Caledonia Karate Students Win in Rochester and Buffalo

   Students from Premier Martial Arts International (PMAI) in Caledonia, NY, have been winning at home and on the road this year.

   To start things off, Team PMAI, the competition team from the school, won the Team Cup sparring contest at the Upstate Open in Rochester, N.Y. on April 25, 2008. They'll defend their title this summer at the Empire Open in Syracuse, N.Y.

   Individual students took home top awards in multiple categories on April 26 at the same tournament. Grand Champion honors went to: Drew Gunn (18 and over black belt), Rachel Casacelli (13-17 all under belts), and Daniel McCabe (12 and under intermediate under belt).

   Other divisions and winners: Drew Gunn 1st in sparring, Vance Puffer 3rd in sparring, 3rd traditional form; Emily Puffer 1st sparring, 3rd weapons, 3rd traditional form; Jake Gunn 1st open forms, 1st musical form, 1st weapons, 1st sparring, 2nd traditional form; Rachel Casacelli 1st open form, 1st self defense, 1st weapons, 1st sparring, 1st traditional form; Tyler Platten 1st sparring, 2nd open form, 4th weapons; Shawn Puffer 1st open form, 1st sparring, 3rd weapons; Daniel McCabe 1st open form, 1st sparring, 4th weapons; Halle Platten 2nd open form, 2nd sparring, finalist weapons; Jerimiah Baisley 1st sparring, 4th open form; Donald Amorese 1st open form, 2nd sparring; Gary Grattan 3rd continuous sparring; James Baisley 2nd open form, 3rd sparring; Jacque Simmons 1st open form, 2nd sparring; Katie Hoag 1st open form, 3rd sparring.

   At the May Moon tournament on May 17 in Buffalo, N.Y., the students amassed a total of 33 trophies, including 15 first places. In addition, Rachel Casacelli (advanced) and Daniel McCabe (intermediate) took home the Grand Champion trophies for their age classes.

   Winners were: Drew Gunn 1st sparring, 2nd traditional form, 2nd weapons; Jake Gunn 1st musical form, 1st weapons, 1st sparring, 2nd traditional form; Rachel Casacelli 1st open form, 1st self defense, 1st weapons, 1st sparring, 1st traditional form; Tyler Platten 2nd open form, 2nd weapons, 2nd sparring; Sharon Driscoll 3rd open form, 3rd sparring, 3rd weapons; Daniel McCabe 1st traditional form, 1st sparring, 3rd weapons; Donald Amorese 1st open form, 1st sparring; Jerimiah Baisley 2nd open form, 2nd sparring; Katie Hoag 1st open form, 2nd sparring; James Baisley 1st sparring, 2nd open form; Jacque Simmons 1st open form, 2nd sparring; and Cody Cesarano 2nd sparring, 4th open form.

   Premier Martial Arts International accepts students from age 4 to adult, providing instruction in karate and self-defense. For more information, contact John Gunn at 538-4163.

Premiere Martial Arts International students perform in competition.