Author: Gregory Spahr

CFFA update for January 4

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for January 4
Happy New Year!  And the club has a new B in epee.  Josh Harvey started slow in the Hangover in Richmond today but ended up tied for 3rd in an A2 and earned his B15.  (the up side is that you now don’t have to fence him at Divisionals.)  Oliver Galbraith went 4-1 in his pool, won his first DE, but lost his second DE to an A from DCFC.  Josh then avenged Oliver in the next round by taking out the A.  Oliver ended up 10th.  In yesterday’s B2 foil, Oliver was 5-1 and first out of his pool, but lost his first DE and ended up 17th.  Jesse Harvey was 4-1 in his pool, won his first DE, but then lost 13-15 to the B who ended up winning the entire event.  Jesse placed 12th.  A good job from all the guys.
Afterschool

and a new beginner afterschool class will start tomorrow (or Tuesday for the beginners).  The
next adult beginner class will start on Tuesday, January 6th at 6:30 pm, with an
intermediate class to follow at 7:30 pm if anyone is interested.  The next
Homeschool beginner class and new homschool session will start onWednesday, the 7th, at 1 pm.  There look to be a fair number in all of the beginner classes.


The
10th is the first NCFL meet of 2015, at Kestrel Heights.  Harry and
Will could really use a third fencer if anyone is interested.  Let me know who is interested in going, needs a ride, etc.

The

17th is our first adult event of the New Year.  With this one we are
bringing back the one touch epee event in addition to the open foil and
epee.  All of our spring events are now up on askfred, so start getting
signed up.  There isn’t much to compete with on many of our weekends, so
if we can get our folks signed up we can probably attract out of town
fencers.  If it looks like there will not be anyone competing, people
will stay home.  Right now the epee for the 17th looks to be solid B event, but the foil can use more bodies and ranks.


The

18th is a homeschool event.  I have permission to hold it aboard Camp
Lejeune..  In addition to the homeschool teams, I am going to try to
have
a meet with women’s foil teams and mixed epee teams in the morning. 
The epee and women’s foil would start about 11 am and the homeschool
will be at 1 pm. These would all be for high school age and
below fencers and you would need a full uniform.  We will loan you
knickers (if we have them in your size) and underarm protectors.  No
cost to fence and we can always make composite teams.  I will need to
know who would be driving so you can get a pass to get on base.


The
next set of Camp Lejeune classes should start on the 23rd. This one
looks like it will be a large class with a good mix of adults and
younger beginners.

The 24th will be our first 12 and under event for 2015.  $5 entry, Foil at 10 am, sabre at 1:30 pm, epee at 2:30 pm.

The 31st is the second NCFL meet of January, location yet to be decided.
Tony Viollis, St. Mary’s AD, has asked me to let anyone who is interested know that there will be a Golf Tournament to benefit the athletic program fund on March 21st.  I believe there is more information on St. Mary’s website.
Finally, looking way ahead, camps for 2015 will be in July/August as always.  I will probably use July 13-17 for the beginner camp.  The other weeks are July 20-24, July 27-31, and August 3-7.  If anyone has a preference or a conflict let me know and I will try to make certain your weapon’s camp does not fall on that week.

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

CFFA: Thursday and Saturday practice?

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA: Thursday and Saturday practice?
I won’t be going to the homeschool meet, so we will have practice Saturday about 10 am.
Last night, people were inquiring about maybe having practice Thursday night.  If we do, who would definitely be there?
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

CFFA update for December 29

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for December 29
I hope every one is having a good holiday break.  I am back from Indiana and will be in to the club tonight about 7 pm for all of you who want to get out and try out your new equipment. or get ready for the Hangover.  No practice tomorrow or Thursday.  No practice at Camp Lejeune Friday.
Looking
at the New Year, the next homeschool meet is January 3rd at Oak Ridge. 
We may not have enough people for a team.  If we don’t, I will have practice about 10 am Saturday.  I will keep everyone informed.

For adults there is the Hangover in Richmond.  It is usually a large
event with each weapon being an A in the opens and with separate strong
women’s events. 

Afterschool
and a new beginner afterschool class will start on January 5th.  The
next adult beginner class will start on January 6th at 6:30 pm, with an
intermediate class to follow at 7:30 pm if anyone is interested. I do have a few people expressing interest in the beginner class.  The next
Homeschool beginner class will start on the 7th at 1 pm.

The
10th is the first NCFL meet of 2015, at Kestrel Heights.  Harry and
Will could really use a third fencer if anyone is interested.  We need to start touching base so we can figure out rides, etc.

The

17th is our first adult event of the New Year.  With this one we are
bringing back the one touch epee event in addition to the open foil and
epee.  All of our spring events are now up on askfred, so start getting
signed up.  There isn’t much to compete with on many of our weekends, so
if we can get our folks signed up we can probably attract out of town
fencers.  If it looks like thee will not be anyone competing, people
will stay home.  Right now the epee for the 17th looks to be solid, but the foil can use more bodies and ranks.


The

18th is a homeschool event.  I have permission to hold it aboard Camp
Lejeune..  In addition to the homeschool teams, I am going to try to
have
a meet with women’s foil teams and mixed epee teams in the morning. 
The epee and women’s foil would start about 11 am and the homeschool
will be at 1 pm. These would all be for high school age and
below fencers and you would need a full uniform.  We will loan you
knickers (if we have them in your size) and underarm protectors.  No
cost to fence and we can always make composite teams.  I will need to
know who would be driving so you can get a pass to get on base.


The next set of Camp Lejeune classes should start on the 23rd. This one looks like it will be a large class with a good mix of adults and younger beginners.

The 24th will be our first 12 and under event for 2015.  $5 entry, Foil at 10 am, sabre at 1:30 pm, epee at 2:30 pm.

The 31st is the second NCFL meet of January, location yet to be decided.
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
Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
I will be away for a bit.  Herman and Brendan are planning to have practice on this Tuesday night.  I should be back in time for practice next Tuesday.  Nothing else until we gear back up for 2015.
Looking
at the New Year, the next homeschool meet is January 3rd at Oak Ridge. 
For adults there is the Hangover in Richmond.  It is usually a large
event with each weapon being an A in the opens and with separate strong
women’s events.  Sign up on askfred before December 28th, after that the fees jump a great deal.

Afterschool
and a new beginner afterschool class will start on January 5th.  The
next adult beginner class will start on January 6th at 6:30 pm, with an
intermediate class to follow at 7:30 pm if anyone is interested.  The next
Homeschool beginner class will start on the 7th.

The
10th is the first NCFL meet of 2015, at Kestrel Heights.  Harry and
Will could really use a third fencer if anyone is interested.

The
17th is our first adult event of the New Year.  With this one we are
bringing back the one touch epee event in addition to the open foil and
epee.  All of our spring events are now up on askfred, so start getting
signed up.  There isn’t much to compete with on many of our weekends, so if we can get our folks signed up we can probably attract out of town fencers.  If it looks like thee will not be anyone competing, people will stay home.

The
18th is a homeschool event.  I have permission to hold it aboard Camp Lejeune..  In addition to the homeschool teams, I am going to try to have
a meet with women’s foil teams and mixed epee teams in the morning.  The epee and women’s foil would start about 11 am and the homeschool will be at 1 pm. These would all be for high school age and
below fencers and you would need a full uniform.  We will loan you
knickers (if we have them in your size) and underarm protectors.  No
cost to fence and we can always make composite teams.  I will need to know who would be driving so you can get a pass to get on base.

The next set of Camp Lejeune classes should start on the 23rd.

The 24th will be our first 12 and under event for 2015.  $5 entry, Foil at 10 am, sabre at 1:30 pm, epee at 2:30 pm.

The 31st is the second NCFL meet of January, location yet to be decided.
Merry Christmas/ Happy Hannukah/ Joyous Kwanzaa/ or a rollicking Winter Solstice to all.

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

CFFA update for December 14

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for December 14
We held the Old Man Winter event yesterday.  Strong fields in all events, but we were a couple of bodies short for getting ratings in the foil and Vet epee.  Gabe Lima of Apex won the foil with our Jesse Harvey coming in second.  Sam Cason, now of the Raleigh Fencers club and CFFA’s Oliver Galbraith tied for 3rd.  In the epee, Patrick Lausi of Palmetto Fencers Club took a B1 event.  Oliver came in second and earned his C14 in epee.  Ryan Miller from Salle New Bern and our Paul Perkins tied for 3rd.  CFFA’s Nick Chambers came in 5th earning a D14 and Gabe Davis came in 8th updating to an E14.  In the Vet epee, Paul was first, Robert Thomas of CFFA was 2nd, and Scott Butler of Wilmington Fencing Club and Herman Smith of CFFA tied for 3rd. Thanks to everyone who helped with refereeing, set up and tear down, and managing the event.
We then adjourned to Herman and Suzanne Smith’s house for the club Holiday/after fencing tournament party.  Many thanks to the Smith’s for all the work that went into hosting the mob.
Today, Reaghan Juelke participated in Mid-South’s Y-12 event.
Last week of fencing before we take a holiday break. The UNCW students are gone, so if anyone wants to come in on Wednesday evening, tell me by Tuesday night.  I
am looking at the 18th as the last day for afterschool this year.  The last day for Lejeune will be the 19th.

I
will be gone the week of Christmas, but will let you know if it looks
like people will be getting together for practice on Tuesday of that
week.

Looking
at the New Year, the next homeschool meet is January 3rd at Oak Ridge. 
For adults there is the Hangover in Richmond.  It is usually a large
event with each weapon being an A in the opens and with separate strong
women’s events.  Sign up on askfred before the 28th, after that the fees jump a great deal.

Afterschool
and a new beginner afterschool class will start on January 5th.  The
next adult beginner class will start on January 6th at 6:30 pm, with an
intermediate class to follow at 7:30 pm if anyone is interested.  The next
Homeschool beginner class will start on the 7th.

The
10th is the first NCFL meet of 2015, at Kestrel Heights.  Harry and
Will could really use a third fencer if anyone is interested.

The
17th is our first adult event of the New Year.  With this one we are
bringing back the one touch epee event in addition to the open foil and
epee.  All of our spring events are now up on askfred, so start getting
signed up.

The
18th is a homeschool event.  I am hoping to get it on board Camp
Lejeune.  In addition to the homeschool teams, I am going to try to have
a meet with women’s foil teams and mixed epee teams in the morning.  I
will keep everyone posted.  These would all be for high school age and
below fencers and you would need a full uniform.  We will loan you
knickers (if we have them in your size) and underarm protectors.  No
cost to fence and we can always make composite teams.

The next set of Camp Lejeune classes should start on the 23rd.

The 24th will be our first 12 and under event for 2015.  Standard times and rules.

The 31st is the second NCFL meet of January, location yet to be decided.

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

CFFA Holiday party reminder

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA Holiday party reminder
Just a reminder that the CFFA annual Holiday party will occur directly after the finish of fencing at the Old Man Winter or around 7 pm on this Saturday, December 13th.  Until ? We all seem to be getting older, so probably not that late.  LOL
Pork Barbecue and some sides will be provided.  Bringing additional sides, or desserts and beverages is welcome.
See you there.
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

CFFA update for December 7th

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for December 7th
NCFL meet yesterday at East Chapel Hill.  We sent 1 2/3 teams for the B event.  The girls, Emma Filer, Emma Graf, and Reaghan Juelke went 5-0 and won the B division.  Filer was 10-0, Graf was 9-1, and Juelke was 6-5.  Harry Shaheen and Will Golder fenced a person down the whole day, but still won one match.  They might well have won more if they had a third fencer. Individually, Harry was 5-7 and Will was 5-6. However, I think Will gave Emma F. her biggest scare of the day.  Considering all five of them are in middle school fencing primarily high school students, they all did very well.
Practice should be pretty regular.  The UNCW folks are doing finals, so they won’t be in Wednesday.
Keep
getting Holiday request orders to Herman or me.  Next weekend is pretty much the latest to get the information to us.  That cutoff date gives us a bit of room for mistaken orders,
pick up, wrong sizing, etc.

Our

next home adult event is December 13th.  Open foil, open epee, and Vet
epee.  We currently have a B event for the
open epee, need one more for a C event in the open foil, and and 6 bodies for a B event in the Vet epee.  If you are
thinking about it, get signed up.  Salle New Bern is again
donating some tickets for winners to the Tryon Palace for a tour on the 20th.

The club Christmas Party will be at Herman Smith’s immediately following the end of fencing on Saturday.  Herman’s house is on 4th street, almost exactly across from the gym.  Yellow house with a white fence and a huge dog.  Bringing a side dish and your favorite adult beverage is encouraged.

I
am looking at the 18th as the last day for afterschool this year.  The Last day for Lejeune will be the 19th.

I
will be gone the week of Christmas, but will let you know if it looks
like people will be getting together for practice on Tuesday of that
week.

Looking
at the New Year, the next homeschool meet is January 3rd at Oak Ridge. 
For adults there is the Hangover in Richmond.  It is usually a large
event with each weapon being an A in the opens and with separate strong
women’s events.  Sign up on askfred before the 28th, after that the fees jump a great deal.

Afterschool
and a new beginner afterschool class will start on January 5th.  The
next adult beginner class will start on January 6th, with an
intermediate class to follow if anyone is interested.  The next
Homeschool beginner class will start on the 7th.

The 10th is the first NCFL meet of 2015, at Kestrel Heights.  Harry and Will could really use a third fencer if anyone is interested.

The
17th is our first adult event of the New Year.  With this one we are
bringing back the one touch epee event in addition to the open foil and
epee.  All of our spring events are now up on askfred, so start getting
signed up.

The
18th is a homeschool event.  I am hoping to get it on board Camp
Lejeune.  In addition to the homeschool teams, I am going to try to have
a meet with women’s foil teams and mixed epee teams in the morning.  I
will keep everyone posted.  These would all be for high school age and
below fencers and you would need a full uniform.  We will loan you
knickers (if we have them in your size) and underarm protectors.  No
cost to fence and we can always make composite teams.

The next set of Camp Lejeune classes should start on the 23rd.

The 24th will be our first 12 and under event for 2015.  Standard times and rules.

The 31st is the second NCFL meet of January, location yet to be decided.
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

NCFL meet

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
NCFL meet
Looking for a third foilist to be on a team with Harry Shaheen and Will Golder for the NCFL meet at East Chapel Hill this Saturday.  Let me know if you are interested.
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