Program Mentor
Rank: Black Belt in BJJ
Team: Head Coach for High Noon
Styles Taught: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling

Coach Tim Dawson is an enthusiastic competitor who teaches structured, high-intensity classes to students interested in improving their Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). His high-energy coaching arms students with a powerful and fluid style that melds both offensive and defensive techniques for sport BJJ. As a varsity wrestler and gymnast in high school and now a BJJ competitor, Coach Tim has a long history of preparing for and successfully competing in intense individual sports and activities that require a combination of strength, speed, flexibility, and mental toughness. Coach Tim is an IBJJF certified Black Belt in BJJ under the late Dave “The Rock” Jacobs, an east-coast BJJ legend, and has competed frequently and successfully since 2011. In addition to BJJ, Coach Tim is a strong believer in wrestling as a powerful tool to attain positional dominance in sport BJJ and his wrestling instruction is designed to ensure students are able to use wrestling to dominate the initiative, immediately put opponents on their heels, and put themselves in a strong position to win the match.

Coaching Intern
Team: The Judo Community / High Noon
Styles Taught: Judo

Lauren Meece was an Olympian for the United States at the Sydney Olympics Games in 2000. She now leads efforts to grow Judo in Central Florida and works with judoka at every level. Her internship is focused on learning Judo scouting analytics.

Lauren Meece qualified for the Olympic team at the age of 16 and, at the age of 17, was the youngest ever to compete at the Olympic Games from the United States. Thereafter individuals like Ronda Rousey and Nicole Kubes beat Lauren out of the record.

After a break to pursue career endeavors, Lauren was diagnosed with what was formerly called Asperger's and decided to return to Judo. She wanted give back to the sport that helped her become a better human being throughout the course of her life. Currently, Lauren works as a therapist for individuals on the spectrum and also conducts clinics, private Judo sessions, adaptive group Judo lessons, and also runs an afterschool Judo program. She advocates for mental health awareness amidst a sport that is filled with grit.

Program Mentor
Rank: Sandan
Team: High Noon / Chantilly MMA
Styles Taught: Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Jordan has been a Judo practitioner his entire life. His father is a 5th degree black belt and would often bring him and his brothers to train every week at the various clubs he organized. In addition to Judo, he wrestled for many years. Right after high school, he joined the Marine Corps where he helped with the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and competed with the Armed Forces Judo Team. Jordan is currently a Brown Belt in BJJ and a 3rd degree black belt – Sandan – in Judo. Jordan has won the Maryland Open, Virginia Open, Keystone state games, Takemori Open, Ken Tamai Open multiple times. He has also placed 9th at the Senior Nationals, 3rd place at the Liberty Bell International Open, and 1st place at the AM-CAN International Open. In BJJ he has won the NY Open (blue belt), COPA NOVA, Silver at the DC Open (purple belt), and various other tournaments.

Program Mentor
Rank: Nidan
Team: High Noon
Styles Taught: Judo

Alex Painter competed at the senior level successfully for roughly a decade, and currently is a successful national-level competitor at the veterans level. He completed 2022 as the number-one ranked person in his division and has medals from the National Championships, US Open, and President's Cup. Alex has years of experience as a competitor and coach across multiple sports, including freestyle wrestling. Of note, he has spent many years working with kids where he has been able to harness his past experience as a teacher. His varied athletic background has enabled him to bring in a variety of perspectives for how he teaches.

Program Mentor
Rank: Shodan
Team: High Noon
Styles Taught: Judo

Heidi Holz began Judo in her late 30s but is passionate about Judo and progressed quickly. In 2022 she was named the USJA female veteran competitor of the year and was number one in her division on the USA Judo national roster. She has traveled all over the United States supporting competitors and has coached at the US Senior National Championships. She enjoys working with all levels of judoka but specializes in working with adult beginners and kids.

Program Mentor
Rank: Shodan
Team: High Noon / Sport Judo
Styles Taught: Judo

Nathan Whitney began his journey in judo when he was in college. He has nearly a decade of experience in the art. In 2022, he took bronze in the brown belt division at US Senior Nationals. He is incredibly charitable with his time and assists several programs in the DC area.
(Photo courtesy of Fever Shots)

Nation: United States
Weight Class: 73kgs
Division: Seniors
Team: High Noon

Ryan made the US Cadet, Junior and Senior World Judo team. He trains and has his eyes set on the 2028 LA Olympics. He took bronze in the 2018 Pan American Championships and earned his spot at the 2019 Pan Am Games. Ryan was the former #1 -66kg for USA and knows what it takes to get to the next level. He holds a double black belt in Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He gives back to the community by teaching kids/adults Judo and also sharing his love for both sports on his YouTube channel. His passion for Judo has extended beyond reach as he reached Judo in public and private schools, as well as helping young kids and adults start Judo in their local clubs in Florida.

Nation: United States
Weight Class: Heavyweight
Division: U18 and U21
Team: High Noon / Tampa Florida Judo

Rhadi Ferguson Jr., the daughter of 2004 Olympian Dr. Rhadi Ferguson, is a multiple time national champion and most recently delivered an outstanding performance leading High Noon Judo to victory in the Team National Championship at the USA Judo 2024 Judo National Championships. Invited by Dr. Chris Round, Head Coach of High Noon Judo Club in Alexandria, Virginia, Rhadi Jr.'s contributions were key to the team's success. A standout athlete from Tampa Florida Judo, she demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, helping secure the championship title. Rhadi joined Masters in 2023 and is looking to have stellar breakout senior career in judo.

Dr. Rhadi Ferguson expressed pride in the collaboration between Tampa Florida Judo and High Noon Judo, emphasizing the strength of their partnership and the teamwork that led to their national victory.

Nation: United States
Weight Class: 78kg
Division: Seniors
Team: High Noon / Eastside

Madeline (Maddie) Solis is ranked in the top three in the United States at the 78kg weight class and is a 2x National silver medalist and has medalled at Presidents Cup and US Open. Maddie began her journey in grappling in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but quickly took to Judo under the guidance of coaches such as Russ Hogan and Lkhamdegd Purevjargal.

Nation: United States
Weight Class: -70kgs
Divisions: U18, U21 and Seniors
Team: High Noon

Chloe Williams is a 16-year-old multi-sport athlete, dedicated student, and passionate artist from Virginia. She is a 2x Cadet Pan Am and World Team Member, 2024 Junior World Team member and Senior National Silver medalist. She was a 2x U15 Pan American Silver medalist. She is ranked #1 in cadets, #2 in Juniors and #2 in Seniors. Outside of judo she is a decorated high school basketball, soccer and volleyball player. Outside of sports she is deeply passionate about art and has even sold pieces at local art shows.

Nation: United States
Weight Class: Heavyweight
Division: U21
Team: High Noon / Tampa Florida Judo

Rufus Ferguson is a black belt under his father, Dr. Rhadi Ferguson, and a student at Howard University. He is majoring in supply chain management. Following in his father's footsteps, he plays Division 1 football for Howard University. He is continuing his family's legacy of excellence in sports and academics. As a multi-sport athlete, he seeks to continue to excel in football while continuing to pursue his passion for martial arts, with aspirations to compete in the 2028 Olympics. He believes his unique combination of football skills and martial arts expertise makes him stand out as an athlete. His greatest judo achievement thus far is a silver medal at the US Open in the Cadet U90 division.

Nation: United States
Weight Class: -60kg
Divisions: Seniors
Team: High Noon

Justin (Nidan) is a 2022 senior national medalist from Charleston, South Carolina. He is currently #5 in the United States at 60kgs. He has been invited to South Korea two years in a row, where he participated in training camps. When Justin is not training Judo, he coaches High school Wrestling and trains multiple youth programs. He is also a BJJ blue belt who is always looking to improve his skills on and off the mat. At this time his focus has shifted towards Mixed Martial Arts but he continues to support others preparing for judo competition.

Nation: United States
Weight Class: 73kgs
Division: Seniors
Team: USA Stars Foundation

EJ is a nationally-ranked judoka who started his international journey in Montreal in 2023. A Nidan in Judo and a blue belt in BJJ, EJ currently attends Colton Brown Training Center in NJ. EJ also had a Judo YouTube channel (Aero EJ) where he reviews and commentates his matches. He is an aspiring athlete to see how far he can make it.

Nation: Canada
Weight Class: 73kgs
Division: Seniors
Team: High Noon / Action & Reaction MMA

Solomon is a 3x medalist at the Canadian National Championships and in 2023 he took silver at the US Open at 81kgs He also competes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu where he holds the rank of purple belt. He has worked with several of the best coaches in North America including Josh Hagen, Nick Delpopolo, Jason Morris & Terri Takemori. Solomon has represented Canada at tournaments around the world and is looking forwards to seeing what the next ten years of his career looks like.

Nation: United States
Weight Class: 78kg
Team: Tampa Florida Judo / High Noon Judo

Emma Bragg began her Judo journey in Joplin, Missouri, at Joplin Judo and Jiu-Jitsu, where she trained under Sensei Amber Jones. Now based in Florida, Emma trains with Olympian Dr. Rhadi Ferguson, working toward her goal of becoming a Judo instructor. A Nikyu (brown belt) in Judo and a blue belt in Jiu-Jitsu, Emma combines her athletic pursuits with academic ambitions as she works toward her bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University (ASU). Emma is a hybrid athlete/instructor fellow with MASTERs.