Taekwondo is a Varsity Letter Sport in MCPS

On February 8th at the MCPS Public School Board meeting (video) after months of meetings and reworking the proposal TKD gained Varsity Letter status in Missoula County Public School.  Students from Hellgate, Big Sky, Sentinel and Seeley have the opportunity to receive a Letter as recognition for their achievement in TKD.
We worked hard to achieve this for our students and future Taekwondoists with the primary motivation being to give all of our student athletes the opportunity for positive recognition among their peers.

In addition to the MCPS standard requirements related to grades, code of conduct and obtaining a physical...

the TKD specific requirements are:
1.      A student must be a USA TKD member.
2.      A student must attain a 2nd Geup Red Belt or higher and compete as such.
3.      A student must maintain (and document) an average of 5 hours per week of instruction, condition and practice for 50 weeks of the year.
4.      A student must compete in at least 1 MTA sanctioned tournament during the year.
5.      A student must be financially responsible for all competition entry fees and costs associated with travel.

Participant from any TKD Club may letter as long as their club adheres to the guidelines set forth.  Including necessary equipment, insurance, Kukkiwon certified instructors, and a Booster Club.

We laid out these requirements to ensure we are recognizing the truly outstanding student athletes who dedicate their hearts to their journey in the martial arts.  These requirements will allow all of our committed students to be recognized for their achievement not just a select few who make the varsity team.

from the desk of Mrs. Rosbarsky

Spring Break and Other Missed Classes

This year MTC’s Spring Break will fall on April 4th-8th. (We follow the MCPS holiday schedule.) We have learned that to develop well rounded martial artists and people it is important to support individual family development. We feel this is, in part accomplished by utilizing the holidays for family togetherness and self rejuvenation.  In times, though, when on misses classes because of illness or a conflict our recommendation is to make up the missed class(es) within the month of the miss with a comparable class ( one of the same or similar level on a different day or one of a different level on the same day.)

Mrs. Rosbarsky is happy to help find the correct substitute class.

The Case for Tournaments

In our daily TKD lives we come to class, we learn and practice new and familiar techniques, we interact with our classmates and go home.  This level of experience is enriching to the participant in proportion to what they put in it—in other words, You get our what you put in. If the same individual decides to put themselves on the line by participating in a tournament, they will feel a greater sense of urgency to:

(1.) Know their form as well as they possibly can and 

(2.) Be comfortable with a varied set of tools and circumstances in the sparring arena.  

In short, one will need to step up their game to prepare for a tournament.  In so doing , they will enhance their knowledge (mental), spend more time interacting with their fellow martial artists (emotional) and develop a greater skill level (physical); all with the tools which are currently available to them which weren’t fully utilized before.  One may ask, “Couldn’t someone experience this without committing to a tournament?” and, yes, that may be the case, however, one will be far more successful in having a meaningful TKD experience if they incorporate a tangible goal—like medaling or participating in a tournament.

Then come the benefits of the actual tournament participation.  Aside from the obvious attainment of a medal or trophy, one will surely be rewarded with the self confidence that comes from preparing for a challenge and meeting it head on.  There is also a great social side effect of becoming familiar with a grander picture of martial artists all across our state, country and world who, for the most part, do what we do at MTC, train to be the best possible martial artist and person they each can possibly be.

So, decide, train, participate and grow.

Spring Tournaments

Good experiences can be found at Montana tournaments throughout the Spring. We recommend: Philipsburg on March 19th, The Great Falls Tournament on Aprils 9th, The Billings Tournament on April 9th, the Livingston Tournament on April 30th and The Montana State Championships in Belgrade on May 21st.  When registration forms and other information are available for these events they will be tacked to the bulletin board (and available online to print).
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Some reminders about tournaments:

• Secure gear to use in advance. Most items are in stock at MTC but some items may need to be ordered so place orders 2 weeks in advance.

• A little preparation will provide the best chance of a positive, meaningful, fun experience. Practice your Poomse at home. Attend Sparring class. Get good sleep, eat nutrient rich foods, stay hydrated and be “in the moment” while training and on competition day.

• The Great Falls, Livingston and Belgrade tournaments will fill the Varsity Letter requirements for MCPS high schoolers.

MTC Black Belt Test on April 2nd

This years’ candidates are: Glenn Parks, 5th Dan; Kyle Hammond, 3rd Dan; Paul Befumo, 2nd Dan; Amanda Rosbarsky, 2nd Dan; Ryan Watson, 2nd Dan; Kara Hunton, 2nd Dan; Abbey Ardiana, 2nd Dan; Jeremy Malli, 1st Dan, Wayne Kruse, 1st Dan; Shibu Arens, 1st Dan; Michael Graef, 1st Dan; David Hook, 1st Dan; Jared Knutson, 1st Poom; Dalton Thick 1st Poom; and Dylan Ardiana, 1st Poom.

The test will be 10AM-6PM and will include testing in all areas of TKD as well as Judo and Hapkido basics which make up our curriculum.  There will also be board breaking by each candidate.

Spectators are welcome.  We encourage any interested students to come watch any portion of the test.  Students can get a feel for what they may be in for.

MTC National Team

Congratulations to this year’s team planning to travel to San Jose to compete in USAT Junior Olympics and Senior Nationals.  They are: Lydia Rosbarsky, Hunter Goodman, Scott Graham, Austin Graef, Abbey Ardiana, Dylan Ardiana, Jeff Quackenbush, Taiga Gamell, Claire Zellmer, and Ryan Cagle.

The team has begun training and qualified at the MT State Qualifier February 26th.  Most of them are off to San Diego in March to compete at on of 3 USAT Regional Qualifiers which will give them some more experience with the Lajust Electronic Hogu and give them the opportunity to gain a seeded spot at the national events.  More updates will follow.