December 2009 Testing & News

Black Belt of the Year

Kevin Konopacky, third degree black belt, was honored by the Stevens Taekwondo YMCA Academy as the Outstanding Black Belt of 2009 on Sunday. Konopacky, president of Motors and controls of Wisconsin, has been a student at the YMCA school for seven years.

Konopacky, whose children Krysti, Kolby and Kohner all earned black belts, is the second member of his family to be selected as outstandy black belt. His sister, Jill Reed, was honored in 2005.

Taekwondo is "great for the mind, body and spirit," said Konopacky, adding that "It keeps me active and off the couch."

Konopacky was nominated for the award by fellow black belts who cited his contributions in teaching taekwondo and his determination to continue his training.

The awards, a memorial to black belt M. J. Attoe, who died in a 1994 car accident, was presented by Joyce Kavalauskas, Attoe's mother.

Taekwondo Students Advance

Ten martial artists earned new or higher black belts in promotion at the YMCA on Sunday.
Kyle Mealy, Ben Nummelin and Michelle Ormund all earned the rank of third degree black belt following rigorous testing of multiple kick combinations, the taebek form and intense sparring. Each broke a board with a spinning hook speed break.

Brian Hoch, Jaclyn Schmitz, Bri Tarpey and Keisha Kavalauskas achieved full first degree black belt status in extensive testing which included performing koryo and four taegeuk forms, advanced kick combinations, sparring and a thorough oral examination on the history, tenets and rules of taekwondo. Hoch broke his board with a back spinning side kick, while Schmitz snapped hers with a back spinning outside crescent kick. Tarpey used a 360-side kick for her break and Kavalauskas broke with a jumping back side kick.

Katie Rischar, Lauren Shimulunas and Sara Shuler entered black belt ranks as deputy black belts, following their demonstration of five taegeuk forms, kick combinations and sparring. Rischar broke a board with an autobahn back spinning side kick. Shimulunas used a switching front kick to break a board above her head, and Shuler snapped a board cleanly with a back spinning side kick.

Two students from the more than 70 color belts who tested were awarded trophies for excellence. Kimberly Richarson won first place as she double-tested for her high white and yellow belt, and high green belt Max Malek earned second place.

Granmaster Dwight Stevens was assisted in judging the testing by senior masters Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich.

Christmas Party

More than 50 black belts and family members gathered at the Boston School Forest Saturday for a very convivial party with great food and time to chat and socialize. This year, one pinata was the target of Black Belts: The Next Generation, as the very young children showed great persistance in kicking until the candy was released. The second pinata was speedily dealt with by the third blindfolded kicker, Dylan Regnitz.

Doctor Stevens thanked everyone for the combined gifts, a certificate for five massages at Lotus Healing Arts, a copy of Family Power about the Lopez family, and deer whistles, given in hopes that 2010 will bring fewer contacts between whitetails and Dr. Stevens' car.

Black Belt News

Mandi Hoppa is back in the area and working out with the YMCA class.

Bridgette Magno made it over from La Crosse for the black belt party.

Ben Nummelin is okay after his sparring incident.

Officer Bethany Reed was delayed en route to the party needing deal with a drunk driver. Way to go!

Stevens Taekwondo Academy Schedule

Saturday, December 12, 6 p.m. at Boston School Forest, is the annual Black Belt party

Sunday, December 13, 1 p.m. YMCA gym, belt promotion testing

The YMCA classes have a long break--no classes from the time of testing until 2010.

NOTE: Testing dates are tentative until YMCA confirms them.

2010:
Jan. 5 First class of Winter One session
Feb. 11 Last class of Winter One session
Feb. 14 1 p.m. belt promotion testing
NO Classes Feb. 16 & 18
Feb. 23 First class of Winter Two session
NO classes Mar. 23 & 25 (UWSP break)
Apr. 8 Last class of Winter Two session
Apr. 11 1 p.m. belt promotion testing
NO classes April 12 & 15
Apr. 20 First class of Spring session
May 27 Last class of Spring session
NO classes June 1 & 3
June 8 First class of Summer session
June 13 1 p.m. belt promotion testing.

Pressure Points and Grand Champs

Pressure Points Seminar

Twists, takedowns and a few tumbles were on the agenda October 24 as more than fifty martial artists and law enforcement personnel attended a pressure points and hapkido seminar at the Stevens Taekwondo Academy.

Dr. Dwight Stevens, a certified instructor in the INAYAN Pressure Sensitive Nerve Areas techniques, began by reminding participants that "Everyone has the right to be safe."

Pressure points can be used to control opponents and defend oneself, said Stevens, as he demonstrated the specific areas which can be accessed for control. Student located the pressure sensitive areas and preacticed each technique.

Guest instructor Fred Carsky, Wauwatosa police detective, taught hapkido moves which can be used to control, gain leverage and subdue aggressive opponents.

Participants came from all areas of the state for the seminar, including Milwukee, Eau Claire, the UW-Stevens Point taekwondo program and the Stevens Taekwondo Academy schools in Stevens Point, the Stevens Point YMCA and South Wood County YMCA.

Tournament Champions

Local martial artists fared well at the 29th Annual Mid-Wisconsin Taekwondo Championships at Midstate Technical Coole in Wisconsin Rapids, bringing back a dozen trophies and grand championship trophies for sparring and forms.

Second degree black belt Kyle Mealy dominated the men's black and red belt division, winning first place in board breaking by smashing two boards with a 540-degree back spinning sidekick and snappling another board with a back spinning hook speed break. Mealy won first place in the sparring for the division and then took the grand championship in sparring, plus placing third in forms competition.

Donelle Ostrowski, third degree black belt, won first place in sparring, second place in forms and earned first place in board breaking using a tornado kick, a back spinning sidekick and a palm heel hand break while doing the splits to break three boards in the women's red and black belt division.

Second degree black belt Mark Stenerson took second place in forms for the men's red and black belt division.

Lauren Shimulunas, high red belt, earned third place in sparring and board breaking for the women's red and black belt division, breaking one board with a roundhouse and two boards with a spinning sidekick.

High green belt Matt Lopas excelled in forms, winning both first place in the men's blue and green belt division and the grand championship in forms. He also placed third in sparring.

Isaac Williams, green belt, swept the micro pee wee intermediate division, grabbing first place in forms, sparring and breaking, where he broke two boards using a back spinning hook and a switching axe kick.

High yellow belt Gage Goretski placed second in board breaking in the yellow and white belts mini pee wee division, breaking with a sidekick and a switching axe kick, also placing fourth in form competition.

The tournament, sponsored by Master John Crystal and the Park Institute, drew more than 75 competitors.

October Belt Promotion Testing

A record 35 white belts were among 74 testing successfully for taekwondo belt promotion Sunday at the YMCA.

Stephen Decker earned the rank of third degree black belt with his performance of the taebek form, advanced kick combinations and sparring. He snapped a board with a spinning hook speed break. Decker is the instructor for Stevens Taekwondo Academy at the South Wood County YMCA in Port Edwards.

Mother-son duo Kim Regnitz and ten-year-old Dylan Regnitz achieved full black belt status together, successfully demonstrating koryo and four taegeuk forms, advance kicking and sparring and setting a new standard for excellence in their oral examination on the history and tenets of taekwondo. Kim broke her board with a 360 sidekick, and Dylan snapped his board with a jump spin sidekick.

Katelyn Faulks joined the black belt ranks as a deputy black belt (bo dan)with her performance of five taegeuk forms, kick combinations and sparring. Faulks cleanly broke her board on the first try with a back-spinning sidekick.

Max Pfeiffer, red belt, won first place for excellence in the color belt testing. High red belt Jody Hopp earned the second place trophy with Caleb Woods, blue belt testing for the first time with Stevens Taekwondo Academy, took home the third place trophy.

Martial artists participating in the testing train at Stevens Taekwondo Academy, Stevens Taekwondo YMCA Academy, the UW-Stevens Point taekwondo program, the UW-Stevens Point Taekwondo Club and the Stevens Taekwondo Academy at South Wood County YMCA. Testing masters were grandmaster Dwight Stevens and senior masters Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich.

BLACK BELT NEWS

A few spots are still open in the pressure points seminar October 24. Contact Dr. Stevens for details. Morning session is for junior black belts and adult color belts; afternoon is for adult black belts and law enforcement personnel.

Steve Decker, third dan black belt, is teaching taekwondo through the South Wood County YMCA in Port Edwards. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday with beginners at 6 p.m. and advanced classes at 7 p.m., so if you or friends or family live over in that direction, contact the Y and start back to training. Second dan Mark Rustad did and watched with pride as his wife Kristi tested successfully for her high white belt.

Jill Reed was surprised by a birthday gathering at Jordon Park on October 3, arranged by her daughters Stephanie and third dan Bethany. Black belts attending included Dr. Stevens, Mark and Hilde Henkel, Kim and Justin Buehler, Karrie and Jeff Lane, Kolby and Kevin Konopacky, Bethany, Stephen Decker, Tom Lisack and Haley Sankey.

Hilde Henkel taught a self defense mini-class for the YMCA’s military family support group on October 1, ably assisted by Mark Henkel.

Pressure Points & Hapkido Seminar

Dr. Dwight Stevens
Grandmaster and International Referee
INAYAN Certified PSNA Instructor
Presents a
Pressure Point/Hapkido Certification Seminar
October 24, 2009
with guest instructor Detective Fred Carsky
6th Dan TKD & Hapkido Instructor
MorningSession, 9 am to 12, colored belts 15 and older
& Black belts under 15
Afternoon Session , 1 to 4 pm, Black Belts 15 and older
& Law Enforcement Personnel
Limited Enrollment!!
Pre-registration strongly recommended
By sending Dr. Dwight Stevens
3323 Echo Dells Avenue, Stevens Point WI 54481
$25 per person &
Name, Phone number
Address, Belt level and age
Number of previous pressure point seminars attended
Name of taekwondo instructor or law enforcement agency

The seminar will be held at Stevens Taekwondo Academy
210 Isadore Street Stevens Point WI

August 2009 Testing & News

Four Stevens Taekwondo Academy students earned new or advanced black belts in testing Sunday at the YMCA.

Cory Lesperance achieved third degree black belt with his demonstration of the taebek form, advanced kick combinations and a spinning hook speed break. Lesperance also sparred several times, showing knowledge of control and appropriate techniques for opponents of varied skills levels.

Nine-year-old Arrington Polman advanced to second degree black belt after performing the keumgang form, demonstrating kick combinations and sparring. Arrington broke his boards with a back spinning side kick and a skipping side kick.

Annika Polman and Thomas Lisack earned full first degree black belt status after oral examination on the history, tenets, symbols and goals of taekwondo, in addition to performing koryo and four taegeuk forms, sparring and kick combinations. Aniika, sponsored by her brother Arrington, broke her board with a back spinning side kick. Lisack, sponsored by assistant instructor Mark Henkel, broke with a working step back spinning side kick.

Two sisters took top honors in the color belt testing. Lydia Kelley , high green belt, won first place, with Anna Kelley, green belt, earning second place. Green belt Isaac Williams took home the third place trophy.

The testing was judged by Grandmaster Instructor Dwight Stevens and his assistant Mark Henkel.

Schedule for YMCA Classes and Testings

July 28 First class of new session

August 9 1 p.m. belt promotion test, APR at YMCA

August 13 8 p.m. make up testing, APR at YMCA

September 3 Last class of session

NO CLASSES SEPT. 8 & 10

September 15 First class of new session

September 26 NOTE NEW DATE

2009 U.S. Tournament of ChChampions , Concordia University, St. Paul, MN, To register call: 763-559-7091

October 11 1 p.m. belt promotion test, APR at YMCA

October 22 Last class of session

NO CLASSES OCT. 27 & 29

November 3 First class of new session

December 10 Last class of session

December 12 Black Belt Christmas Party (tentative)

December 13 1 p.m. belt promotion testing, gymnasium

Also, Dr. Stevens is planning a pressure point seminar, tentatively set for mid October.

Watch this site for details and date!

Black Belt News:

Senior Master James Henkel completed his doctoral work at the Medical College of Wisconsin and is now located in Silver Spring Maryland with wife Kayme. He is a postdoctoral fellow at Uniformed

Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda MD.

In addition to earning his first degree black belt, Thomas Lisack successfully defended his dissertation this spring and earned his doctorate in educational leadership.

Third degree black belt Bridgette Magno graduated from Western Technical College here in La Crosse, with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Radiography, or in simple terms, an X-ray tech.

Master Hilde Henkel taught two "Intro to Taekwondo" classes for Wood

County Extension’s “Something for Summer” in June with pleasant and eager children.

Twenty black belts attended or participated in the wedding

of Master Chelsea Lovejoy and Master Andrew Williams in July. Congratulations to the newlyweds and thanks for a wonderful occasion to gather folks together. One of the highlights of the event was the bride’s dance with her father, Master Vern Lovejoy which included a well-choreographed sparring sequence. The kung fu dancing was special too!

June Promotion Testing and News

Summer kicked off with testing and belt promotion at the YMCA for students of Stevens Taekwondo Academy.

Achieving the rank of senior master black belt with a sixth degree black belt, Bill Dragolovich demonstrated advanced board breaking with a jump back spinning axe kick and then a back spinning side kick through two boards, in addition to several demonstration kicks. Dragolovich also gave an oral presentation based on the paper he submitted, comparing taekwondo to other martial arts. He performed the jitae form. Dragolovich has trained with the Stevens Taekwondo Academy since 1986, and was named black belt of the year in 2002.

Three other martial artists entered the black belt ranks as deputy black belt with strong testing performances of five taegeuk forms, advanced kick combos and sparring. Brian Hoch shattered a board with a back spinning hook kick, Gregg Hakomaki II snapped his board with a back spinning outside crescent kick, and Bri Tarpey broke her board with an axe kick.

Three color belts received trophies for their excellent performances in the testing. High yellow belt Matt Lopez won first place, new yellow belts and father-daughter duo Mike and Alida Richards earned second and third place.

Grandmaster Dwight Stevens and assistant instructor Mark Henkel judged the testing.

Black Belt News

Mandi Hoppa stopped in at the YMCA workouts Thursday to greet old friends. Mandi is currently living in Arizona.

William Jenkins graduated this month from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis Maryland , receiving a bachelor’s degree in oceanography. He was commissioned as an ensign in the U. S. Navy. He begins studies for a masters in acoustical engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey California later this month, followed by the Navy Nuclear Power School and duty in submarines. Bill visited the YMCA workouts where he presented Dr. Stevens with a Navy cap to balance the Army cap which was part of the Christmas gifts.

Master Andrew Williams recently celebrated a bachelor gathering in Rudolph, hosted by Master John Henkel. Attending, in addition to Andrew’s brothers Dan and Mark, were Master Jim Henkel, Master Kevin Klapoetke, Master Justin Buehler and Jeff Lane. With weather ruling out volleyball, outdoor eating and paintball, the group enjoyed poker, food, movies and beverages, before touring several local beverage establishments, with the prospective groom in ball and chain.

Master Jim Henkel will be completing his defense of his doctoral research and paper in July and then moving to Bethesda, Maryland, where he will begin a research position at the Uniformed Services University.

15 Black Belts at April 2009 Testing

More than 75 martial artists showed their skills Sunday at the Stevens Point YMCA as they were tested for new belt levels. Fifteen people earned new or advanced black belts..

Teodoro Garcia and Morgan Carlton earned third degree black belts with sharp performances of the taebek form, advanced sparring and advanced kick combinations. Garcia shattered a board with a back-spinning hook speed break, and Carlton snapped his board with a back-spinning hook kick.

Ryan Franckowiak, Erin Schraufnagel, Matthew Straub and Bridget Williams all used spinning or jumping back side kicks to smash two-inch boards as they advanced to second degree black belts. The quartet also sparred, demonstrated advanced kick combinations and performed the keumgang form.

Julie Hasek, Daniel Roberson and Kim Verburgt achieved full first degree black belt levels with their performance of koryo and four taegeuk forms, kick combos and sparring. Hasek broke her board with a spinning hook kick. Roberson jumped over 4 people to break with a flying side kick, and Verburgt used an inside crescent, 360-front kick for her break. The three answered questions from black belts in an oral exam on the techniques, history, and symbols of taekwondo.

Bryant Hedrington, Keisha Kavalauskas, Sam Smith Jaclyn Schmitz and
mother-son duo Kim Regnitz and Dylan Regnitz joined the black belt ranks as deputy black belts following testing which included advanced kick combinations, sparring and performance of five taegeuk forms. Hedrington, Kavalauska, Schmitz, Kim Regnitz and Dylan Regnitz used spinning side kicks to break their boards, while Sam Smith used a flying side kick.

Green belt Kimberly Multerer won first place for excellence at testing, from more than 60 students. New blue belt Chong Chang earned second place and high red belt Bri Tarpey took the third place trophy.

The testing was judged by master instructor Dwight Stevens, Mark Henkel and Bill Dragolovich. The students participating train at Stevens YMCA Taekwondo Academy, Stevens Taekwondo Academy and the Medical College of Wisconsin taekwondo club.


Other taekwondo news:

Local martial artists competed at two tournaments in April.

Second degree black belt Ryan Franckowiak won third place in men’s black belt sparring at the 32nd Pan American Taekwondo Championships in Rochester MN earlier this month. The competition was sponsored by the Park Institute at the John Marshall High School.

Kyle Mealy, second degree black belt, won first place in karate weapons competition, second in karate sparring and forms and third place in traditional forms competition for adult black belts at the 6th Annual Capital City Classic at the Madison Sheriton Hotel.

Also at the Madison tournament, sponsored by Paiks Traditional Martial Arts, second degree black belt Mark Stenerson took second place in traditional forms and third place in sparring. In the boys/girls, 15-17 year-old black belt division, Third degree black belt Hannah Lovejoy earned second place in sparring and Ryan Zorn, second degree black belt, took third place in sparring. Matt Lopez, high white belt, earned second place in both sparring and forms for the 18 to 24 year-old men and women’s division.

The Stevens Point YMCA chose first dan black belt Leopoldo Soria as "YMCA Kid" and are featuring his story and photo at the desk---check it out it you are in town.

Second degree black belt Chris (Vicker) Strohbusch was visiting in Stevens Point, and volunteered to help type the belt certificates for more than 75 students.

February Testing 2009

Martial artists ranging from beginning white belts to master level black belts tested at the YMCA recently. More than fifty students from Stevens Taekwondo Academy schools at the YMCA, Stevens Point and Sun Prairie and the UW-Stevens Point taekwondo classes earned new ranks.

Dr. Ron Locascio earned fifth degree black belt ranking. Locascio performed the advanced sipjin form and then captured the attention of every student, black belt and spectator as he gave his oral presentation. Locascio spoke of how the taekwondo training his family had gained at the school had recently allowed his son to react and survive a life-threatening situation.

Advancing to third degree black belt, Kevin Konopacky performed advanced kick combinations and the taebek form before snapping a free-standing board with a blind back spinning knife hand.

Eight-year-old Arrington Polman earned his first degree black belt, demonstrating both skill and poise. He performed koryo and four taegeuk forms and then sparred and answered an extensive oral examination on taekwondo training, history and tenets. Arrington broke his board with a working step 360-degree side kick.

Joining her brother in the black belt ranks, Annika Polman achieved deputy black belt level. She performed rigorous kick combinations and five taegeuk forms, sparred and broke her board with a back spinning side kick.

Three of the color belt students received trophies for excellence at the testing. High green belt Thomas Lima won the first place trophy, high green belt Allison McLeod took second place and high red belt Ginny Neufeld was awarded third place.
Students attending had trained at YMCA, Stevens Point and Sun Prairie school of the Stevens Taekwondo Academy and the UW-Stevens Point taekwondo program. They were judged by Grandmaster Dwight Stevens and masters Mark Henkel, Peter Chan of Milwaukee, Bill Dragolovich and Vern Lovejoy

2009 Schedule & News

Testing and YMCA Class Schedule

Jan. 6 First YMCA class of new year
Feb. 12 Last YMCA class of session
FEB. 15 1 P.M. Belt Promotion Testing
All Purpose Room
****No YMCA classes Feb. 17 & 19****
Feb. 24 First YMCA class of new session
Make-up testing 7:45 P.M.
****No YMCA classes- spring break****
April 9 Last YMCA class of session
****No YMCA classes April 14 & 16****
April 19 1 P.M. Belt Promotion Testing
All Purpose Room
April 21 First YMCA class of new session
Make up test 7:45 P.M.
May 28 Last YMCA class of session
****No YMCA classes June 2 & 4****
June 9 First YMCA class of session
June 14 1 P.M. Belt Promotion Testing
All Purpose Room
June 18 Make up Test 7:45 P.M.
July 16 Last YMCA class of session
****No YMCA classes July 21 & 23****


Black Belt News
The prospective black belt clan has expanded:

Masters Kim and Justin Buehler welcomed second

daughter Elizabeth Grace on January 19. Congratulations!