Top Competitor Bio






  
Photos Of Our Tournament Top Competitors...



   
William Cornell
Bio: William Cornell
National & World Champion
4Th Degree Black Belt

Diamond Ring Winner-
Diamond Nationals 2009

NASKA National Traditional Japanese/Okinawan
Forms Champion

WSKF Traditional Weapons
World Champion

Chief Instructor-
Nicklaus Martial Arts America

WCornell.com- for additional information

WCornell.com

William Cornell Videos




 
Olivia Wicker
Bio: Olivia Wicker
World Champion

Traditional
Traditional Bo
Open Weapons
Olivia Wicker Video

2008 Twin Towers Video




 
Tony Forneris
Bio: Tony Forneris
Grand Champion
Biography provided by Tony himself...

"I’ve been training with Sensei Wancket for about 11 years.

I joined her program through Park Nicollet Health Center and I have been studying with her ever since. I excelled through the ranks all the way to black belt and in the end it was well worth it.

I've competed on her local competition team for about 9 years, been a top competitor locally for many years, winning many Grand Championships. Recently, I moved up the ranks in the national tournaments around the United States, where I compete in the 18 to 29 year old Black Belt Okinawan Form division.

I continue to train with Sensei Wancket on a regular basis and I love every minute of it."


Tony Forneris Video 2007 Diamond Nationals

Tony's Form




 
Jessica Koenig
Bio: Jessica Koenig
Forms/Fighting Grand Champion

Jessica Koenig Video

Jessica Koenig Fighting Video




   
Brittany Frasz
Bio: Brittany Frasz
Grand Champion















 

Photos Of Former Instructors And Students...
 
Instructor: Bill Gannage
Bio: Bill Gannage
Bill began studying With Sensei Wancket in 1996, after watching both his son, Ryan, and daughter, Melissa, (started later after also watching Ryan), take karate lessons with Sensei Wancket.

Bill earned his 1st degree black belt in 1999 and his 2nd degree black belt in 2001.

When asked about his involvement with the program, Bill often recognizes the pleasure he receives from watching these young adults succeed, when in other things they may have often struggled.

Bill enjoys Golf, Karate, and spending time at "the Ranch" with his horses and dogs.


   
Instructor: Shirley Hoppis
Bio: Shirley Hoppis
Shirley watched her son, Andrew, take karate lessons in May of 1997 from the stage area of the dojo for over a year. She was tired of just watching karate, she wanted to do it. So... she says, " I begged Ms. Wancket and Ms. Anne to let me learn karate too."

September 8, 1998 was her first class. Shirley received her 1st degree black belt in April of 2001, and her 2nd degree black belt in 2004.

Shirley loves teaching and doing karate. She enjoys the students at our dojo and appreciates their parents.

When Sensei Wancket asked Shirley to be an instructor, it was... and still is, a dream come true. Shirley says she feels very privileged to learn from Sensei Wancket and to be one of her instructors at the school.



 
 
Instructor: Anne Farber
Bio: Anne Farber
Anne's sons, Chris and Matt, were in the first ever Wancket's Art of Karate class, upon recommendation of Dr. Alexander. Anne helped hold pads in class and later was asked by Sensei Wancket to join the class. So, Anne started her studies in karate in October of 1993.

She began teaching in 1994, as a yellow belt. Anne loves working with children and seeing that they have fun and success in class.

Anne earned her 1st degree black belt in 1998 and her second degree in 2000.

Anne worked for 17 years at Honeywell Inc., and 6 years at Schuler Shoes. She is now an Orthotic Lab Tech. at Promet Inc.

Anne's interests include karate, gardening, fishing, and boating.


 
 
Instructor: Steve Garren
Bio: Steve Garren
Steve studied Taekwondo at National Karate from 1995 through 1997.

He started his Shorei-Ryu studies at Wancket's Art of Karate with his son, Nick, in 2002.

Helping students to improve their karate technique and power are just two of the things Steve enjoys about teaching karate.

In the 2004-2005 tournament season,
Steve earned 1st place in 4 state and regional tournaments in his division, for Traditional Karate Forms.

Steve earned his black belt in 2007.

Steve earned his Bachelors Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1983. He is the web designer for this website.

Steve enjoys karate and golf.

Students and parents can contact Steve using the email link below.


   
Instructor: Ron Forneris
Bio: Ron Forneris
All we really know about Ron so far is
that he is Tony's dad,
(and Tony is a very talented black belt),

Ron has won trophies
as part of team "Achey Bones"...
and someday we hope that he will
provide a better bio than this one
to us for you to see.


   
 
Instructor: Joyce Brekke
-OWNER OF JK MARTIAL ARTS
Bio: Joyce Brekke
Joyce observed her daughter, Katie, achieve her black belt in October of 2004.

At her daughter’s suggestion, Joyce eagerly started taking karate lessons.

The first year she entered tournaments she won 1st place in every tournament she entered; 11 trophies. She has since added to that number!

Teaching has been integral in Joyce’s life, as a swimming instructor, baton instructor, respiratory care instructor, in health care management and sales management.

Her enthusiasm for the art of karate and her disciplined focus is transmitted to her students. They like her supportive manner and her understanding of how each student learns and progresses.

Joyce expresses with humbleness the honor she feels as an instructor of this ancient art, and the value of being taught by a very talented and skilled Sensei Wancket-Yue.

Joyce and her daughter
Sensei Katie Pierren
now own and run JK Martial Arts to continue Shorei-ryu studies for Sensei Wancket-Yue's former students.



Instructor: John Pullis
Bio: John Pullis
John Pullis has studied karate with Sensei Wancket-Yue since September of 2004, joining his son Jake and his class, the "Chargers". John feels happy and humble to be studying the ancient art of Shorei-Ryu and to be one in the unbroken timeline back to the original Sensei.

John has lived in Chaska, MN for the past 7 years, with his wife of almost 25 years, Jake and Sadie, the best dog in the world.

John earned his Bachelors degree from LaSalle College in 1982, then attended The New York Restaurant School and The School for American Chefs in Napa Valley, California. John has been Executive Chef for Twin City Grill, Tucci Benucch, and the Magic Pan Creperie.

John was thrilled when Sensei asked him to join the team of instructors. John's interests include cycling, weightlifting, literature, history and politics.


#1
Chris Farber was the very first student
ever recommended to Wancket's Karate
at its inception in 1993
by our school's founder Dr. Jeffrey Alexander.
Chris is a black belt,
and many years later
is still involved with the karate school.