Paks Ponte Vedra’s competition team competed in three tournaments this year, winning a combined total of 21 awards in forms and sparring competitions. Those wins consisted of 16 first place awards, three second place awards and two third place awards.
Competing on this year’s team were Danielle Vogt, Breanne Beaver, Reid Norteman, Paden Pinder, Kayla Shreve, Morgan Shreve, Seth Relampagos, Erin Orlando, Ethan Orlando, Caleb Hobbs, Bryce Walker, Grayson Rigby, Jayden Sennholtz, and Dominic Tindall.
“It is so rewarding watching and coaching a student during a competition,” said instructor Bill DeGrafft. “Seeing the focus, nerves and perseverance as they go through their rounds is inspiring. Seeing the happiness in their faces when they finish their competition is one of the greatest feelings in the world.
“While we know that each competitor has his or her eyes on the ultimate prize, we put our focus on the sense of camaraderie of the competitors,” he continued. “(We focus) on the fact that they are doing something that few people dream of doing, much less attempting it.”
