Michael Sybert, left, and Master Robert Zang brought home trophies to the Cranberry Township Young Brothers Tae Kown Do school from the 36th U.S. Open Martial Arts Championships recently. Sybert, a Penn State student, captured first place in the men's heavyweight sparring division. His instructor, Master Zang, won grand champion in men's sparring and patterns.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. Students from Young Brothers Tae Kwon Do Institute in Cranberry Township and Butler competed at the 36th U.S. Open Martial Arts Championships at the University of Charleston recently.

Master instructor Robert Zang, a sixth-degree black belt, took first in men's lightweight black belt sparring and black belt patterns. He also won grand champion in sparring and patterns.

Michael Sybert, a third-degree black belt, won the men's heavyweight black belt sparring competition and also finished second in adult black belt breaking.

Ronnie Sankey, a third-degree black belt and the 2008 Young Brothers tournament grand champion, won first place in women's black belt patterns and second place in women's black belt sparring.

Other trophy winners included:

• Chris Wolden, first, age 16-17 black belt sparring.

• Adam Dorko, first age 13-15 patterns; 2nd, men's middleweight black belt sparring.

• Carter Moriarity, first, age 15 and under black belt breaking.

• Lake Sankey, first, age 11-12, black belt patterns and sparring.

• Josh Stebbins, first, age 9-10 black belt sparring.

• Gregory Spirk, second, men's lightweight black belt sparring.

• Darren Norris, second, men's black belt patterns.

• Ron Sankey, second, senior men's black belt patterns.

• Daniel Popp, second, age 15 and under black belt breaking.

• Yosen Wang, second, age 9-10 patterns.

• Carl Ellenberger, third, adult men's black belt sparring.

• Bernie Riley, third, adult beginner color belt sparring

• Rebekah Rikely, third, adult beginner color belt patterns.

• Futen Wang, third, age 7-8 advanced patterns.

Master Tim Curci is the instructor of the Butler school.