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 Taryn
Monteleone has been training with Master Eric Versland for twelve years. She
has a total of 14 years of Martial Arts experience and only at the young age
of seventeen. Taryn currently holds the rank of a third degree black belt,
which is very uncommon for someone of such a young age. Her hard work and
dedication to the art led her to receiving this high ranking. Taryn is a
hard working and dedicated student, competing in numerous regional and
national tournaments. At her most recent tournament, Taryn walked away with
a silver medal in forms, open forms, and fighting, and a gold medal in
weapons. In 2004, Taryn traveled to San Antonio, Texas for the USTL National
tournament. There, she received a bronze medal in weapons, a silver medal in
forms, and a gold medal in fighting. After a year's worth of practice and
promotion to black belt, Taryn won a gold medal in forms, fighting, and
weapons at the 2005 USTL National tournament in Clearwater, Florida. Taryn
was Master Versland's very first student of the year, an accomplishment met
by spending numerous hours in the gym and putting 110% of her effort into
every hour. Tagged with a student of the month award when she was merely a
white belt, and numerous testing top performer awards, Taryn has truly
demonstrated her love and dedication to karate. Taryn is a very accomplished
student, both inside and outside the gym. Next year, she will be heading off
to Carnegie Mellon University to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. She
will continue her training during her breaks and summer. Taryn is a well
rounded person with immense leadership skills she portrays in her classes
and will continue to exemplify throughout her lifetime. |
 Kalyn Versland currently
holds the rank of third degree black belt at Legacy Karate Academy. All of
Kayln’s formal training has come from her father, Master Eric Versland. Ms.
Versland considers herself extremely lucky to be able to train along side
her father and be able to learn from his skills as her instructor. She has
been training in the art of Tang Soo Do for 12 years and has assisted in
teaching at Legacy as well during that time. Kalyn is an
extremely successful competitor, competing both locally and nationally.
She has become one of Legacy Karate's most decorative
competitors. Ms. Versland has won 18 national first place titles, 3 second
place, and 1 third. In addition, she has also won over 100 local titles.
During her advancement at Gup and Dan testings Ms. Versland won the top
performer award at every belt level. Her technical skills are evident in her
practice of forms, weapons and sparring. In
2006 she won the esteemed award of outstanding student of the year
for her accomplishments and positive qualities. Ms. Versland is a great role
model for other students at Legacy karate. She now is an honor student
attending Kutztown University studying Political Science. She demonstrates
and carries herself in school and everywhere else with the discipline and
respect she has learned over her years of training with Legacy Karate.
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Mr. David Versland currently
holds the rank of 2nd Dan black belt at Legacy Karate. Having Master Eric
Versland as a father and instructor, he has taught Mr. Versland some of the
most important aspects of life; which include hard work, respect, and
determination. “We must train has hard as possible because, there is always
someone better out there. (Eric Versland).” Martial Arts have made Mr.
Versland physically and mentally stronger. Mr. Versland is one of Master
Versland top students. Mr. Versland holds 15 national metals and over 100
regional metals. In 2004 Mr. Versland received the Outstanding Student of
the Year award. In addition, he has won top performer awards
at practically every belt level. Mr. Versland is attending Penn State
University and is studying Economics. While attending school, Mr. Versland
has helped teach other Korean Martial Artists in Penn State’s Korean Karate
club. Mr. Versland aspires to become a Master in Tang Soo Do and continue
the legacy his father has started. |
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 Mike Bates currently
holds the rank of 2nd Dan black belt. His interest in Karate
started in Michigan during the early 1980’s as a member of the Japan Karate
Association studying the art of Shotokan. Mike and his family started
training with Master Versland in the early part of 2000, after having moved
to the Royersford area in May 1999. Mike enjoys competing both on the
regional and national level, having earned numerous awards in forms and
sparring. In 2008, Mike and his sons placed in Team Forms at the National
Tournament in Detroit. Also 2008, he was awarded Student of the Year.
Mike enjoys giving back to the Legacy Karate Academy through teaching and
mentoring all levels of students – beginning through advanced. Mike is
currently self-employed as an organizational operations consultant, and is
expected to complete his Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from
Philadelphia Biblical University in May 2010. In addition to his personal
training, Mike enjoys most of all training alongside his entire family. His
other interests include scuba diving, golf, and teaching elementary through
High School students at his church.
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 Taylor Bates has been a
student of Master Versland’s for 11 years. He holds the rank of 2nd
Dan black belt. He enjoys competing both on the regional and national
level, and has placed in all levels in weapons, forms, and sparring .
Taylor, his brother, and his father placed in Team Forms at the National
Tournament in Detroit in 2008. Taylor is a member of the Legacy staff due
to his leadership skills and ability to relate to younger students. He
splits his time between karate, church, school, and is a member of an
award-winning high school band program. He also is certified in SCUBA and
plays golf.
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Will Farkouh is a 1st Dan black
belt. He has been training under Master Versland since 1999 and is the most
tenured adult student at Legacy Karate. After having knee surgery and going
through physical rehab in 2008, Will has become an assistant instructor at
the gym, while acclimating back to training. Being a father of two boys, he
enjoys teaching younger students and helping them develop in their martial
arts instruction. He resides in Spring City, has a Master's Degree from
Widener University and works as a human resources professional. In addition
to martial arts, he enjoys exercising, fishing, cooking and coaching for his
son's little league. |
 Liam
Geoghan is a 2nd Degree Black Belt at Legacy Karate Academy. He
has been training under Master Versland for eight years and has been an
assistant to his teachings for almost a year now. Ever since the beginning
of his lessons, karate has been and still is a very important part of his
life. In addition, he has learned many key parts of growing up. The
discipline, focus, and patience that this karate requires have taught
Mr. Geoghan to develop a good work ethic and he hopes to instill
these virtues into all the children that he helps teach. He is a very
disciplined and helpful student and always strives to do his best. This
determination has helped him become a successful karate student. Mr.
Geoghan also feels his training has even turned him into a better school
student because of his improved confidence. He aspires to do his best to
pass on what he has learned to the children who he helps. Mr. Geoghan is
an accomplished competitor, competing on the local, regional and national
level with good success. He is developing into one of Master
Versland’s top fighters. |
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