PACIFIC TOP TEAM VERNON
Our World Class Instructors
Pacific Top Team Vernon is fortunate to have a team of World Class instructors, led by IBJJF World Champion fourth degree black belt Dave Rothwell
Dave Rothwell
HEAD INSTRUCTOR
PROFESSOR: BLACK BELT 4th DEGREE
Dave first discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after watching Royce Gracie dominate the early UFC events, captivated by how pure technique and leverage could neutralize opponents of any size. He took his first steps onto the mats in December 1996 under Megaton Dias, eventually joining Tim Shears and Gracie Barra in 2002. Dave began teaching both kids and adults as a blue belt in 2000, earning his black belt seven years later from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. in 2007. With over two decades of coaching experience, Dave brings a deep well of technical knowledge and an enduring passion for the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to PTT Vernon every single day.
He has also tested his skills on the highest competitive stages in the world. Over the course of his competitive career, Dave has stepped onto the podium at the World Masters, Pan Americans, and European Championships, highlighted by winning an IBJJF World Masters Championship title.
Beyond the medals, Dave's true focus is the culture on the mats and the success of his students. He believes in meeting people exactly where they are—building each person's game around their unique strengths and personality. Whether you are chasing your very first stripe, returning after years off, or preparing for high-level competition, Dave and the PTT Vernon team have your back.
Notable Accomplishments:
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2019 IBJJF World Masters — Double Bronze Medalist
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2017 IBJJF World Masters BJJ Champion — Gold Medalist
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2015 CBJJF BC Provincial Championships — Black Belt Gold Medalist
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2011 IBJJF American Nationals — Black Belt Silver & Bronze Medalist
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2009 IBJJF European Championships — Black Belt Gold & Bronze Medalist
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2008 IBJJF American Nationals — Black Belt Silver & Bronze Medalist
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2007 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship — Black Belt Silver Medalist
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2006 IBJJF Pan American Championship — Brown Belt Silver & Bronze Medalist
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2005 IBJJF Pan American Championship — Purple Belt Silver Medalist
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2005 US Open — Purple Belt Gold Medalist
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2005 Grapplemania — Purple Belt Gold Medalist
ADAM PING
PROFESSOR: BLACK BELT
At Pacific Top Team Vernon, we’re proud to have coaches who don’t just teach martial arts, they live it.
Coach Ping is one of our instructors and brings an incredible depth of experience to the mats. He’s a 25-year military veteran with multiple overseas tours, a BJJ black belt, national-level wrestler, and MMA fighter.
He’s also undefeated in military combative competition, holding two absolute titles.
Coach Ping began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2015 and has earned multiple gold medals at every belt level along the way, building a strong competitive foundation through years of dedication on the mats.
But what sets him apart is not just what he’s done as a competitor, it’s how he shows up as an instructor.
He leads with structure, discipline, and clarity, focusing on developing students who are confident, capable, and prepared. His military background and high-level competitive experience give him a unique ability to break down complex skills and build strong fundamentals in every student he works with.
For our students, that means learning from someone who understands what it takes to perform under pressure, and more importantly, how to build others up to succeed.
We’re lucky to have Coach Ping on the PTT Vernon team.
Sarah Draht
PROFESSOR: BLACK BELT 2ND DEGREE
Meet Sarah Founder & head instructor of StrongHER. Your loudest cheerleader and your toughest coach — usually in the same round.
Sarah leads our Women’s-Only Muay Thai Kickboxing and Women’s-Only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programs, creating a focused, high-energy environment built specifically for women to develop real striking and grappling skills.
She came up through championship-level martial arts and a background in Protective Services. Sarah is a two-time IBJJF World Champion and a second-degree BJJ black belt — and somewhere along the way she also became a Yoga Alliance RYT-500, because recovery matters just as much as the grind.
But here's what she actually cares about: you. She built StrongHER on a simple belief — that women deserve more than just a workout. They deserve to feel strong, aware, and capable in their own bodies, in any room they walk into. That's the whole mission: Educating and empowering women to move through the world with strength, awareness, and confidence.
Three pillars hold it all up — fitness, safety, and community. Sweat with us. Learn to protect yourself. Find your people.
No experience needed. Just show up. We'll meet you there.
Gary Armbrust
NO-GI COACH
PROFESSOR: BLACK BELT
Gary has had a long career as a MMA fighter, has a professional record of 10 wins and 0 losses, and recently won silver at the IBJJF World Masters. He is one of our MMA coaches, and teaches a broad range of mixed martial arts techniques, covering standup & striking, take-downs, and ground work.
Blake Fredrickson
MMA COACH
Blake is a professional MMA fighter with a professional record of 15 wins 0 losses. He brings his wealth of real world mixed martial arts and wrestling competition experience to our MMA classes.