Michelle Watts and Tony Rodriguez are the favorites when today's AAU Nevada States and Southwest Regionals kicks off at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lifters from California, Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, Maryland, Georgia and Arizona will compete in the event.

^ Lehigh University and local graduates competing in next
weeks NCAA Division I wrestling championships with
their first-round opponents:
125 -- Ross Gitomer, Virginia (Blair Academy) vs. No. 4
Anthony Robles, Arizona State
125 -- Garrett Frey, Princeton (Blair Academy) vs. No. 1
Angel Excobedo, Indiana
133 -- No. 4 Jordan Oliver, Oklahoma State (Easton) vs. Zac
Stevens, Michigan
133 -- No. 12 Steve Mytych, Drexel (Northampton) vs.
Brandon Low, UC Davis
133 -- Matt Fisk, Lehigh vs. No. 11 Scotti Sentes, Central
Michigan
141 -- No. 8 Alex Krom, Maryland (Easton) vs. Chris Drouin,
Arizona State
141 -- Seth Ciasulli, Lehigh (Easton) vs. winner No. 5 Zack
Bailey, Oklahoma-Ken Hashimoto, Northern Colorado
149 -- Bobby Ward, North Carolina State (Nazareth) vs.
Michael Kessler, Rider
157 -- Kyle John, Maryland (Bethlehem Catholic) vs. Keegan
Davis, Oregon State
165 -- Brandon Hatchett, Lehigh, vs. Ross Tice, Kent State
174 -- Robert Hamlin, Lehigh, vs. No. 7 Ben Bennett,
Central Michigan
184 -- No. 12 David Craig, Lehigh, vs. Eric Cameron,
Indiana
197 -- No. 3 Hudson Taylor, Maryland (Blair Academy) vs.
Dan Mitchell, American
197 -- Tyler Smith, Rider (Belvidere) vs. Dylan Temple,
Appalachian State
197 -- Joe Kennedy, Lehigh, vs. Eric Simaz, Central
Michigan
285 -- No. 3 Zach Rey, Lehigh, vs. Cameron Wade, Penn State
285 -- Ziad Haddad, North Carolina (Bethlehem Catholic) vs.
No. 8 Ryan Tomei, Pittsburgh
KEITH GARY

Cris Ramirez, left, came to Milton Hershey from the Bronx, N.Y.

-

(CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News)

Cris Ramirez did what few of us will ever admit to doing out loud: He willfully deceived his mother.

Living in the Bronx, N.Y., at the time -- Ramirez was 13 -- the Dominican Republic native looked around and didn't like what he saw.

"I wanted out; I wanted to get away from New York City," said Ramirez, currently a senior wrestler at the Milton Hershey. "I just didn't like the city.

"The only way I could think to get out was to go to military school," Ramirez said.

So he started researching military schools, even though he didn't necessarily have a military mien. All he knew is that it was an open door, out of the tight spaces and the constant flurry of New York living.

"One of my counselors asked me what my obsession with military school was about," Ramirez said. "I told her about how I wanted to go to college, to get out of the city to somewhere with good academics.

"She said, 'You don't need a military school,'" Ramirez remembered. "She said I needed a boarding school.

"I didn't even know what that was."

But he wanted to know, so it was back to the brochures and the Web sites. He found Milton Hershey. It had everything he needed and wanted.

"And," he said, "it was the only place where I could go for free."

Here's where Ramirez's mother, a Dominican who still does not speak fluent English, comes in, albeit in the background.

Ramirez set about doing all of the legwork: downloading forms, navigating the path that would lead him to Hershey. There was just one problem: His mother needed to sign the forms.

"She didn't know what she was signing," Ramirez said. "I'd give her a paper and tell her it was something for [the local public] school. She got quite a surprise when I told her I was going to Milton Hershey School."

Several discussions later, Mom was on board. And Ramirez was boarded.

This week, Ramirez (24-8) will join nine other midstate wrestlers, including Milton Hershey classmate Nick Lamoreaux (31-3 at 112), in their quest to win medals -- and possibly a state championship -- at the PIAA Class AA Wrestling Championships at Hershey's Giant Center.

Wrestling begins at 9 a.m. Thursday with the preliminary round. It continues Friday at 8 a.m. with quarterfinals and 6:30 p.m. with semifinals. The championships will be broadcast live statewide on PCN at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Most of the midstate focus will be on Juniata 119-pounder Arty Walsh (43-0), last year's PIAA Class AA champion at 112 who transferred from Wyomissing over the summer, and three-time medalist and one-time runner-up Joe Spisak (43-1) of Boiling Springs at 130.

Walsh is one of five Juniata wrestlers in the AA field, enough for an outside run at a team championship, especially if sophomore Zac Beitz (46-2 at 119) can return to the finals (he lost to Walsh in the 112-AA title match)

But given Juniata's draws -- even Walsh has a mega-semifinal showdown in the making with Reynolds star Mason Beckman (45-0) -- the hill is tall and steep. Seth Beitz (41-7) at 140, Dylan Treaster (37-10) at 160 and Dan Fultz (46-4) at 285 also qualified for Juniata.

Spisak, a University of Virginia recruit, has to be considered one of the favorites at 130. But so is Tyrone junior Ronnie Garbinsky (38-0); they are in the same semifinal bracket.

Other midstate wrestlers in the field are Annville-Cleona's Dylan Killian (35-8) at 140 and Boiling Springs' Tylor Unger (32-15), last week's surprise runner-up in the Southeast Region tournament at 285.

But the Milton Hershey wrestlers have followed the most twisted and interesting paths. Lamoreaux, from Bethesda, Md., didn't have to fool family to reach the Hershey school, but like Ramirez, he had no idea what scholastic wrestling was until he came to Hershey as a freshman.

"I thought it was like [pro wrestling on TV]," Lamoreaux said.

Said Ramirez, "I thought it was hitting someone with a chair."

Both were guided into wrestling by Jimmy Taylor, Milton Hershey's freshman football and wrestling coach. And, despite the lack of flying chairs, both took to it, especially Lamoreaux.

"I fell in love with it," Lamoreaux said. "I was a little disappointed after my freshman year after the season ended because it was over, but I went to a lot of summer camps and clinics. I couldn't get enough of it."

Ramirez and Lamoreaux have talent off the mat. Ramirez is into theater ("I drive two departments nuts," he said); Lamoreaux is a graphic artist who developed the logo for Milton Hershey head coach Chris Cassel's soon-to-open winery.

"I asked Nick if he wanted a project, and he said sure," Cassel said. "I told him what I was looking for, and about 20 e-mails later, he'd designed exactly what I was looking for."

Nazareth's Zach Horan is the Lehigh Valley's best chance for a state title.

Express-Times Photo | MATT SMITHNazareth's Zach Horan, in control, is a two-time silver medalist in the PIAA Class AAA Wrestling Championships. He will begin his quest for the gold during Thursday's first round at Hershey's Giant Center. The PIAA Wrestling Championships start Thursday at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pa. Accordingly, this grappling guru will put percentages on the chances of striking state gold for some of the hopefuls from the Lehigh Valley.

Anthony Cabrera, Liberty, 103 pounds: Cabrera was ranked fourth in the state in the latest release of PennsylvaniaWrestlingRankings.com. Junior Jordan Conway of New Oxford is ranked No. 1 but is on other side of bracket. No. 2 Austin Miller of Hempfield is on the same side as Cabrera. Even with a lingering shoulder injury, the Hurricanes' district/regional champ is hitting his stride. Percentage of striking gold: 20 percent.

Zach Horan, Nazareth, 125 pounds: Horan is a two-time silver medalist who is on a mission. The junior is ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania. Undefeated Mitchell Port of Bellfonte is No. 2 but on other side of the bracket. Horan is the best wrestler in the state to never win PIAA gold. That should change. Percent: 80.

Mitchell Minotti, Easton, 130 pounds: Minotti is much-improved over last season when he placed seventh in the state at 119. The sophomore is No. 2 in Pennsylvania but this weight class appears wide open. No. 1 Steve Spearman of Erie McDowell, who is 38-0, is on the opposite side of bracket. Plenty of obstacles but not impossible. Percent: 33.3.

Mark Hartenstine, Easton, 140 pounds: Hartenstine could be best wrestler EVER from Easton to never win a district or regional title. Hard to believe but this talented Maryland-bound senior is without a postseason championship. Of course, defending state champ Josh Kindig of Blue Mountain again is in Hartenstine's path. Kindig defeated the Red Rover in the district and regional final. Kindig is ranked No. 1; Hartenstine No. 2. But the challenger must stay focused for three matches before taking on the champ in Saturday night's final. Percent: 7.5.

Austin Sommer, Northampton, 152 pounds: Sommer is an accomplished wrestler who won district/regional titles this year but is often overlooked. If the Konkrete Kids' senior can win his first two matches -- no easy task -- he will likely meet undefeated No. 1-ranked state champion Dylan Alton of Central Mountain in the semifinals. Sommer is one of District 11's best wrestlers, but is in the wrong weight class. Percent: 2.5.

Others to watch: Anthony Marino, Liberty, 119; Ryan Krecker, Nazareth, 145; Mike Ottinger, Parkland, 145; Taray Carey, Whitehall, 189.  

Randy Cruz, Bethlehem Catholic, 112 pounds: As the Golden Hawks sophomore said after claiming the Southeast Regional title on Saturday night, "I feel like I'm on fire." Indeed. Cruz looks better than ever after three major decisions in the regional tournament. Of course, the competition toughens Thursday but Cruz appears prepared. Cruz is ranked No. 5 in the state but on the right side of the bracket as Nos. 1, 2 and 3 all are on the same side. Though not the favorite, Cruz is my pick. Percent: 45.

Mikey Racciato, Pen Argyl, 130 pounds: Just a freshman, Racciato is one of the most talented wrestlers in the Lehigh Valley and possesses a bright future. He lost to Boiling Springs senior Joe Spisak in the Southeast Regional final, 7-3. Racciato is ranked No. 6 and No. 1-ranked Frank Martellotti of Shady Side Academy looms in the semifinals, assuming the Green Knight wins his first two. Percent: 15.

Phil Racciato, Pen Argyl, 145 pounds: It's a tough road to a state title for the senior district/regional champion. He is ranked No. 5 with one unbeaten foe on each side of the bracket. Racciato, though, is a big-move specialist with the capability of knocking off even the best of the best. Percent: 15.

Kyle Dehaut, Bethlehem Catholic, 152 pounds: Like Racciato, Dehaut is a big-move specialist who has been on a roll through the district and regional tournaments. The junior is ranked No. 7 but spoke confidently about his ability to compete with anyone in the state tournament. Dehaut will need a few breaks -- and land a couple cement jobs. Percent: 10.

Ian Gimbar, Saucon Valley, 189 pounds -- Football player who rounded into form late in the season and is coming off gold-medal efforts at districts and regionals. The Panthers junior is ranked No. 6 in the state but is 2-1 vs. fourth-ranked Garth Lakitsky of Tamaqua. Unbeaten No. 2 Stephan Ceremuga of Commodore Perry is on the same side of the bracket as Gimbar. Percent: 20.

Others to watch: Jamie Welsh, Pen Argyl, 112; Luke DeLuise, Pius X, 171; Colin Hedash, Northern Lehigh, 171.

KANSAS CITY (March 8, 2010) – Tyler Stinson, a 24-year-old native of Winfield, Kan., was the unanimous winner of an open tryout sponsored by Bellator Fighting Championships on Saturday, earning him a chance to fight in Bellator’s upcoming nationally-televised event at the Kansas City Power & Light District on April 29th.

Stinson was one of 72 fighters from as far away as New York, California, Texas and Arizona to travel to Lenexa, Kan., for the tryout, which was judged by Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney and a panel of other top Bellator talent executives. Participants included former veterans of the WEC, IFL and other top promotions.

“The talent level that we saw at this tryout was very solid,” Rebney said. “To have fighters come in on busses, trains and planes from around the country is very humbling. These guys just want a shot and I only wish that we could give that opportunity to every one of them. Our decision was a difficult one, but Tyler separated himself with great grappling and a well-rounded MMA arsenal. I’m looking forward to seeing him fight on April 29th.”

Stinson, though just 24, boasts a professional record of 16-5 in a wide variety of regional promotions across the Midwest and in Florida. Notably, he is one of only two fighters to notch a victory against 17-2 Eric Marriott, a competitor in Bellator’s upcoming eight-man featherweight tournament. Stinson will enter the April 29th Bellator event on a three-fight win-streak with all three wins coming via first round stoppages (armbar, triangle choke and TKO-punches).

“This whole experience was just awesome,” Stinson told reporters after the event. “To hear my name called at the end of the day was just unbelievable. I’m really almost speechless right now. Bellator is just such a great organization and I’m excited for the chance to fight in front of my family and friends in Kansas City.”

The second-place finisher at the event was 27-year-old Leonardo Pecanha, a native of Brazil now fighting out of Omaha, Neb. Pecanha, who boasts a pro record of 11-6, is now being considered by Bellator for an open slot at one of its May events.

The April 29th event is one of four that Bellator will be staging at the highly popular Kansas City Power & Light District. The Power & Light District encompasses multiple square blocks in the heart of Kansas City’s downtown area and features an exciting blend of restaurants, nightlife, and shopping, welcoming in excess of 6 million visitors annually.

Tickets are on sale now at Tickemaster.com, at the Midland Theater box office downtown, and in select Power & Light District venues. Check out www.powerandlightdistrict.com for more information on ticket availability.

Additional Bellator fights will be held at the Kansas City Power & Light District on:

- June 24, 2010 – Bellator XXIV

- August 26, 2010 – Bellator XXVII

- October 14, 2010 – Bellator XXXIV

These and all other Bellator fights during its second and third seasons will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Net and during special Bellator highlight shows on NBC and Telemundo.

For more information, visit www.bellator.com.

About Bellator Fighting Championships

Bellator Fighting Championships is a Mixed Martial Arts promotional company with offices in Los Angeles and Chicago. Bellator’s founder/CEO, Bjorn Rebney, is an experienced fighting sports and entertainment professional with a deep commitment to the purity and integrity of the sport of MMA and its athletes. Bellator Fighting Championships’ executive team is comprised of top industry professionals in the areas of live event production, television production, fighter relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.

About The Cordish Company

The Cordish Company (www.cordish.com), now in its fourth generation of family ownership, is a multi-billion dollar conglomerate including one of the leading gaming, entertainment and real estate development companies in the United States. The Company has diverse development expertise with divisions focused on Entertainment & Mixed-Use, Gaming & Lodging, Sports Anchored Districts, Shopping & Lifestyle Retail, Office and Residential. The Cordish Company also owns and manages a diverse group of operating businesses, ranging from gaming, restaurants/clubs to live music promotion and film/media distribution. The company values itself on the quality of its operations, its long-term relationships, and high level of integrity in all of its endeavors.

The Cordish Company is the largest and most successful developer of entertainment districts and concepts in the United States. In particular, the company has unparalleled experience in creating and revitalizing high-profile destinations in urban core locations. Many of the Cordish Company’s projects involve public/private partnerships and are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. Prime examples are the company’s prominent role in the redevelopment of Baltimore’s world-famous Inner Harbor; Atlantic City, NJ; Hollywood, FL; Charleston, SC; Houston, TX; Louisville, KY; Tampa, FL, Kansas City, MO; and Towson, MD.

The Cordish Company has received the highest possible national awards in its various areas of expertise. In real estate, the Cordish Company has received an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards of Excellence.

About the Kansas City Power & Light District

The Kansas City Power & Light District (www.power&lightdistrict.com) is a vibrant, new eight-block neighborhood in the heart of downtown Kansas City that is redefining the City from its skyline to its sidewalks. The District links together the renovated Bartle Hall Convention Center, the new Sprint Center, offices, hotels, entertainment, cultural destinations and residential developments. The $850 million mixed-use District anchors $5 billion of complimentary development efforts in downtown Kansas City. The combination of entertainment, retail, nightlife and residential with the District’s imaginative and innovative design, has revitalized and rejuvenated downtown Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY (March 8, 2010) – Tyler Stinson, a 24-year-old native of Winfield, Kan., was the unanimous winner of an open tryout sponsored by Bellator Fighting Championships on Saturday, earning him a chance to fight in Bellator’s upcoming nationally-televised event at the Kansas City Power & Light District on April 29th.

Stinson was one of 72 fighters from as far away as New York, California, Texas and Arizona to travel to Lenexa, Kan., for the tryout, which was judged by Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney and a panel of other top Bellator talent executives. Participants included former veterans of the WEC, IFL and other top promotions.

“The talent level that we saw at this tryout was very solid,” Rebney said. “To have fighters come in on busses, trains and planes from around the country is very humbling. These guys just want a shot and I only wish that we could give that opportunity to every one of them. Our decision was a difficult one, but Tyler separated himself with great grappling and a well-rounded MMA arsenal. I’m looking forward to seeing him fight on April 29th.”

Stinson, though just 24, boasts a professional record of 16-5 in a wide variety of regional promotions across the Midwest and in Florida. Notably, he is one of only two fighters to notch a victory against 17-2 Eric Marriott, a competitor in Bellator’s upcoming eight-man featherweight tournament. Stinson will enter the April 29th Bellator event on a three-fight win-streak with all three wins coming via first round stoppages (armbar, triangle choke and TKO-punches).

“This whole experience was just awesome,” Stinson told reporters after the event. “To hear my name called at the end of the day was just unbelievable. I’m really almost speechless right now. Bellator is just such a great organization and I’m excited for the chance to fight in front of my family and friends in Kansas City.”

The second-place finisher at the event was 27-year-old Leonardo Pecanha, a native of Brazil now fighting out of Omaha, Neb. Pecanha, who boasts a pro record of 11-6, is now being considered by Bellator for an open slot at one of its May events.

The April 29th event is one of four that Bellator will be staging at the highly popular Kansas City Power & Light District. The Power & Light District encompasses multiple square blocks in the heart of Kansas City’s downtown area and features an exciting blend of restaurants, nightlife, and shopping, welcoming in excess of 6 million visitors annually.

Tickets are on sale now at Tickemaster.com, at the Midland Theater box office downtown, and in select Power & Light District venues. Check out www.powerandlightdistrict.com for more information on ticket availability.

Additional Bellator fights will be held at the Kansas City Power & Light District on:

- June 24, 2010 – Bellator XXIV

- August 26, 2010 – Bellator XXVII

- October 14, 2010 – Bellator XXXIV

These and all other Bellator fights during its second and third seasons will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Net and during special Bellator highlight shows on NBC and Telemundo.

For more information, visit www.bellator.com.

About Bellator Fighting Championships

Bellator Fighting Championships is a Mixed Martial Arts promotional company with offices in Los Angeles and Chicago. Bellator’s founder/CEO, Bjorn Rebney, is an experienced fighting sports and entertainment professional with a deep commitment to the purity and integrity of the sport of MMA and its athletes. Bellator Fighting Championships’ executive team is comprised of top industry professionals in the areas of live event production, television production, fighter relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.

About The Cordish Company

The Cordish Company (www.cordish.com), now in its fourth generation of family ownership, is a multi-billion dollar conglomerate including one of the leading gaming, entertainment and real estate development companies in the United States. The Company has diverse development expertise with divisions focused on Entertainment & Mixed-Use, Gaming & Lodging, Sports Anchored Districts, Shopping & Lifestyle Retail, Office and Residential. The Cordish Company also owns and manages a diverse group of operating businesses, ranging from gaming, restaurants/clubs to live music promotion and film/media distribution. The company values itself on the quality of its operations, its long-term relationships, and high level of integrity in all of its endeavors.

The Cordish Company is the largest and most successful developer of entertainment districts and concepts in the United States. In particular, the company has unparalleled experience in creating and revitalizing high-profile destinations in urban core locations. Many of the Cordish Company’s projects involve public/private partnerships and are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. Prime examples are the company’s prominent role in the redevelopment of Baltimore’s world-famous Inner Harbor; Atlantic City, NJ; Hollywood, FL; Charleston, SC; Houston, TX; Louisville, KY; Tampa, FL, Kansas City, MO; and Towson, MD.

The Cordish Company has received the highest possible national awards in its various areas of expertise. In real estate, the Cordish Company has received an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards of Excellence.

About the Kansas City Power & Light District

The Kansas City Power & Light District (www.power&lightdistrict.com) is a vibrant, new eight-block neighborhood in the heart of downtown Kansas City that is redefining the City from its skyline to its sidewalks. The District links together the renovated Bartle Hall Convention Center, the new Sprint Center, offices, hotels, entertainment, cultural destinations and residential developments. The $850 million mixed-use District anchors $5 billion of complimentary development efforts in downtown Kansas City. The combination of entertainment, retail, nightlife and residential with the District’s imaginative and innovative design, has revitalized and rejuvenated downtown Kansas City.

Saturday March 20 MMA of Bowie welcomes Sergio Penha for a three hour seminar. He will also be offering private, one-on-one classes. Advance registration is highly recommended. The seminar will be split up into two sessions with part gi and part no gi.

6950 Laurel Bowie Rd,
Bowie, MD 20715-1710
MAP

More information on the official site.

KANSAS CITY (March 1, 2010) – Bellator Fighting Championships, Everlast and The Kansas City Power & Light District announced today that they are sponsoring an open tryout that will provide a once-in-a-lifetime chance for undiscovered fighters to earn a spot in one of the promotion’s upcoming nationally televised Season 2 events.

The winner will participate in a featured fight during Bellator’s April 29th event at the Power & Light District, a state-of-the-art, open-air, mixed-use entertainment venue at the center of downtown Kansas City owned and operated by The Cordish Company. The event, like all of Bellator’s Season 2 and 3 events, will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Net and during special highlight shows on NBC and Telemundo.

The tryouts–which are presented in partnership with Everlast–will take place on Saturday, March 6th at Ringside, Inc.’s John Brown Training Center in Lenexa, Kansas. Members of the media are cordially invited to attend. Fighter registration begins at 12 noon with tryouts starting at 1 p.m.

“In the spirit of Rocky Balboa, this tryout will give an undiscovered up-and-coming fighter the chance of a lifetime to be highlighted on a national stage,” said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “We look forward to seeing a solid pool of fighters who are looking for their shot to compete at a world-class level.”

Professional Mixed Martial Arts fighters with valid Federal ID cards are encouraged to sign up. The open tryouts will be held in a cage and will include grappling and bag-striking. Competitors will be judged by Bellator Fighting Championships executives and officials. To participate, fighters must provide proof of at least two professional fights. Participants are expected to bring their Federal I.D. and their own protective gear.

The April 29th event is one of four that Bellator will be staging at the highly popular Kansas City Power & Light District. The Power & Light District encompasses multiple square blocks in the heart of Kansas City’s downtown area and features an exciting blend of restaurants, nightlife, and shopping, welcoming in excess of 6 million visitors annually.

“This tryout is the kickoff event for a spring and summer of excitement the likes of which Kansas City hasn’t seen before,” said Nick Benjamin, executive director of the Power & Light District. “It’s a great opportunity for a local talent to make his name in front of thousands of his fellow Kansas Citians in Kansas City Live!1—and the millions who’ll be watching on national TV—during the first main event on April 29.”

Tickets for the event go on sale March 6 at Tickemaster.com and at the Midland Theater box office downtown. Tickets will also be available at the tryout event and in select Power & Light District venues. Check out www.powerandlightdistrict.com for more information on ticket availability.

Dates for the Kansas City Power & Light District events are as follows:

- April 29, 2010 – Bellator XVI

- June 24, 2010 – Bellator XXIV

- August 26, 2010 – Bellator XXVII

- October 14, 2010 – Bellator XXXIV

For more information, visit www.bellator.com.

About Bellator Fighting Championships

Bellator Fighting Championships is a Mixed Martial Arts promotional company with offices in Los Angeles and Chicago. Bellator’s founder/CEO, Bjorn Rebney, is an experienced fighting sports and entertainment professional with a deep commitment to the purity and integrity of the sport of MMA and its athletes. Bellator Fighting Championships’ executive team is comprised of top industry professionals in the areas of live event production, television production, fighter relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.

About The Cordish Company

The Cordish Company (www.cordish.com), now in its fourth generation of family ownership, is a multi-billion dollar conglomerate including one of the leading gaming, entertainment and real estate development companies in the United States. The Company has diverse development expertise with divisions focused on Entertainment & Mixed-Use, Gaming & Lodging, Sports Anchored Districts, Shopping & Lifestyle Retail, Office and Residential. The Cordish Company also owns and manages a diverse group of operating businesses, ranging from gaming, restaurants/clubs to live music promotion and film/media distribution. The company values itself on the quality of its operations, its long-term relationships, and high level of integrity in all of its endeavors.

The Cordish Company is the largest and most successful developer of entertainment districts and concepts in the United States. In particular, the company has unparalleled experience in creating and revitalizing high-profile destinations in urban core locations. Many of the Cordish Company’s projects involve public/private partnerships and are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. Prime examples are the company’s prominent role in the redevelopment of Baltimore’s world-famous Inner Harbor; Atlantic City, NJ; Hollywood, FL; Charleston, SC; Houston, TX; Louisville, KY; Tampa, FL, Kansas City, MO; and Towson, MD.

The Cordish Company has received the highest possible national awards in its various areas of expertise. In real estate, the Cordish Company has received an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards of Excellence.

About the Kansas City Power & Light District

The Kansas City Power & Light District (www.power&lightdistrict.com) is a vibrant, new eight-block neighborhood in the heart of downtown Kansas City that is redefining the City from its skyline to its sidewalks. The District links together the renovated Bartle Hall Convention Center, the new Sprint Center, offices, hotels, entertainment, cultural destinations and residential developments. The $850 million mixed-use District anchors $5 billion of complimentary development efforts in downtown Kansas City. The combination of entertainment, retail, nightlife and residential with the District’s imaginative and innovative design, has revitalized and rejuvenated downtown Kansas City.

On Saturday, at the USAPL Navy Winter Open in Annapolis, Maryland, junior Matt Nolan (220) pulled the third ranked deadlift on the Lifter Rankings.

If you are interested in learning some great techniques, and how to master Mike Fowler’s unstoppable sweep, then you don’t want to miss it! The cost is $50 and it is going to be held from 1pm-3:30pm.

88 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
6801 Douglas Legum Dr.
Elkridge, MD 21075
MAP

More information on the official site.