AREA JUDO CLUB RETURNS VICTORIOUS FROM NATIONAL MEET : FIVE MEMBERS CAPTURE MEDALS IN HUGE TEST FOR YOUNG TEAM.

Byline: Kathy Orton Daily News Staff Writer

Pauline Macias and Johnny Rollins of the Antelope Valley Judo Club won gold medals at the United States Judo Federation (USJF) Junior National tournament held this past weekend in Oakland.

Although the club has had several second- and third-place finishes during its two-year existence, never before had a member placed first in a national tournament.

``To fight at the level they're fighting in that short of time is incredible,'' said coach Steve Bell.

The tournament featured nearly 1,000 boys and girls from across the country. The packed stadium had an Olympic feel to it, and members of the U.S. Olympic Judo team presented medals to the winners.

Of the 14 members of the Antelope Valley Judo Club who competed, five placed in the top three. Three more finished fourth, just out of medal contention.

Second-place winners included Shayla Blair and Megan Buck. Nicholas Fitzgerald took third. Douglas Holden, Matthew Beran and Quinton Blair finished fourth.

``Next year we'll have a lot more (winners),'' Bell said. ``We have a lot more coming up.''

Macias, who holds an orange belt and competed in the ages 7-8 lightweight division, only began judo nine months ago. She is the California state champion at her level, and she has won all but two tournaments. In those, she finished second.

``She works really hard,'' Bell said. ``Our kids succeed because they work harder than the rest do.''

Rollins, a purple belt holder who competed in the 13-14 lightweight division, has done well at past national championships - winning two silver medals and a bronze. He had never finished in the top spot, until this past weekend.

``I wanted to take the first,'' Rollins said. ``I was so tired of second.''

Shayla Blair, a green belt who competed in the 10-11 heavyweight division, recently moved to the Antelope Valley from Oklahoma. This was her first experience at a national championship.

``I was a lot nervous,'' Blair said.

Her brother, Quinton, said he wasn't scared. The 8-year-old, who has a yellow belt, thought the tournament was a lot of fun.

Buck switched from tae kwon do, which she studied for nine years, to judo eight months ago. She was very pleased with her second-place finish.

``You prove to yourself you're good at something,'' said Buck, who holds a yellow belt and fought in the 10-11 division.

Fitzgerald, a blue belt holder who competed in the 9-and 10-year-old lightweight division, took second at nationals two years ago. Of the 28 kids in his division, he was third.

Beran, 7, had to receive special permission to compete because of his age. Even though he is a state champion and won every tournament he competed in this year, his late birth date forced him to get a waiver to fight. He was especially disappointed by his finish, considering that the eventual winner was a boy he had beaten twice before.

Holden, who holds a blue belt and competed in the 13-14 medium weight division, received a tough draw. He was forced to fight the top competitor in his very first match.

``I started to slow down, to ease up on him, because I was winning,'' Holden said. ``I really wanted to place. I wish I would have placed.''

Of his eight matches that day, he won six consecutive in the four hours.

Others competing at the national tournament were: William Bell, Chris Blair, Andrew Fitzgerald, Matthew Fitzgerald, Jeremy Kosick and Michael Rollins.

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Photo: Back from their strong showing at the junior nationa l judo tournament are, front, from left, Quinton Blair, Matthew Beran, Pauline Macias and Nicholas Fitzgerald; back, from left, Douglas Holden, Shayla Blair, Johnny Rollins and Megan Buck. They compete with the Antelope Valley Judo Club.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News