High Noon Wins Third Consecutive Senior National Team Title
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA — In an unprecedented and impressive fashion, the team at High Noon Judo, lead by Sensei Christopher Round, founder of Martial Arts for Social Transformation, Equity and Rights (MASTERs), has won best overall team at the USA Judo Senior Nationals for the third year in a row. In just a few short years, the Northern Virginia-based team has made waves in the American judo scene, with eyes set on the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
The High Noon 2026 Senior National Championship team.
The team came home with fifteen gold medals, nine silver, and four bronze. From juniors to veterans, a wide variety of ages and skill levels were represented. Even academy owner Tim Dawson returned from the tournament with two golds and three silvers himself. Stand out performances included Steven Hullett and Ayodeji Raymond who each took silver in the brown belt divisions and Mathew Rairdon who placed silver in the novice division. Several High Noon members regrettably had uncontested divisions but showed up to support their teammates regardless.
High Noon Judo Deputy Director Heidi Holz looks on as she warms up the team.
“This championship really comes on the back of our junior, novice, brown belt and veteran competitors. They were the ones who showed up and fought multiple divisions to try to earn enough points to repeat. Many of them fought close to ten matches just to capture one more medal. I am so proud of them.” While High Noon as a club triumphed, several MASTERs fellows competed. For the fellows competing, this event acts as a tune up event before the official beginning of Olympic qualification in June.
MASTERS Mental Performance Coach Erin Herle watches matches while waiting for Kaiya Johnston to compete.
Newcomer Kaiya Johnston (High Noon / Shogun Judo & BJJ) had a thrilling debut at her first senior national championships. Moving all the way up from 63kgs, this was both the 16 year old first senior national championship and first time competing at 78kgs. She easily won her first round to setup a quarter final match against Rose Marie-Lecorre, one of the key gatekeepers for the 78kg division at the national level. Kaiya threw Rose with a big osoto gari to setup a semi final match against the reigning queen of the American 78kg division Nicole Stout-Berliner. Stout, who had not lost to another American since 2019, was pushed to her limits by the 16 year old. Kaiya took it to Stout, only losing by a yuko in a controversial loss. Kaiya would bounce back to pin 2024 Senior National bronze medalist Lydia Coleman for a bronze medal at her first senior national championships. Kaiya would complete her day by easily winning the IJF 78kg division to bring home a gold medal.
Kaiya Johnston hops down from the awards area after winning her bronze medal in the senior division.
Chloe Williams (High Noon), a particularly seasoned member of the MASTERs and High Noon team repeated her placement of 5th in the senior womens 70kg division. In a stacked 70kg division, she lost an overtime match against 2025 silver medalist Isabella Garriga. She bounced back to pin Christina Thomas before setting up a rematch against world team member Melissa Myers. losing to rival and US World team member Melissa Myers in a grueling overtime match. MASTERs fellow Emma Bragg brought home a bronze medal in the open weight division. Ekaterina Petri placed silver in the women's open division, went 1-2 at senior 63kgs and took gold in her veterans division.
MASTERs Athlete Madeline Solis is recovering from an injury and came to nationals to coach. She is pictured here working with High Noon owner Tim Dawson before one of his matches.
The team benefited greatly from the support of several key staff members. This included MASTERs team dietician Janine Cotti, High Performance Director Dr. Rhadi Ferguson, and Mental Performance coach Erin Herle. Under the guidance of Senseis Dr. Christopher Round and Dr. Rhadi Ferguson of Tampa Judo, the athlete fellows of MASTERs are well positioned to keep up this momentum as the qualifying time for the 2028 Olympics approaches.
Head Coach Dr. Christopher Round conferring with fellow Chloe Williams during the senior division.
For media inquiries regarding MASTERs or High Noon Judo, please contact:
Dr. Christopher Round
Executive Director, MASTERs
roundce@martialartsforsocialgood.org
