Basin athletes compete at Battle on the Columbia

Freewind Martial Arts Studio students gather for a group photo at the Battle on the Columbia tournament in Kennewick. Six students competed in the daylong tournament in sparring, weapons and stick sparring.

Serjio Madrigales sparring for Freewind Martial Arts. Madrigales won the Junior Grand Championship for the youth group at the Battle on the Columbia tournament.

Freewind’s Matthias Kalmbach, left, and Jessie Young, right, cheer on their peers during the Battle on the Columbia tournament in Kennewick. Instructor Brandi Guertin said martial arts may be an individual performance, but it helps to have a team of people supporting them.

Jessie Young, left, Megan Lara, middle, and Sara Byrd, right, watch the forms competition at the Battle on the Columbia tournament. Each student placed in the top three, with Young winning the Junior Grand Championship in her group.