A local tae kwon do team showed the state of Arizona how mighty Verde Valley teenagers can be.
KC’s Family Tae Kwon Do of Cottonwood and Camp Verde won big against schools from all over Arizona at the Arizona Elite Championships in Mesa on Nov. 10. Twenty-two KC students won 15 first-place trophies, eight second-place trophies, five third-place trophies and three fourth-place trophies in beginner, intermediate, advanced belts and black belt levels.
This was the last tournament of the 2012 Arizona Elite Tournament Circuit season.
More black belts were representing KC’s than any other school in the state with eight representing the school in competition and three present to assist with judging and coaching.
“All of our black belts finished in the top three, and they earned seven first-place finishes among them. To say I’m proud is an understatement,” said Karen Conover, head instructor. “They work so hard and perform at such high levels. I’m ecstatic to be their coach.”
Kirsten Conover and Cody Zellner, both black belts, ended the season on top in the age 14 to 17 Girls/Boys Sparring divisions.
Sierra Romero, 11, sparred as a black belt for the first time and won first place with the cheers of the entire KC’s crowd.
Ariel Allen, 13, was the only advanced belt representing KC’s at the tournament. She won in the Open Forms and Sparring divisions as well as earned fourth place in the Traditional Forms. Karen Conover said this advanced
For the full story, please see the Wednesday, Nov. 21, issue of the Cottonwood Journal Extra or Camp Verde Journal.
