Vernon Valley Karate students participate in Spartan Races

VERNON — More than 20 students from the Vernon Valley Karate Academy put their spirit and determination on display as they pushed their bodies through the tough Spartan Race obstacles and mud at the Tri-State Spartan Junior Division Race at Mountain Creek.

Each participant ran up mountain trails, climbed over steep barricades, crawled on their bellies through dirt and plunged into muddy pits to complete the one-mile grueling course.

“These students ranging in age from 4 to 13 demonstrated not only their physical strength but also their love for getting deep, down, and dirty while sharing the spirit of fun with their friends," owner/sensei Thomas Shull said. "There is so much talk about how today’s kids are lazy and overweight ... well, not my students. I see them perform at the karate school and now here at the Spartan Challenge. These children are the examples of the best our society can produce. Their parents should be very proud.”

Organizing the event for the school was Sensei Paul Doumanis, who competes in the 10-mile adult race and volunteers at the venue. Participating students were: Ayden Alexander, Brittney Baldwin, Alex Bishop, Luke Bishop, Amber Christy, Jackson Christy, Justin Dixon, James Dorsey, Caterina Dorsey, Tyler Douglass, Gracie Doumanis, Tyler Hammerstedt, Jaycie Healy, Teagan Healy, Yorgo Liaros, Kyle Long, Erin Miller, Brian Miller, Andrew Miller, Jonah Moore, Helaina Stovin, Zachary Trost, Sophia Vigiletti, CJ Vigiletti, Danica Williams, and Cody Williams.