CFFA update for March 17

Found out that Robert Thomas and Erica Julien went down to South
Carolina to fence in the Catcuda Clash.  They both fenced in the mixed
epee.  Erica won her first DE and finished around 14th (Robert wasn’t
certain and askfred results are not yet up).  Robert made in into the
top 8 at eighth.  He then went undefeated in the Div III epee to take
the gold medal.  Unfortunately it didn’t have enough bodies or rated
fencers for him to be able to up his rating.

Just
as an aside, this is the second time in two weeks that I have been
“blindsided” by finding out our fencers are going to an event the day
before or afterwards.  I don’t have the time to keep tabs on every event
in the eastern half of the U. S.  I generally look at the North
Carolina events, bigger regional, and national events.  Of course I know
what is up with the various league events.  However, not finding out
about these things doesn’t allow me to help prepare fencers for them
(not that Robert and Erica actually need that.)  However, younger
fencers going to such things for the first time can use that help and
assistance to make certain they have all the gear they need.

On
the other hand it might have helped Erica and especially Robert, if by
knowing they were going I could have advertised it more in my updates. 
It might have been hard to get the ranks down there to have allowed
Robert earn his a C, but a couple of rated fencers would have at least
allowed him to re-earn his D.  Plus it sounds like it would be a good
event for a number of our lower rated epeeists to go to.  A larger cadre
of our fencers means there is more support for our people at these
events when I can’t go.  When our people go places and do well, it also
means that people may look more favorably at coming to our events
because they know the level of competition that will be here.

Bottom line, make certain I know of events that you will be attending with some lead time to help you.