. Meghan went 2-0 and won both of her matches in less than 1 minute.
12 year old Casey Pedro turned in a solid performance going 2-1 in the girls 13-14 yr old 58kg division. Casey bounced back from a heart breaking split decision first round loss to 14 year old Lauren Baez (FL) to easily win her next two matches and place second. Casey, who is a student at Comprehensive Grammar School, is now ranked # 2 in her division.
Rounding out the medal count for PJC was 9 year old Ricky Pedro who had 5 matches on the day going 3-2 to win bronze in the boys 9-10 yr old 30kg division. Ricky is a student at Comprehensive Grammar School. Rickey battled hard all day long to earn his United States ranking of #5.
All 6 Pedro's Judo Center athletes earned their Academic All American status at the event.
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