Martial Arts Club Begins!
The ancient art of kickin’ butt is now being taught to Moeller Staff and Students.
The Martial Arts Club was first initiated by Social Studies teacher, Mark Lynch ’97. The club provides lessons on Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and professional MMA fighter, Jeremy Pender.
Jui-Jitsu and MMA instructor, Jeremy Pender, with his B2 Fighting Series bantamweight title belts.
Back in June, Mr. Lynch started attending Vision Fitness & MMA gym where he met Pender. Mr. Lynch started taking Pender’s Jiu-jitsu class where he immediately started to see the benefits. Eventually, Mr. Lynch, always looking to improve and bring new things to Moeller, thought that the student body could greatly benefit from Pender’s instruction. Mr. Lynch not only valued the idea of self-defense, but also felt Pender’s character as one that the students could learn from.
At 6:15am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, you can find anyone from students to faculty on the top floor of the O’Connor Center. The club has ranged from a size of four participants to ten. One of the regulars that you will see there is Moeller Senior Tommy Stines.
Stines is inexperienced in any sort of combat training. Stines stated, “This was my first time doing anything like Jui-Jitsu and I have been coming back to every class. I think that it showed lots of maneuvers that one day that could help me if I ever got in trouble.” Stines also expressed that aside from the technicalities of Jui-Jitsu, it provides a great cardio workout, and he encourages students of all grade levels to try at least one training session.
Mr. Lynch has high hopes for the future of the Martial Arts Club as it grows and picks up traction. He expects that eventually the numbers will hit upwards of twenty participants. He sees that the people who go want to be there and want to continue going, so all that he asks is that you give it consideration.
If you are interested in Martial Arts Club, Mr. Lynch asks that you show up with your nails trimmed and be well-cleansed. This is for the safety of not only your own health but also others. Concluding the training, there is plenty of time for participants to shower and fill up on breakfast.
Mr. Lynch hopes to see you on Tuesdays and Thursdays!