Master Erik Gavula, left, instructor of the Young Brothers school in Cranberry Township, captured grand champion in sparring at the 2014 U.S. Open Martial Arts Tournament in West Virginia in March. At right is Master Darren Norris, a former Butler resident, who earned grand champion in forms.

Students from the Butler and Cranberry Township schools of Young Brothers recently won trophies at the U.S. Open Martial Arts Tournament in West Virginia.

Capturing grand champion sparring was Master Erik Gavula, a 6th degree black belt who heads the Cranberry school. He also captured first place in light weight sparring and breaking and third in forms.

Other winners included Ron Sankey, 4th degree black belt, second in forms; Ronnie Sankey, 4th degree black belt, second in forms; Lake Sankey, 4th degree black belt, second in sparring; Joe DeFazzio, 2nd degree black belt, first in sparring and second in forms and breaking; Dylan Yarrington, 2nd degree black belt; Cherylyn Klause, single black stripe, first in sparring and second in forms; and Viktoria Klause, single black stripe, second in sparring and third in forms.

Former Butler resident Darren Norris, a 4th degree black belt in the Fox Chapel school, captured grand champion in forms. He also captured a first in forms and middle weight sparring.

Young Brother schools are under the leadership of Grand Master Young Bo Kong.