Juggler's World: Vol. 42, No. 3

1990 Championships Results

by Laura Green, Championships Director

The 1990 championships in Los Angeles proved to be exciting, dynamic and full of new faces. The Junior Preliminaries and Showcase of Young Talent were a success, providing an opportunity for teachers to give support to young jugglers. The showcase was attended by over 800 local school children, giving the performers experience and an enthusiastic audience.

The Junior Championships offered an opportunity to watch some of the finest juggling talent on any stage anywhere. The level of technical expertise and performance skill was exceptionally high, setting a new standard of excellence.

The U.S. Nationals was a powerful competition, and the judges faced a difficult job. There is no question that competitions bring to light the finest performance an artist can offer.

The joggling races were thrilling and well-attended. Team Exerball (Albert Lucas, Owen Morse, Jon Wee, and Tuey Wilson) shattered the four-minute mile with a time of 3:57.4, while Team Flamingo set a women's record at the same distance with a 6:54.1 time. Sandy Brown, convention co-chair, blazed to a new record for the women's 100 meter dash with a time of 17.2. Two numbers challenge records fell - Allen Knutson and Dave Morton in team balls, and Owen Morse and Jon Wee in team clubs.

By far, the most controversial festival topic was a survey asking members if competitions should be eliminated. As championships director, my job was to examine both sides of this question, often playing devil's advocate. I am pleased to report that respondents overwhelming support the championships, and that many constructive suggestions offered in their responses will be in place in 1991. Thanks to all jugglers who took the time to respond.

Special thanks to all who made the 1990 championships a success!

U.S. Nationals Championships

• Gold - Mark Nizer
• Silver - Carlos Rodriguez
• Bronze - Dan Holzman
• Also participating: Arsene, Jason Garfield, Barry John, Tyler Linkin, Bob Nickerson

• Preliminary judges: Barry Bakalor, Craig Barnes, Robert Nelson
• Finals judges: Holly Greeley, Benji Hill, Todd Smith, Kit Summers, Steve Westren, Robert York
• Director: Steve Salberg
• Stage Manager: Perry Rubenfeld
• Emcee: Dave Finnigan
• Huggers: Kay Caskey, Roni Lynn, Laurie Young
• Timers: Risa Davis, Rick Purcell, William Wachspress
• Scorer: Arthur Lewbel

Teams Championships

• Gold - Darn Good & Funny (Kevin Holman, Karen Phariss, Paul Phariss)
• Silver - Raspyni Brothers (Dan Holzman, Barry Friedman)

Juniors Championships

• Gold - Chuck Gunter
• Silver - Joel Purcell
• Bronze - Brian Patz
• Also participating: Robin Chestnut, Sean McKinney, Matt Ponce de Leon

• Preliminary judges: Barry Bakalor, Nick Gatto, Bob Nickerson
• Junior's Finals Judges: Brad French, John Gunter, Dan Holzman, Steve Norwood, Karen Phariss, Jon Wee
• Stage Director: Benji Hill
• Stage Manager: Perry Rubenfeld
• Emcee: David Deeble
• Sponsor: Kentucky Fried Chicken
• Special Thanks: Linkin Communications

Numbers Championships

Numbers Judges: Martin Frost, Arthur Lewbel, Scotty Meltzer, Bob Mendelsohn

• Individual Balls - Jason Garfield (8 b, 16 catches)
• Individual Clubs - Andrew Senske & Boppo (6 c, 14 catches)
• Individual Rings - Jason Garfield (8 r, 22 catches)
• Team Balls - Allen Knutson and Dave Morton: (12 b, 68 catches *)
• Team Clubs - Owen Morse and Jon Wee: (10 c, 48 catches *)
• Team Rings - Bob Mendelsohn & Owen Morse: (11 r, 48 catches)
• Also participated: Craig Barnes, Barry Friedman, Albert Lucas, Jimmy Shafer, Bruce Tiemann

Baltimore Three Ball Open

• Master - Michael Menes
• Journeyman - Sean McKinney
• Apprentice - Rod Kimbal
• Also participated: Eric Ackerson, Martin Cobb, Jackie Erickson, Andrew Ford, Jim Girdes, John Heffernan, Jack Kalvan, Mick Lunzer, Bruce Manners, Allan Marshall, Robert Peck, Bill Pierce, Rick Rubenstein, Eric Uhrane, Brad Zentmeyer
• Judges: Apprentice and Journeyman - Jack Kalvan, Michael Menes, Robert Peck; Master - Paul Bachman, Wink Dannenberg, Rick Robinson

People's Choice Award

• Arsene
• Also receiving votes: Ngaio Bealum, Laura Green, Sandy Brown & Ginny Rose

* - Represents a new IJA Championships record

Joggling Director: Larry Kluger

Joggling Angel: Patricia Kelley

Men's 100 Meter

• Gold - Owen Morse (12.1 sec)
• Silver - Albert Lucas (12.9 sec)
• Bronze - Barry Goldmeier (14.3 sec).
• Also participating: Scott Anthony, Denny Burnett, Bill Giduz, John Peattie, Jim Steffens, Mike Thomason, John Wilkins.

Women's 100 Meter

• Gold - Sandy Brown (17.2 sec *)
• Silver - Christa Rypins (19.2 sec)
• Also participating: Laura Green, Peggy Reuss, Laurie Young

Men's 400 Meter

• Gold - Owen Morse (57.4 sec)
• Silver - Albert Lucas (1:04.5)
• Bronze - Barry Goldmeier (1:06.8)
• Also participating: Bill Giduz, Jim Steffens

Women's 400 Meter

• Gold - Christa Rypins (1:16.0)
• Silver - Sandy Brown (NT)

Men's Mile Relay

• Gold - Team Exerball (Albert Lucas, Owen Morse, Jon Wee, Tuey Wilson 3:57.4 *)
• Silver - Cheese Surfers (Lars Rohrbach, Jim Steffens, Michael Taylor, Mike Thomason 4:44.3)
• Bronze - Next Best (Scott Anthony, Bill Giduz, Barry Goldmeier, John Kilgust 4:51.9)

Women's Mile Relay

• The Flamingos (Sandy Brown, Kay Caskey, Kathy Glynn, Laurie Young 6:54.1 *)

Men's Mile

• Gold - Mike Hebebrand (5:16.0)
• Silver - Mark Branner (5:38.2)
• Bronze - Melonhead (5:43.9)
• Also participated: Bill Giduz, Barry Goldmeier, Albert Lucas

Women's Mile

• Gold - Christa Rypins (6:43.4)
• Silver - Kathy Glynn (7:34.0)
• Bronze - Kay Caskey (8:44.6)

Men's 5 Kilometer

• Gold - Mike Hebebrand (17:37.0)
• Silver - Robert Slick (17:55.0)
• Bronze - John Kilgust (20:08.0)
• Also participating: Kierulf Anders, Don Fallis, Barry Goldmeier, Benny James, Albert Lucas, Robert Nelson, Tuey Wilson, Howard Young

Women's 5 Kilometer

• Laurie Young (29:15.0)

Junior 100 Meter participants

• Michael Caskey
• Colin Chanler
• Joel Cortez
• Damon Luenado
• Michael Reyes
• Jimmy Shafer
• Joanne Swaim

* - Represents a new IJA Championships record