Matthew Degrate remembers the days when he’d return home from judo practice and be both physically and mentally spent.
“I’d come home and my mom would say, ‘Why don’t you just quit?’ I just couldn’t see myself doing that,” the Kentridge senior said.
Degrate’s determination paid off. Because on March 29 at the USA Judo Youth and Scholastic National tournament in York, Pa., Degrate delivered one of the finest performances of his life. Degrate, who competes in the 100 kilogram weight class, won five-consecutive bouts to bring home a gold medal from the event.
But it wasn’t just about how Degrate performed, but who he knocked off. The Kentridge senior scored wins over 2008 Junior World Team member Colin Robinson of Colorado Springs and Burleson, Texas’ Doyle Richeson, another standout on the judo circuit.
“I didn’t know who these guys were,” admitted Degrate, who will enroll at Creighton University in the fall and study International Business. “It wasn’t until after I won that I found out. I don’t know that it mattered. One of the coaches who was seeding me said (Robinson) was the No. 2 ranked guy in the nation. I just do what I do.”
And Degrate did it well.
“It’s pretty incredible, what he did,” said Kentridge judo coach Jeff Tibeau. “For us, our athletes, we have them just from ninth grade until now. For him to beat these kids who have been competing since they were little kids, and at the elite level, is quite an accomplishment.”
Degrate, however, wasn’t alone. He led a contingent of 10 Kent School District athletes to the tournament. Each student-athlete had to raise roughly $500 to make the trip.
Kentwood senior Katie Stillings, competing in the 78-kilogram weight class, was the only other local competitor to bring home a gold medal.
Stillings had just one other competitor in her weight class. To secure the gold medal, she had to win both of her bouts.
“She has good technical skill and tremendous strength,” said Kentwood coach Doug Graham. “She’s also a very smart player.”
Of the 10 Kent athletes who made the trip, six finished among the top eight in their respective weight/age brackets. After the performances of Degrate and Stillings, Kentridge’s Fiona Kang brought home a bronze medal from the 78-kilogram bracket.
Other placers include Kentlake’s Tyler Westover (5th at 81 kilograms) along with Kentridge’s Calvin Lu (5th at 90 kilogram’s), Joseph Cordell (7th, 73 kg.) and Alton Lu (5th, 60 kg.).
In addition, eight of the ten athletes who made the trip were given Scholar Athlete Awards. Those winners include Kentridge’s Kevin Uyeji, Lu, Cordell; Kentwood’s Stillings, Asha Louie and Kentlake’s Westover.
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