Sept. 16, Northern Kentucky University’s Tae Kwon Do club headed up to Dayton, Ohio to compete in the Hara Arena Conference and Exhibition Center, and though the team members may have fought with their own two feet, they were far from alone in the arena.

“It’s not just a club; we’re also a team,” said Danielle Wallace, a black belt who came home with some gold around her neck. Some members of the TKD club who weren’t competing traveled to Dayton to support and coach their teammates.

The collection of medals has been an accomplishment for the members. This weekend, the team earned four gold and three silver medals, and no competitor came home empty handed.

Some of the medals went to senior Matthew Kelley with a silver, senior from the University of Cincinnati Misty Leaderer with a silver, Renee Sweney with a gold and second year graduate student Shannon Blevens with both gold and silver.

The competition displayed fighting and technique in form, mostly in the Taeguek style and full-contact Olympic style sparring. The club has competed in many events and won several medals for their performances.

The team sent two members to nationals during the summer and brought home a silver medal, placing the TKD Club among the best in the country. NKU also hosts several tournaments throughout the year, one of which is in October.