USJA National Team Championships
November 2, 2002
Bristol, Connecticut

Men's Team 

First Place: NYSJI Team
66kg -     Ali Baker,                            Kyushu Judo
73kg -     Alishia Mukhtarov,              Spartak
81kg -     Mansur Jumaev,                  Spartak
90kg -     Dariusz Mikolagczak,          Starrett
100kg -   Dennis Utkin,                      Starrett
+100kg - Victor Podgorbunskiy,        Spartek
Coaches - Arkadiy Aronov,               Spartak
                 Billy Martin,                      Kyushu Judo

Second Place: New York Athletic Club

Third Place: Connecticut Team 1

In the Final between NYSJI and the NYAC the score was:
NYSJI - 4 wins, NYAC - 1 win and one draw

Bristol, CT. – USJA Women’s National Team Championship

Saturday, November 2, 2002 in Bristol, CT the three-woman team, named Tohoku Judo America took the Senior Team Championship by winning 8 of their 9 matches.  The team members were:

Heather Swett, age 15,
Taylor Middendorf, age 21,
Nina Cutro-Kelly, age 17, 140+

This annual event, organized by Sid Kelly, included a women’s team for the first time.  The winners were a very young team, sponsored by Tohoku Judo Club of Massachusetts, and coached Jim Hrbek from Judo America of New York.  The 3 ladies have worked out together and traveled together on various occasions, but this was their first joint venture—enjoying the camaraderie and competition, they brought home gold medals, a Team Championship Cup and split a winning prize of $500.

Heather, Taylor & Nina would like to thank Sid Kelly for putting together this fun event and Jim Hrbek for coaching them to the GOLD!

Pictured:  (left to right)  Heather Swett, Coach Hrbek, Taylor Middendorf, Nina Cutro-Kelly