Bodystrong athletes earn black belts
Published 5:10 pm Saturday, November 21, 2015
Sequim Gazette staff
The United States Taekwon-do Federation hosts two black belt tests each year on the West Coast. On Oct. 3, two students from Bodystrong Taekwon-do of Sequim tested for — and earned — black belts. Dr. Linda Allen tested for her second-degree black belt and Logan Phipps tested in front of the testing panel, headed by Master David Mason, for his first-degree black belt.
Allen received a commendation for her excellence in patterns and Phipps, at just 11 years old, received comment on his self-discipline regarding his dedication to Taekwon-do. Phipps is now the third person in his family to achieve the rank of black belt, his brother Marshal, now a blue belt, plans to test for his black belt in about two years.
Twice this year, Bodystrong Taekwon-do students travelled to Battle Ground to compete against other Taekwon-do schools from the Northwest. On April 18, Bodystrong had a large showing of junior students competing (10 in all) plus one adult student, Larry Muckley. For five for the junior students, this was their first tournament. Hunter Muckley was the star of the tourney, earning three gold medals. Earning two golds each were Adrian and Jessica Golbeck. Earning one gold each were Aron Golbeck, Bryant Laboy, Larry Muckley, Devin Rineierson and Ian Thill. Jackson Laboy earned two silvers, while Mhin Tu Hardin and Dean Rineierson earned one silver apiece.
On July 25, Mason hosted a second invitational tournament that Body-strong attended. Each Bodystrong student medaled in all three categories of patterns, sparring and breaking. Black belts Allen, Troy Phipps and Trenton Phipps had busy schedule for the day, as each spent time officiating as well as competing. SaVannah Cregg earned two gold medals while Allen, Hunter and Larry Muckley, Logan and Marshal and Trenton Phipps earned one gold each. Troy Phipps earned three bronzes.
