14 Amber Adds to Open Haul
Congratulations to 14 Amber for earning a bid to this summer's JO's in the Open division! It was no easy task to reach the medal stand for the team, which was involved in a tie each day in pool. On day 1, Amber won their pool after beating the #1 team in the tournament in a three-set match. There were three teams in their pool with 2-1 records but Amber won based on their match record. On day 2, the team was 1-2, along with two other teams (including Colorado Juniors 14 Rey). Amber finished second, beating both CJ's and another team in back to back in single-set playoffs, allowing them to stay in contention for a medal and a bid on day 3. Sunday morning's Gold pool saw Amber finish third by winning the head-to-head tie break against NKYVC, the team Amber had beaten in pool.
Amber joins 16 Blue and 18 Black in qualifying for the Open division of this summer's JO's. Only four teams in the Rocky Mountain Region have qualified in the Open division this year and three of those teams are from Front Range! Front Range is no stranger to the Open division, with Blue qualifying in Open for the ninth straight year and Black qualifying in Open for the tenth straight year. Amber has qualified for 14 Open in five of the last seven years. Congratulations and good luck to all three of our Open-qualified teams!
Northern Lights 2
Here are the finishes from last weekend's edition of Northern Lights. Special commendation to 14 Amber for their bronze medals AND for earning a bid to JO's in 14 Open. We are proud of all of our teams! See complete results here.
White: Coaches Michelle and Emilee Hoffner
|
19th in 15 Open |
Cardinal: Coach Dave Youngblood |
44th in 15 Club |
Navy: Coach Aaron Shepardson |
21st in 15 Club |
Amber: Coach Shawn Kissman
|
3rd in 14 Open |
Royal: Coach Sasha Kissman
|
61st in 14 Club |
A reminder to all of you shutterbugs out there that picture submissions are always welcome for use in future newsletters as well as for use in the banquet slide show. Please email pictures to eduardo@frvbc.com or bring a CD-ROM with pictures to Eduardo at Front Range. Thanks!
Front Range Banquet
As if the qualifier season didn't fly by fast enough, it is time to start thinking about the 2008 Front Range Banquet. Please see our Banquet page (http://www.frvbc.com/club/banquet2008.html) on our website for details.
100 Days Countdown for Beijing
Today marks the 100-day mark in the countdown to the Beijing Olympics. The day is being commemorated by several events.
The Tonight Show
This evening’s broadcast of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (Tuesday, April 29), will welcome U.S. Olympic taekwondo athletes Steven, Mark and Diana Lopez. On April 5, the trio became the first three siblings to make the U.S. Olympic Team since 1904. They will be coached in Beijing by their eldest brother, Jean Lopez, a former world-class taekwondo athlete.
Hilton’s Month-Long Kids Initiative
In celebration of the 100 Day Countdown, The Hilton Family of Hotels will unveil a new children’s book inspired by the Olympic Ideals. A portion of the book's proceeds will benefit the U.S. Paralympic Team. Throughout the eight-city tour, athletes from numerous sports will read the book aloud and then lead a discussion and share their own personal stories. Hotel team members will also help kids complete their own hospitable gestures – good luck cards that will be presented to U.S. Olympians and Paralympians upon their departure for Beijing.
Beijing Organizing Committee
The Beijing Organizing Committee for the XXIX Olympiad has numerous activities planned for the 100 Day Countdown. A three-hour celebration will take place in the Forbidden City, featuring the debut of the Olympic theme song “Beijing Welcomes You.”
Olympic Week in America
Olympic Week in America 2008 takes place May 5-9. This USOC Education program provides a comprehensive week-long unit of lesson plans related to the Olympic Games that focuses on the positive messages associated with the Olympic Ideals and Values. This year’s materials place a strong emphasis on Beijing, and the program has been expanded to grades kindergarten through 8. Materials are free to educators by accessing them at www.usolympicteam.com.
And Now For Something Completely Different...
Remember that camp information is now available online here. See the camp calendar here. Mountain Division camps will be posted in the next week.
