We had a couple of groups of fencers braving the rain to compete in the western part of the state yesterday. Phil Nazzaro, Isabelle Artz, and Caroline Artz represented the homeschool fencers in Oak Ridge. The homeschool fencing league is experimenting with doing the USA Fencing/Olympic relay system. Our people fence for the Southeastern Homeschool Cardinals, and went up against the FHE (I believe it is Forsythe Homeschool Educators) Hawks, and the Oak Ridge Mustangs. We lost 22-45 and and 28-44. However considering the other groups fencers were in the 15-18 agerange and our fencers are in the 15-11 age range they did very well. Phil made a great comeback in the 9th bout of one match, outscoring his opponent 14-4 before time ran out.
The UNCW fencing club took a number of people to an event at UNC Greensboro. I am not totally certain of the format, but everyone won at least one bout. Josh Dubois won 4 matches in his group in foil. Felix Thibodeau won 3 bouts in his epee pool, won his first DE, and lost the second DE 11-15.
Lots going on this week. On Tuesday, the Milewski girls will be in for the evening practice and are hoping a lot of epeeists show up. On Wednesday, the UNCW club will be in, and I think the Hoggard club will be in to learn about electric foil fencing before Saturday’s meet. On Thursday my one beginner will should be finishing up her class and it would be nice to have some foilists in early for her to fence electrically. Regular practices everywhere/everywhen else.
The
14th is the first NCFL meet and we will be hosting. This is a very
large high school foil event and we need all the volunteer referees we
can pull. A
number of you did this previously and it will be time to give back. CFFA should field two B teams, plus Hoggard and Coastal Christian.
The men’s and women’s “A” teams are split, so I am not yet certain how
that will affect the number of teams. “B” teams can still be coed.This
will use the gym and basement and will start at 10 am. For younger
fencers, this would be a good event to come watch.
The
21st and 22nd is JOs at Research Triangle Charter School near Durham.
Saturday is for the junior events and Sunday is for the cadet events.
If you qualify for the junior event and are young enough to be a cadet
you automatically are qualified for the cadet. The JOs are in Cleveland
over the Presidents day weekend in February. Even for those of you do
not intend
to go to the JOs, these are good events in which to participate. You do
need to be signed up on askfred by the 20th or the fees double. Right now Samantha Milewski is still our
only fencer who is signed up.
Mid-South is holding their annual Black Friday event on the 27th.
I will
be away with our fencers at the NAC December 4-7. I will probably need
someone to open and close on Thursday the 3rd. Right now I am still
planning to have afterschool practice, but that may change.
I know it is a ways away, but start getting signed up for our next adult event on December 12th.
pax vobiscum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association
“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon
