12 local martial arts students shine at
Nationals
Twelve students of Shaolin Kempo Studios of Self Defense, Rockford,
traveled to Georgetown, Ky., April 17 to compete in the National
Tournament for martial arts. The students range in age from 9 years to
“over 50” and include a school teacher, a tattoo artist and an
electrician. All gave an exceptional effort and performance in sparring
and forms competition and proudly represented the Rockford studio. All
the instructors of Shaolin Kempo Studios of Rockford congratulate and
commend the competitors. Shaolin Kempo Studios of Self Defense is
celebrating its 10th anniversary. The studio teaches Kempo-kung fu,
karate and jiu-jitsu.Shaolin Kempo students pictured are: Front row: Dorian Jones, 10,
student, Whitehead, Yellow-Orange Div. 1st Sparring, 3rd Forms; Ben
Lash, 9, student, Blue belt Youth, 4th Sparring; Cody Ahrens, 12,
student, Alpine Academy, Black belt junior, 1st Sparring, 2nd Forms, 1st
Weapons; David Lillegaard, instructor; Nathan Webster, 9, student
Freeport, Ill., Green/Brown Youth, 2nd Sparring; Zach Rooker, 8,
student, Rolling Green, Yellow/Orange, 2nd Sparring, 3rd Forms; Seth
Rooker, 11, student, Flynn, Yellow/Orange, 1st Sparring. Back row:
Jameel Granberry, 20, student, Rock Valley College, Brown, Adult, 3rd
Sparring, 3rd Forms; Andrew Stickler, adult, tattoo artist,
Yellow/Orange, 3rd Sparring, 2nd Forms; Nathan Mallow, 23, student, NIU,
Black belt, Adult, 2nd Forms, 3rd Weapons; Jeff Lash, adult school
administrator, Blue/Green, Adult, 3rd Sparring; Bobby Lawson, adult,
electrician, Black belt, Adult, 1st Sparring, 1st Forms, 1st Weapons;
Dante Jones, 12, student, Flynn, Blue belt, 1st Forms, 3rd Sparring.