Riverside Submission Challenge
(Nov 9th and 10th)

Chula Vista Resort in the Wisconsin Dells is an impressive facility: acre after acre of land, towering hotel complexes scattered about, an impressive water park and….a giant inflatable dome.

You might laugh, but it’s actually a great place to hold a tournament. Riverside Submission Challenge, working with Chula Vista, commandeered the dome for the November 9^th and 10^th event, spreading 10 plus high quality 40x40 mats across the huge expanse of concrete flooring, surrounded by chairs and plenty of space for competitors and spectators alike...

The only thing that was missing was a cage – due the unfortunate cancelation of the planned Gladiators Fighting event (due to insufficient time for preparation) – an absence that had similarly unfortunate repercussions on the ambitious young tourney. Event coordinators Christian and Justin (of Beaver Dam’s Third Heaven Martial Arts) expected somewhere in the range of 150 to 170 competitors, but due to a number out of state cancelations, as well as a widespread rumor that the entire tournament had been canceled, instead received approximately 60 pre-registrations and 10 to 20 walk-ups the day of.

The level of competition was high, though, despite the unexpectedly low turnout. Some of Wisconsin’s best grapplers made their way to the Riverside Submission Challenge, putting on a great show for all those in attendance. Some weight classes had to be combined, in order to accommodate the limited number of entrants, but that only served to increase the level of competition. The plan for was 72 total weight & skill divisions, with the addition of kid’s divisions and the Absolute category. 7 ambitious competitors entered the Absolute, with belt level ranging from 2-stripe white to purple. The battles were epic and included a few upsets, including one by Twisted Fitness’ Andy Acker, who came in at 2^nd. Justin “Bacon” Hutter (of Neutral Ground) was characteristically dominant, utilizing his signature “knee on face” to wear down his opponents and contort them into whatever necessary position. In one of the most anticipated confrontations of the day, “Bacon” faced off against Jason "KAZ" Kazmierczak (of Matamoros) for a rematch of a close bout a few years ago. The rivalry was all in fun, though, as all in attendance really just wanted to watch a match between 2 local purple belts. “Bacon” was once again victorious, submitting Kaz with an arm triangle from the mount position. That was just the first match of the Absolute, though, as Bacon had to charge through Mike “The Volt” Vaughan and Andy Acker to win the division. Valiant efforts were also put forth by Omar Choudhury (Gladiators Fighting Flyweight champ), Kyle Courtier and Gabe Wahhab, who also competed in the division.

 

“Learn how to play, learn how to compete – have fun.”

 

This was the message of black belt instructor Marcello C. Monteiro for the students of his seminar on the evening preceding the competition: don’t mistake training for competition, and competing with fighting - although BJJ found its notoriety on the streets and in the wild parties of Rio, don’t mistake what is a competitive sport and martial art for a deadly weapon. Professor Monteiro took students through a 3 hour seminar that includes sweeps, escapes, stories and more. A man known as an “encyclopedia of BJJ” talked to students about the importance of control, technique and understanding the nature of BJJ – a pursuit that is as much a physical chess match as a combat skill. Monteiro talked and took pictures with attendees until security literally had to escort everyone from the building, and was back the next morning, coaching and cheering his students, as well as other competitors.

 

Although the Riverside Submission Challenge did not pull the numbers they hoped, all involved were still pleased by the quality of the tournament – in terms of competition, lodgings, organization, and facilities. The Chula Vista is happy to host the event, and has contracted the Riverside team for another 4 years. Hopefully the word will spread and this fledging tournament can grow into its potential.

 

Event Results:

 
Absolute Division

 1^st  Place- Justin “Bacon” Hutter “Neutral Ground”

2^nd Place- Andy Acker “Twisted Fitness”

3^rd - Tie - Mike Vaughan and Omar Choudruy “The Blast” and “Matamoros”

 

Adult Mens Expert Middleweight No Gi

 1^st  Place- Mike Vaughan “The Blast”

2^nd Place- Andy Kazik “Green Bay BJJ”

3^rd Place- Ryan Williams “Matamorous”

 

Adult Mens Heavyweight Expert No Gi

 1^st Place- Leon Lewis “Marcello Monteiro”

2^nd Place- Chad Cracroft UW Superior

3^rd Place- Damien Decorah “Team Coroner”

4^th Place- Wes Pulver “Twisted Fitness”

 

Adult Men’s Expert Lightweight No Gi

 1^st Place- Omar Choudry “Matamoros”

2^nd Place- Tim Stephens “Third Heaven”

3^rd Place- Peter Miller “Third Heaven”

 

Adult Men’s Intermediate No Gi 175-195

 1^st Place- Kyle Courtier “Duke Roufus”

2^nd Place- Jim VanderWeilen “Third Heaven”

3^rd Place- Mike Goldthroup “The Blast”

 

Adult Men’ts Intermediate No Gi Under 175

 1^st Place- Luke Summerfield “Neutral Ground”

2^nd Place- Luke Imes “Camarillo Revolution”

3^rd Place- Wade Barden “Third Heaven”

 

Men’s Novice No Gi

 1. Brian Wachter

2. Jason Schmidt

3. Jim Vanderweilen

 

Adult Men’s Beginner No Gi 135-155

 1^st Place- Paul Nickels berg “Team Monteiro”

2^nd Place- Patrick McHugh “Third Heaven”

3^rd Place- Ken Vitols “Monteiro”

4^th Place- Josh Kristoff  “Third Heaven”

 

Adult Men’s Beginner No Gi 171-185

 1^st Place- Andy Acker “Twisted Fitness”

2^nd Place- Wes Pulver “Twisted Fitness”

3^rd Place- Ron Robson “

4^th Place-Brad Roeske “Third Heaven”

 

Adult Men’s Beginner No Gi 156-170

 1^st Place- Tim Blackstone

2^nd Place- Justin Barron “Revolution Defense”

3^rd Place- Ivan Luke “Revolution Defense”

 

Adult Men’s White Belt 135-155

1^st Place- Gabe Wahab

2^nd Place- Brady Siabnaler “Camarillo Revolution”

3^rd Place- Ken Vitols “Monteiro”

4^th Place- Mike Jaremba “Third Heaven”

 

Adult Men’s White Belt 156-170

 1^st Place- Jacob Correa “Monteiro”

2^nd Place- Evan Johnson “Third Heaven”

3^rd Place- Higirio Mirand

 

Adult Mens White Belt 171-185

 1^st Place- Mike Goldthread “The Blast”

2^nd Place-  Brad Roeske “Third Heaven”

3^rd Place- James VanderWeilen “Third Heaven”

4^th Place- Aaron Smith “Monteiro”

 

Adult Men’s White Belt 186-225

 1^st Place- Andy Kazik “Green Bay BJJ”

2^nd Place- Aaron Johnson “Portage ATA”

3^rd Place- Chad Cracroft “UW Superior”

4^th Place- Ron Robson “Monteiro”

 

Adult Men’s Blue Belt 141-170

 1^st Place- Luke Summerfield “Neutral Ground”

2^nd Place- Dan Darby

3^rd Place- Adam Messing

3^rd Place- Tim Stephens “Third Heaven”

 

Adult Men’s Blue Belt 185-220

 1^st Place- Ryan Williams “Matamoros”

2^nd Place- Leon Lewis “Monteiro”

3^rd Place- Andy Acker “Twisted Fitness”

 

Adult Men’s Purple Belt

 1^st Place- Damien Decorah “Team Coroner”

2^nd Place- Mark Roloff “Third Heaven”

3^rd Place- Greg Klemp “Reality MMA”

4^th Place- Mike Vaughn “The Blast”

 

Women’s Gi

 1^st Place- Michelle Dickinson “Camarillo Revolution”

2^nd Place- Alison Krauss “Monteiro”

3^rd Place- Diane DiSalvo “Twisted Fitness”

4^th Place- Molly Malone “Monteiro”

 

Women’s No Gi

 1^st Place- Michelle Dickinson “Camarillo Revolution”

2^nd Place- Diane Disalvo “Twisted Fitness”

3^rd Place- Alison Krauss “Monteiro”

 

Teen’s Submission No Gi Heavyweight

 1^st Place Justin Houng “Third Heaven”

2^nd Place Alex Thaurammitt “Third Heaven”

3^rd Place Shawn Garrett

 

Teen’s Submission No Gi Lightweight

 1^st Place Alex Thaurammitt “Third Heaven”

2^nd Place Shawn Garrett

3^rd Place Alex Trevino

 

Teen’s Submission Gi Lightweight

 1^st Place Jared Johen “Monteiro”

2^nd Place Alex Thairummitt “Third Heaven”

3^rd Place Alex Trevino

 

Teen’s No Submission 75 lbs and under

 1. Andrew Debrock

2. Nate Romero

3. Luke Tachick

 

Girls Gi

 1. Kaitlyn Wellnitz “Third Heaven”

2. Dannylin Link “ Links Martial Arts”

 

Kids No Gi No Submission

 1. Emily Catlin

2. Luke Tachik

3. Kaitlyn Wellnitz

 

Kids Gi No Submission

 1. Andrew Debrocke

2. Kaitlyn Wellnitz