Fourteen members of the Newhall Community Center’s karate team came home with a little more hardware in their suitcases – awards from a national competition in Las Vegas.

The martial artists, all belonging to the City of Santa Clarita’s Newhall Community Center karate team, competed at the 2010 IMAC USA Martial Arts Competition on Jan. 23, along with more than 1,500 participants from the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Every participant from the Newhall Community Center’s karate team managed to place in the tournament, bringing home six first place, five second place and three third place trophies.

“The City of Santa Clarita puts tremendous effort forward to help ensure that community kids can enjoy a host of quality recreational opportunities,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “The Newhall Community Centers karate team’s performance at this recent competition proves how great community programs can bring out the very best in local kids.”

The Newhall Community Center karate team members include Briana Acosta, 9; Yohana Neri, 11; Karen Celis, 12; Yareli Cervantes, 12; Ricky Phelps, 12; Jonathan Perez, 12; Rosa Rodriguez, 12; Araceli Bobadilla, 13; Kelly Cervantes, 15; Karina Ruiz, 16; Jennifer Perez, 17; Carlos Cazares, 18; Enrique Niconar, 38 and Ruben Caldera, 46.

Volunteer instructor Dave Moreno has trained the award-winning team for more than four years at the Newhall Community Center.

For more information on the City of Santa Clarita’s Newhall Community Center karate team, please contact Efren Galindo, Newhall Community Center Sports Coordinator, at (661) 286-4006 x 5055.