RAT PACK'S WINTER BELT TESTING SESSION
Sunday November 25th was the date of the most recent belt testing session at Rat Pack and, once again, the event was a smashing success.
Those in attendance were privileged not only to watch the testing sessions of several Rat Pack members but, also, to participate in a mini-seminar put on by triple black belt (Judo/Sambo/BJJ) JAMES SIMRELL of Scranton and Renzo Gracie black belt and BJJ phenom BRIAN MILLER.
Congratulations go out to those who tested that day including Rat Pack instructors Jr. Ortiz who earned his long overdue Blue Belt as well as a stripe; Todd Teele who earned a stripe on his Blue Belt; Bubba "Bubba-Licious " Naratil who earned his Blue Belt; and Matt "The Answer" Riddle who earned a well deserved Purple Belt. Congrats also to Rat Pack members Brent Yoder and Jeff Johnson who also garnered Blue Belts on this occasion.
Great job guys!
A special thank you to our friend and director of our BJJ and MMA programs, MR. SIMRELL without whom none of this would be possible, to CHUCK GLASS, owner of Reality Martial Arts, the newest member of the Simrell MMA Association, for attending and for sharing his skills with us so generously over the past several months (we hate to loose you brother!) and to BRIAN MILLER for taking the time to work with the Rat Pack gang both during and after the testing session.
RAT PACK HAS "THE ANSWER"
Congratulations to Rat Pack's Matthew "The Answer" Riddle who followed up his win in the 190lb Advanced division at NAGA's Battle at the Beach (8/07) with and Advanced win at Grapplers Quest (10/07) and, in between, found time to win his first MMA match at the Mohegan Sun's "Battle at the Sun II" (9/07) via key lock in the first round.
Currently "The Answer" has his sites set on the Abu Dabi's and is looking to turn pro in early 2008.
The placings are out! Out of 90+ teams Rat Pack placed 6th at the 2007 NAGA Battle of the Beach in Wildwood, NJ. This feat is particularly impressive considering many of the top 5 teams were compilation teams with several schools points being pooled together while Rat Pack stands alone as a single. Thanks again to all who competed and came to support the team.