Excel Martial Arts held its spring belt testing on Apr. 28, and it was a big one. Forty-three students tested successfully for various belt levels – 14 of them black belts.
Says instructor Kelli Hartman: “A rigorous day of testing for all students included patterns, self-defense, board breaks, in addition to brick breaks for black belt tests.”
Earning their yellow stripe belts in the Ninja Program were Ben McConnell, Jenna Bolan, Mason Sand and Maurice ‘MJ’ Paguirigan.
Yellow belt recipients in the Mach I Program were Ashley Whitford, Hunter Lacombe, Paige Lindberg, Quentin Lindberg and Shae-Lynn Roy.
Mach II and Mach III Program students receiving green belts were Garrett Meyer, Jeff Bias, Jodie Robinson and Kate Walterhouse. Blue belt recipients were Andrew Jacobsen, Ducati Manning, Karly Walker, Nathaniel Stretch, Shayla Bolan and Tucker Manning. Jay Gable, Lonnie Brost and Sharla Simpson earned their red belts, while Nikki Richardson received her green stripe belt.
In the Junior Black Belt category, Kenny Ward-Zachow, Lauren Pollard, Mathew Nonay, Shane Parent, Taya Hunwick, Tori Hunwick and Anjella Fremit all tested successfully for their First Poom black belts. Kyffer Cole received his Second Poom black belt.
In the Adult Program, Beverly Stretch, Joanne Manning, Robert Manning and William Stretch earned their blue stripe belts. Lausanne Cole earned her red belt.
Devon Simpson, Evan Cole and Wenonah Pollard tested successfully for their First Dan black belts. Larree Hunwick earned her Second Dan black belt, Kelli Hartman earned her Third Dan black belt and Stuart Hartman earned his Fifth Dan black belt.
The club held its annual awards banquet following the testing. Shae-Lynn Roy was named rookie of the year, Taya Hunwick received a citizenship award, Devon Simpson was named the outstanding adult student and Shayla Bolan was named student of the year.
In addition, Nikki Richardson and Nathaniel Stretch were recognized for perfect attendance for two and three years straight, respectively.

Copyright © 2000 The Lakeside Leader. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster