SKC students capture 15 medals at Orangeville tourney

The Stonetown Karate Centre (SKC) had five students earn top-three finishes at the Orangeville Open Martial Arts Championship at the Athlete Institute in Mono, Ont. Nov. 16. Pictured kneeling in front is Sensei Jalyne Lorentz. In the back row, from left to right, are Shannon Campbell, Fox Houston, Morgan Houston and Marieke Van Lierop.

By Spencer Seymour

Five Stonetown Karate Centre (SKC) students combined to win 15 medals, 11 of which were golds, at the Orangeville Open Martial Arts Championship at the Athlete Institute in Mono, Ont. Nov. 16.

Sensei Jalyne Lorentz, who competed in the 15-17-year-old girls’ black belt division, captured five of the St. Marys contingent’s haul of gold medals. Lorentz took the top spot in Okinawan forms, traditional forms, traditional weapons, creative weapons and open forms. Lorentz also captured an overall division title, taking the top spot as the Overall Juniors Grand Champion.

In the 15-17 girls advanced category, Marieke Van Lierop added a pair of first-place prizes to the SKC’s cache of hardware, taking the gold in traditional kata and traditional weapons, along with a bronze medal in point sparring.

Morgan Houston won the 35+ women's intermediate group's gold medals in both traditional-kata and traditional-weapons competitions.

Shannon Campbell, competing in the 35+ women’s advanced bracket, earned the gold in traditional forms, as well as a third-place finish in the point-sparring event.

Fox Houston picked up a trio of medals, including silvers in both traditional kata and traditional weapons and a bronze in creative weapons.

Sensei Jeremy Lorentz praised his students for yet another strong slate of results.

"Despite the high level of skill and intensity, our team rose to the challenge and showed remarkable focus, sportsmanship and determination,” said Jeremy Lorentz. “I'm incredibly proud of our students' outstanding performances. Bringing home 15 top-three medals and a grand-champion title is a testament to their hard work, dedication and their embodiment of the spirit of karate. Stonetown Karate is honoured to celebrate their success.”