Team Sky

Team SkyTeam Sky's Standard Logo

Sport| Sport Karate
School| Sky Centers Martial Arts
Founded| 2020
Division| NASKA Rated B-Class Team
Based in| Lombard, Illinois
Head coach| Mike Janssen
Division titles| 4th Place Finish (Team Demonstration) - AKA Warrior Cup (January 2023), 4th Place Finish (Team Demonstration) - Diamond Nationals (October 2023)

Team Sky is an American karate team based out of Lombard, Illinois. The team is based out of a larger dojo, named Sky Centers Martial Arts.

## History[edit]

The team was founded by head Instructor Sensei Mike Janssen in 2020, after the previous instructor stepped down from her position. Sensei Mike had minimal experience as a team coach, and previously worked as one of two main instructors for the Sky Centers main program. After becoming head coach, Sensei Mike drafted several new members onto the team, with an initial lineup of 9 Members.

## Current Team[edit]

The team is currently made up of 10 people, with ages ranging from 10 through 18. Most members of the team have earned at least one degree of their black belts, or are close to doing so. While there is no belt ranking requirement to join the team, historically only higher belt ranked students have joined.

#### Current Team Members:[edit]

* Maccoy Hartweg
* Rylan Anetsberger
* Belle Serrano
* Grace Mammolella
* Kate Eckhart
* Daniel Southern
* Tony Marin-Bunting
* Brady Sibr
* Josie Woods
* Joey Tortorello

## Individual Achievement[edit]

[This section is a work in progress]

## Training Practices[edit]

Team Sky trains at least twice a week, with occasional Sunday practices. A typical practice with the team consists of a brief warmup, followed either by tricking practice or forms practice. During a normal week, one class will be dedicated to tricking and the other will be dedicated to forms. While preparing for competition, it is not uncommon for the team to meet without the assistance of Sensei Mike, and practice whatever they feel is necessary to work on. Team Sky has also notably "stayed fit" during their brief stay at the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

## Notable Appearances[edit]

Team Sky has previously competed at 2 national tournaments. Their debut performance was located in Chicago, Illinois at the AKA Warrior Cup in 2023. After taking a 4th place finish in the Team Demonstration division, the team began practicing for their next big appearance, Diamond Nationals. Fast forwarding to Diamonds, Team Sky took another 4th place finish in the Team Demonstration division.

## Trivia[edit]

The official NASKA logo

* Though never placing remarkably high in competition, NASKA (North American Sport Karate Association) ranks Team Sky as a B-Class team

* Some of Team Sky's first practices took place online via Zoom meetings.
* Though Team Sky wasn't originally founded for the purpose of competing, it seems the team is headed in that direction.
* The most people Team Sky has had concurrently is 13.
* Team Sky has been receiving instruction from one of Top Ten Team USA's flagship members, Mason Bumba.