Fairview Heights,Illinois hosted the 2004 Prairie State Games. This year was very sad as just three weeks earlier, Sensei Dave Smith, one of the hosts of the games, passed away suddenly. His wife Judy, carried on with the games despite the fact some people were sure the games would be cancelled. The Friday before was a seminar which I wish I could have attended, and a presentation was made to Judy Smith in which sheand her husband were awarded the 'Coaches of the year' award.

A fairly good size crowd turned up and had a very good day of martial arts competition.

Group shot with Steve - sporting trendy new hair cut! Carl, Katie and C.J. Katie and C.J. both won a couple of firsts for kata and kumite.

Once again, this tournament had no attitudes, no whining about points, just a good time for all. Pawnee Shotokan was represented by just three this year, Steve, Katie and C.J Clarizio. Sensei Carl Clarizio helped out with the judging as well. We came home with 5 first places and a second.

Katie Clarizio at the start of her kata Bassai Dai.

Some of the clubs represented were: Pawnee Shotokan, Kifaru Jutsu, Mid America Kenpo Jitsu, Ofallon Shotokan, Hap Ki Do, Shito Ryu and the Goju club from the YMCA in Springfield.
Soke Dr.Stanford McNeal Sr, did an excellent job of running things too.

Jade Pflug from Mid America Karate in Springfield, won about six first place medals , and rightly so, she was fantastic.

She did, as I remember, kata, weapons, musical weapons kata, kumite and probably six other things too.