Upper Saddle River July 28, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 The newly constructed field house at Lions Memorial Park in Upper Saddle River has been named The Mike Blake Field House. The building was the last element of the renovation of the fields at Lions Park. Known as Coach Mike, Blake was a tireless coach to boys and girls, coaching softball, baseball, soccer, and basketball. Blake devoted equal passion to his star athletes and local kids who were just out to have some fun. He brought his life-long love of sports to those he coached, teaching them teamwork, persistence, and sportsmanship. Blake grew up in Allendale and graduated from Northern Highlands High School. He subsequently graduated from Bloomsburg University, where he was elected to the NCAA Football Division II All American Team as a tight end. He later moved to Upper Saddle River to raise his family. Blake passed away in the fall of 2008, leaving behind his wife, Nancy, son Kyle, and daughters Amanda and McKenna. Nancy Blake accepted the dedication in her husband’s honor, stating, “Mike would have loved the new fields and this field house. It is a perfect tribute. He would have been very proud. There was nothing he loved better than being down here coaching kids -- so much so that on Father’s Day and on Mike’s birthday, I come down here with the kids. We sit awhile, then release balloons from the field in Field house named in memory of beloved coach Shown in front of the plaque dedicating the newly constructed field house at Lions Park in memory of Coach Mike Blake are Barbara Ripston, Ronnie Torino, Dennis Schubert, Nancy Blake, Mayor Ken Gabbert, Joanne Minichetti, Borough Administrator Ted Preusch, and Vinny Durante. his memory.” Upper Saddle River Mayor Ken Gabbert, Borough Administrator Ted Preusch, and council members Dennis Schubert, Joanne Minichetti and Vinny Durante were on hand as were former council members Barbara Ripston and Ronnie Torino. Borough youth is world champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Dominyka Obeleniene (pictured), a 14-year-old athlete from Upper Saddle River and a freshman at Northern Highlands Regional High School, has become a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu world champion in the adult female blue belt lightweight category. The championships, known as the Mundials, took place in Long Beach, California last month. Over 2000 athletes competed. There were eighteen women in Obeleniene’s weight category. She won her first fight against Brazilian competitor Laisa Correa Fabre 6:3, her second fight against American Jenifer Recinos 7:3, and her third fight against Norwegian Oda Pleymo 3:0. For her final fight, Obeleniene defeated American Erikka Flom 3:0. In addition to this championship, she has also earned a silver medal in the Pan Jiu Jitsu World Championships, and a silver medal in the New York Open, giving up her gold for former teammate Tracy Goodell, who has now been promoted to purple belt. Officially, Obeleniene is not eligible to compete in the junior category (16-17 years), but because of her high-skill level, and victories at the North American Grappling Association, and Grapplers Quest national tournaments, she is ready to face more difficult challenges. Because Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is popular mostly among males, Obeleniene has had a tough time finding female training partners at her skill-level. She has been traveling to Pennsylvania and Baltimore on weekends, and to Florida and Arizona during the summer to train with a variety of people. She has worked with black belt Johnathan “JT” Torres, Jay Hayes, and Will Van Horneff. She recently found female coach, black belt Emily Kwok, who is her training partner. Obeleniene works with personal trainer Rob Kehoe, represents team Alliance, and trains with Marcelo Garcia. �� �� ��� � �� HOME HARDWARE Offers More WEBER® Grill Options Than Any Other Store We Carry The Entire Line Of WEBER® Grills From Standard Models To Premium Versions Not Available In Many Stores. Let Us Show And Explain The Difference To You. We do WEBER Grill Repairs ����� ������������ �������� ��������������� ������������������������������� ������������ FREE ��������������������� ��������������������� ���������������������� With coupon only VT ��������������� FREE ���� �������������������������������������������������� ������������������������� �������������������������� ������� ������� ����� �������� ���� ����� ������������ �������� ��������������� ����������������� �������� VT With coupon only FREE ������� ������������������ ��������������� ������������ �������������������� VT With coupon only