LOCAL MARTIAL ARTISTS EXCEL AT JIU JITSU NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The qualifiers are as follows:

• Joshua Hillman: USJJF, one of three 2015 Jiu Jitsu National Team champions, three gold medals; national champion in Jiu Jitsu Kumite and Gi Jiu Jitsu and No Gi Jiu Jitsu; and WJJC, three gold medals, international champion in Jiu Jitsu Kumite and Gi Jiu Jitsu and No Gi Jiu Jitsu

• Dominic Vitrano: United States of America Jiu Jitsu Federation-Best Jiu Jitsu technique award; USJJF, one of three 2015 Jiu Jitsu National Team champions; USJJF, two gold medals, national champion in Gi Jiu Jitsu and No Gi Jiu Jitsu; and WJJC, two gold medals, international champion in Gi Jiu Jitsu and No Gi Jiu Jitsu

• Andrew Newman: USJJF National Outstanding Competitor Award; USJJF, two gold medals, national champion in Gi Jiu Jitsu and No Gi Jiu Jitsu; USJJF silver medalist in Jiu Jitsu Kumite; WJJC/ World Jiu Jitsu Confederation, two silver medals, international champion in Gi Jiu Jitsu and No Gi Jiu Jitsu; and WJJC, one silver medal, international champion in Jiu Jitsu Kumite

• Stephanie Messmore: USJJF, three silver medals and one bronze medal; national champion in Jiu Jitsu Kumite and Gi Jiu Jitsu and No Gi Jiu Jitsu; bronze in judo; WJJC, three silver medals and one bronze medal; international champion in Jiu Jitsu Kumite and Gi Jiu Jitsu and No Gi Jiu Jitsu; and bronze in judo

• Justin Jones: USJJF, one of three 2015 Jiu Jitsu National Team champions, three bronze medals; national champion in Jiu Jitsu Kumite and Gi Jiu Jitsu and No Gi Jiu Jitsu; WJJC, three bronze medals, international champion in Jiu Jitsu Kumite and Gi Jiu Jitsu and No Gi Jiu Jitsu

• Brian Walsh: USJJF Hall of Fame inductee for being an international athlete; honoree as the first international champion of the United States; and USJJF Hall of Fame inductee for distinguished service

• Josh Hendricks: Jiu Jitsu gold medalist and No Gi Jiu Jitsu gold medalist

• Rob Shreeve: Jiu Jitsu silver medalist and No Gi Jiu Jitsu silver medalist

The team’s goal is to gain $20,000 in sponsorship revenue for this event.

Team USA/USA Sport Jiu-Jitsu Alliance of Cuyahoga Falls is located at 1736 Front St. Besides the team members, there also are three coaches at the facility: head coach and grappling coach Brian Walsh and Hillman, who is the strength, conditioning and striking coach and also is a competitor, and Albert Pecoraro, who is the striking and freestyle judo coach.

Donations of any monetary amount will be accepted.

Any company, organization and individual interested in sponsoring Team USA in its quest for gold medals or making a donation should call 330-780-5383. Donations also can be mailed to USA Sport Jiu-Jitsu Alliance of Cuyahoga Falls.