Kicking for gold

Texas A&M's Tae Kwon Do team has sparred its way to a ten-year reign as one of the best teams in the country.

Since 1998, the team has been ranked as one of the top three challengers in collegiate competition. Rafael Lonngi, a first year member of the squad, said team spirit has been a factor in the team's success.

"When one of us is in the ring, the rest of the team is surrounding the ring, shouting the yells you hear at football games," Lonngi said. "It gives you that extra push to fight win you have your team yelling for you."

Michele Rossi, a first-degree black belt and fourth-year member of the team, commemorates his 2005 collegiate national gold medal to the brotherhood of the team.

"I remember everyone yelling my name," Rossi said. "I looked around to see I was surrounded by maroon. When I knocked the guy out in the fourth round and came out with a victory for my team. It was amazing."

Although tae kwon do is similar to karate, in that both involve kicks and punches, there are certain rules that differentiate it from Chinese style of combat fighting. Though punching is allowed in tae kwon do, it is exclusive to the torso, as opposed to kicking, in which, the entire body is a target.

Tae kwon do is more than a martial art, as it is recognized by the Olympic Games.

Rossi, along with other senior members, plays a unique role on the team as both a competitor and a coach. Although the team is led by Head Coach Jessie Kuhns, the player assistants are who gives the team an edge on competition.

"Without our officers the beginners wouldn't be getting the experience they need to compete," Kuhns said. "[The beginners] learn by fighting more experienced players."

Kuhns, in his second semester at A&M, said he has already experienced radical change.

"We went from being a team of maybe twenty members three years ago to a team of three times that now," Kuhns said. "I attribute that to having a staff of officers who work extremely hard."

He also said that new talent and leadership of officers is what is needed to reach the next echelon of competition. The team is currently ranked second among its collegiate competitors, but it pursues more.

Lonngi, anxious for his debut at the Collegiate National Tournament, said he thinks the team will fair well at the competition.

"We have really good competitors going to Stanford this year. I think we will do well," Lonngi said.

However, Lonngi isn't the only member who has his eyes set on gold.

"Everyone is healthy this year, something that has been a problem for us in the past," Kuhns said. "Everyone is looking great. Our form is great and we are sparring great. I'm positive we will do well."

The Collegiate National Tournament is on April 25th in Stanford, California.