Steele team wins tourney
Tough opponents from across the southeast and midwest competed in the tournament, making winning gold even more difficult.
Young black belt instructor and competitor James O. Morgan led the way for GSKS, with a first-place win in black belt forms and third place in black belt weapons.
Other winners included Roy Tucker, who took second in forms and third in fighting, Aaron Thomas, second in black belt fighting; Shelby Boyd, second in fighting; and Josh Powers and Ken Sydenstricker, who both finished second in forms. Sydenstricker added a fourth-place finish in fighting.
Michael Thrower and Kacie Goodson finished third and fourth in their respective divisions in fighting, to add to the team’s successful overall finish.
• Two local GSKS students have bee promoted to the exclusive rank of black belt in karate.
Caleb Barnes, 10, and Jeremy Sanders, 22, were both tested Feb. 24 at Nashville before a board of high-ranking black belt judges.
Both showed high proficiency in fitness, discipline and self defense skills, and were promoted to first-degree black belt status.
Both Barnes and Sanders have decided to continue their martial arts training to earn a higher degree at GSKS.