Impact Martial Arts & Fitness
November 2025 Graduates
About the Graduates
3rd Degree Top Gun Black Belt
Sara Cruikshank - 3rd Degree Team Leader
Hi, I'm Sara and I've been training at Team Feidt and doing karate since I was 6 years old. I am now almost 15, and train at the dojo weekly. In addition to karate, I run varsity outdoor track in the spring. I am in 10th grade at Liverpool high school and play alto saxophone in jazz band as well as first chair flute and piccolo in concert band. During the summers, I work for my dad at the pond and rock shop. Just this past summer, I also got hired at Vicky's tasty treats. This past summer it was definitely a challenge going to work at multiple places, going to karate runs, and taking class. Sometimes even doing all 3 of those things in one day. Another challenge that I had to overcome over the summer was learning what it was like being team leader for the first time, and it has truly been a very positive experience this whole cycle. I have been looking forward to getting my 3rd degree black belt for years now and cannot wait to graduate with all of the other amazing candidates.
2nd Degree All-Star Black Belts
Andrew Call - 2nd Degree Black Belt
My name is Andrew Call and I am 15 years old. I have trained at Team Feidt for many years. After I earned my first degree black belt I joined the fight team. I didn’t have any fights for a while because my mom was hesitant, she eventually did cave and so far I have had 4 fights including nationals which I plan to compete in again this year. I train with my dad who is also on the fight team and helps me train inside and outside of camp. Outside of the dojo I enjoy starting various different projects, these normally include building or coding something. During school I am in the band in which I play the tenor saxophone.
Saria Deal- 2nd Degree Black Belt
I am Saria Deal, a 1st Degree black belt at the Team Feidt dojo, I have been coming to the dojo over half of my life, I am in 7th Grade and I go to Liverpool Middle, last year I got the Outstanding student award for getting Honor Roll throughout the whole year. Throughout my Karate journey I have made great friends and love to hang out with them whenever I can outside of Karate. Last year I went to Seabreeze with my band and I had a really fun time with my friends. And this
year our French teacher will be taking us on Coach buses to Quebec City so that's really exciting! I also help my grandfather who trains at the dojo, with whatever he needs work on, and I help him with as much as I can with the stuff I know. I love Family gatherings where I get to see my little cousin Myles, and sometimes my Uncles, Jackson and Nick. I love to play with my Cousin and play Uno with my Grandma, I love taking her dogs for walks and just talking about the most random stuff. I
love playing board games with my parents and reading books in my Book nook. I love when in the summer time we have family cookouts and going in my grandma’s pool after, and in the winter time when we go outside and play in the snow, and then when we dry off and get hot chocolate afterwards.
Connor Jennings - 2nd Degree Black Belt
Hi, my name is Connor Jennings. I am 12 years old and in 7th grade at Morgan Road Middle School. I live in Liverpool with my mom, dad, little sister, and dog, Lila. I started karate through a program at my school, Elmcrest Elementary, when I was 6 years old and in first grade. I also play the trumpet, like to draw, and enjoy running and playing basketball. I love camping with my family, playing with Legos, and shooting nerf guns.
My favorite thing about karate are the weapon katas. Thanks to my karate training I am stronger and more confident. I have learned to face my fears and overcome them. After earning my first degree black belt, I overcame my fear of sparring, and I am confident in my abilities. I joined the demo team because I thought it was fun and interesting. It has helped me learn new moves and give me a chance to perform.
Leah Rapke - 2nd Degree Black Belt
My name is Leah Rapke and I am 12 years old. I live in Baldwinsville NY and I’m in 7th grade at Donald S. Ray Middle School. I started karate at Impact Martial Arts in February 2020 right when COVID hit and did a lot of my first classes on zoom. I most recently achieved my 1st degree black belt on November 18th, 2023. I live with my mom, dad, 15 year old sister and our new puppy Kona. I spend a lot of time with my extended family and friends. This year my mom joined karate, she is an orange belt. I am so proud of her for making this decision. Another activity that I started doing this year was volleyball. I recently made my school's modified volleyball team with my friends.
1st Degree Black Belts
Bentley Argy - 1st Degree Black Belt
My name is Bentley Argy, and I am 10 years old. I started karate as a young little dragon and continued working my way up thru the ranks, to now getting my black belt. In addition to karate, I spent a lot of time playing baseball, where I earned a spot on the All-Stars team for a summer. I enjoy playing golf, going fishing, chopping wood, and working on projects around the house. I also participate in my school’s band playing the trumpet, as well as sing in the chorus. Something special about me is that I have autism and I’m learning everyday how to persevere thru challenges that come with it. Karate has been the biggest outlet and sense of safety and security for me. My journey with private lessons and fight training with Mr. Z and Sensei Maloney have really helped me find my confidence and strength. My Mom, my Dad, and my three sisters are also really big supporters of mine and I’m so thankful to have them in my corner all the time. We love to spend our time as a family either at our seasonal camp, or at home hanging out. We always find fun adventures to go on, or cool games to play together.
Antonio Garofalo - 1st Degree Black Belt
My name is Antonio, martial arts has become a big aspect of my life ever since I started to train. I was inspired to begin because I wanted to learn how to defend myself and become more confident, and over time it’s helped me to grow in lots of ways. My family has a history of martial arts, my dad had trained when he was younger and so did my aunt and some of my cousins. So it’s always been around me and something that I have respected. Outside of training, I like to stay active by working out regularly which helps me stay focused and I even did wrestling which made me stop doing karate for a bit which was tough.. Balancing school, work, and training is obviously not easy but it’s helped me to manage my time and stay committed even when things get rough. I’ve gained lots of confidence and self-control through martial arts, and I’ve learned how to stay calm and think during tense situations. These lessons have helped me in many ways throughout my life and have taught me discipline, respect, and perseverance.
Olivia Lorini- 1st Degree Black Belt
I am 10 years old in the 5th grade at Soule Road Elementary. I like to dance, sing, draw, hang out with friends, and play with my pets. A fun fact is I’ve been playing trombone for almost 2 years now. I love to listen to Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter.
I never thought I would make it this far, but I did. I’m proud to be achieving my black belt at a young age. I am super glad I joined karate. It made my life change, but it also helped me.
Memphis Nicklaw - 1st Degree Black Belt
I know what it feels like to lose. You probably all do. On February 8, 2022, I took my first lesson. I didn' t know that I would be here, receiving this belt. Life has been up and down, and sometimes I felt like quitting. In the end, I said I wouldn't quit, and well... Here I am now. Outside of karate, I do hip-hop, I'm an avid reader, and I'm a sucker for a good K-Thriller.
Every summer, I attend a summer camp, 'Camp Evergreen'. My grandma and both of my aunts did karate, and were outstanding black belts, and I really look up to them. Another important person I really 'Look up' to is Mr. Wallace. I get a lot of energy and determination from him, especially during runs. I've played alto saxophone for 3 years, and I
attend Cazenovia Middle School and I'm in the 6th grade. I live with my mom and her boyfriend, Kyle, with his 2
sons. Weston, 6 years old, and Jordan, 16 years old and step-daughter Amelia who is 9. Throughout this cycle, my fellow cycle mates have really cheered me on and supported me. I would like to thank Olivia and Bentley for being there in cycle for me. I would also like to thank Leah, Aiden, Thomas, Saria, Sarah, and Connor for being there for me while I trained throughout cycle. My grandmothers, Gretchen and Hari, and my mom were the people who supported me the most, as they paid for me to be able to continue and drove me almost every day. Therefore, I would like to thank everyone who supported me on my journey to black belt.
"Whether you play poker or chess, in an intellectual game, you have to read your opponent. Not by reading their minds, but predicting their reasoning." -Chishiya, Alice In Borderland
Graduating Black Belt Class of November 2025
