Westchester Martial Arts Students Win Honors In Tourney

EASTCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Westchester Martial Arts Academy sent seven of its students to the North American Grappling Association Tournament, and all came home with top honors.

Competing at the recent NAGA competition, from left, grappling coach/instructor Ron Barone, Aidan Connolly, Lauren Naclerio and Alexa Grassi.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

by Alesha Hanson

07/04/2014 4:00 a.m.

The competition, held at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, is the largest mixed grappling event of its kind in the U.S. for both children and adult competitors.

The WMAA students, ages 8-13, competed in both the tournament’s gi and no-gi grappling divisions. Both differ in the type of clothing required of the competitors as well as in technique and tactics.

The winners include: Aidan Connolly, first place in gi, third place in no-gi; Addison D’Agostino, second place in no-gi; Alexa Grassi, second place in no-gi; Isabella Maccera, first place in no-gi; Lauren Naclerio, third place in gi; Danny Sherlock, second place in gi, third place in no-gi; and Matt Sidoti, first place in no-gi.

“I would like to congratulate everybody who competed at the NAGA tournament," said grappling coach/instructor Ron Barone, who also competed in the adult division, taking second place in gi and drawing for a first place in no-gi.

"All of the students did an awesome job. Win or lose, I hope they all had fun. I am proud of you all,”

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