Big Sky Martial Arts is taking it to the next level.

The taekwondo studio in Kalispell has long been a state power, but earlier this month performed at a championship level on the national stage.

Red belts Cheyenne Arndt and Bella Waldher along with senior blue belts Meredith Bedford and Shaun Pandina won gold medals competing for team Montana at the AAU Nationals in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., July 1-6.

Three BSMA athletes — black belts Dakota Arndt and Jackson Waldher and red belt Kyah Gislason — were silver medalists.

Bringing home bronze medals were black belts Alex Bondurant, Josh Dohr, Taylor Reed, red belt Tracer Gislason and yellow belts Keya Gislason and Patricia Hinchey.

Competing, but not medaling, were black belt Michael Bedford, red belts John Hinchey, Kegan Stringer and LJ Stringer, and senior blue belts Charlie Hinchey and Dante Iffert.

Those 19 athletes and coaches Master Debbie Noyes and Master John Paul Noyes teamed up with 17 athletes and two coaches from Missoula’s Montana Taekwondo Academy and five athletes and one coach from Championship Training to place second behind Puerto Rico in the final standings.

Puerto Rico, which had 78 athletes, totaled 112 points. Montana, with 42 athletes, finished with 95.

“This is the first time that a Montana team has taken a team national title,” John Paul Noyes said.

“A very historical event and we are looking forward to next year.

“Our coaching staff was incredible, working together extremely well as a coaching team using combined experiences and talents. Athletes and parents were there ringside to support all the Montana players.”

BSMA is celebrating its 18th year in Kalispell.

“Part of it is maturity,” Noyes said of BSMA success.

“We have hit our pace here ... we have great leaders in the gym.”

Noyes said he was not shocked by the performance of his athletes at Nationals with team Montana.

“I always know what they are capable of,” he said.

“Everyone this year did what they were capable of doing.

“Fighting at this level is such a head game,” he added.

“You have to have calm nerves. It’s like looking down the barrel of rifle. It can be very intimidating. You have to get the athletes to believe in themselves.”

Noyes said the training at BSMA has been nonstop this year.

“It’s been fun,” he said.

“Everyone wants it this way.”

Dakota Arndt, Reed and Waldher have also qualified for the AAU Team Trials Sept. 6-8 in Ft. Lauderdale. This competition will determine who will be on the AAU National Team.