Fencing in the News

[LongBlade]

Advance fencing club growing in second year
By LAUREL BISHOW
Community News Writer
Eastern Poconos Community News
April 29, 2005

www.epcommunitynews.com/archives/2005/ep042905.htm


Fencing action pits two senior practitioners in Smithfield Township growing club. Photo by Laurel Bishow

If you still dream of being Zorro, a pirate, or a Musketeer, you need to develop certain skills. Sword skills, for example.

The Pocono Fencing Club provides fencing lessons for people of all skill levels, from first-timers to the experienced in the Smithfield Elementary School.

"I started when I was in my mid-forties," said Richard Heater, one of the club's organizers. "I started with my sixteen year old son, Nathan. It's one of those sports you can do for a lifetime."

Heater and his son began taking fencing lessons at the main Family YMCA in Stroudsburg about four years ago.

"We reached the point where we needed more in-depth instruction and we wanted to get into competitions," explained Heater. "Doyle Nelson (a fellow Y student), was the driving force to organize the club."

In the fall of 2003, they held the club's first meeting.

They now have 10 members, including high school students, college students, a civil engineer (Heater), the Deputy Park Superintendent (Nelson), and a mother with her two children.

At least three of the members are women.

"I've been beaten by women," said Heater with a smile. "It's not strength that's most important, but endurance, agility, and finesse."

Good instruction is also important. Last year, the club hit the jackpot when Ibrahima Ndiaye joined.

"My first week in America, I met Nelson," recalled Ndiaye who comes from Senegal. His first year wasn't too bad either.

"In one year, I won seven gold and one bronze at the (Fencing) Exchange (in Scranton)," Ndiaye said, noting he started fencing only nine years ago.

Since then he has won numerous championships and gold medals in national, African, and world competitions.

In September, he will temporarily be back in Africa and training for the World Cup in fencing.

The fencing club is open to anyone of high school age or older.

It meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. The club offers 10-week sessions where students are taught in groups appropriate to their skill level.

Foil, epee, and saber are the weapons used by the students.

It costs $30 to join (mostly for insurance) and $75 for the 10 weeks of instruction.

First-timers will also need to purchase a jacket, a glove, a mask, and a foil. Depending on the quality, the equipment cost about $150.

For more information, call [phone] or email:
[e-mail]

[LongBlade]

Fencing not all about coarse play seen in films
By Colin Yuhl
DAILY BRUIN SENIOR STAFF
UCLA - April 29, 2005

www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/articles.asp?id=33073

Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."

Just imagine that revenge-crazed Spaniard bearing down on you, waving his magnificent blade around and threatening you with certain death. It still sends chills down my spine.

"The Princess Bride," one of nearly everybody's favorite flicks, features some of the most ridiculously sweet sword fighting ever captured on film, and while watching it on DVD, I came to the following epiphany: Fencing is awesome.

This notion was only confirmed when TNT decided to show Zorro for the 100th straight day, and I still watched it for the 100th time just because I enjoyed watching Antonio Banderas cleverly disrobe Catherine Zeta-Jones with the point of his blade.

Now might be a good time to mention the fact that, in my final quarter here at UCLA, I'm taking a grand total of one class. This is how I can afford to watch the same movie on TV over and over again. So, in an effort to fill up these grand reservoirs of free time, I thought I might try to scratch my fencing itch, and learn how to properly poke someone with a sword and then give them a good "Yo' mama!" for good measure.

Swordplay on film has given audiences some of their greatest thrills, not only with the fine choreography, but also the witty banter back and forth.

Remember Inigo battling the Dread Pirate Roberts atop the cliffs of despair? Or how about Zorro battling it out with Zeta-Jones in the stables? Every parry and repost features an equally sharp jest, insult or comeback.

In fact, in one of the earliest video games I can ever remember playing, Monkey Island, whether you won or lost a sword fight depended on choosing the correct verbal jibe against your opponent. So, when I decided to try my hand at fencing, I figured I should practice sharpening my tongue more than my blade. However, I soon discovered that fencing is no laughing matter.

A quick Google search for "fencing" and "UCLA" provided me with all the information I needed. Not only does the Wooden Center offer a beginner's fencing class, but the UCLA fencing club meets three times a week, and even total beginners are welcome. Surely, in no time I would be learning the retreat-up-the-stairs-then-swing-from-the-chandelier-behind-your-opponent move, and soon I could perfect the dodge-the-sword-so-it-gets-stuck-in-something-solid-and-then-stab-them move. Believe it or not, however, these are not officially recognized fencing moves. In fact, I didn't hear anyone trading insults or doing back flips.

As it turns out, you're not allowed to talk to your opponent during a bout. Cordiality and civility are expected in this gentleman's sport.

"There are no yo' mama jokes or any crap like that," said Nelson Villaluz, a third-year aerospace engineering student and captain of the men's foil team.

There is, however, good-natured competition between the three types of weapons: foil, saber and epee.

Foil seems to be the standard, and is rather stylish. Epee is hard to pronounce. I'm currently trying to learn saber, because most of the club team members said I looked like a saber fencer.

I'm not sure yet which type of weapon a pirate might use, but that's the one I need. Because, for me, the whole point of this endeavor is to have the following conversation with a pirate while we battle for buried treasure, Monkey Island style:

Me: "Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries!" Advance double, slash!

Pirate: "Yaargh! My mother was a saint! How dare you!" Retreat double, parry and counterattack!

Me: "Is that a rubber chicken in your pocket?" Advance twice, lunge!

Pirate: "Aye! His name is Darren and he's twice the pirate you'll ever be!" Dodge!

Me: "Then why is he wearing underwear with little red hearts?!" Run him through!

Pirate (distracted): "Darren, are you wearing my underwear aga – ... oh no!" Death!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yuhl wonders what kind of underwear Zorro found when disrobing Catherine Zeta-Jones. (Me, too!!! ) E-mail him your thoughts at [e-mail].

[LongBlade]

Fencing is the best sport ever!
news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4490000/newsid_4498100/4498127.stm

Are you bored of doing the same old sports? Football, basketball, swimming and so on.
Well, in her report fifteen-year-old Elena tells us about an unusual sport she participates in.



"I started fencing a year ago and it's the best sport that I've ever done.

I've tried judo, football, basketball, horse riding and swimming but this is completely different.

You have to control and coordinate your body and your mind at the same time to try and touch your opponent without being touched.

Waist up

In this sport there are three weapons.

The foil, the epée and the sabre, which is the one I practice with.

With this weapon you can only touch your opponents from the waist up.

This is because in the medieval period, duels were fought on horseback and so this rule was introduced so that you didn't injure the animal.

Lights up

Nowadays it's much safer.

To know who has touched you, you have to plug the sabre into a machine with two lights and when you make a touch your light turns on.

It is really exciting when you win a touch!

You start to shout to off-load all your tension.

I've been in championships in Madrid, Spain and even the under 17s world championship.

Unforgettable experience

The most exciting was when my team came fourth in the Spanish Championship.

It was a totally unforgettable experience!

The problem is that people have the wrong concept of what fencing is all about because the media doesn't give it much coverage.

I really think that if people gave fencing a go they would really find it a great sport."
Elena, 15, Madrid, Spain

[LongBlade]

Just found this one...

Cross Captures World Junior Title
CollegeSports.com
April 7, 2005

www.collegesports.com/sports/c-fenc/stories/040705aaa.html



Emily Cross, fresh off her individual title in foil at the NCAA Championshi[p, added to her already-impressive list of accolades when she captured a gold medal at the Junior World Championship held in Linz, Austria.

This marks the first time that a Harvard fencer has won a world title. Only a week after winning the NCAA title, Cross took on the world getting to the gold medal round - and doing so by beating her opponents by wide margins. Her toughest match was the gold medal bout against Arianna Errigo of Italy, where Cross prevailed by a score of 15-14.

Cross helped the Crimson to a sixth-place team finish at the NCAA Championships, and was a factor throughout the season, which was arguably the best in the history of the program. The Crimson women captured their first-ever Ivy League title, and were joined by the men in that regard as the co-champions with Columbia. After an impressive run through IFA's and Harvard's stellar run at the NCAA Championship, head coach Peter Brand was named the National Coach of the Year.

[msrdlp]

it would be tight to get a place open to fence evey day down here . later

[LongBlade]

GR fencing coach honored by U.S. Olympic Committee
Monday, May 02, 2005
By Kelly Hill
The Grand Rapids Press

www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/111504514263430.xml

GRAND RAPIDS -- A former member of the Soviet National Fencing Team, Mikhail Sarkisov was honored by the United States Olympic Committee this weekend as the 2005 Developmental Fencing Coach of the Year.

Sarkisov, 42, who came to the United States in 1992 as a religious refugee from Azerbaijan in the former Soviet Union, was presented the award at Cornerstone University during the first day of action in the Great Lakes Sectional Fencing Championships.

Sarkisov is now co-owner of and head coach at the Grand Rapids Fencing Academy.

'Overwhelmed' by honor

"I am overwhelmed by this," Sarkisov said upon receiving an inscribed wooden plaque from Derek Cotton, the treasurer of the United States Fencing Association and one of the highest rated officials in the USFA.

"I didn't expect this to happen. This speaks volumes for the development of fencing in this area."

Development of high quality competitors and promotion of the sport in different parts of the country are two of the factors considered by the USOC in naming its Developmental Coaches of the Year.

"Part of what goes into this, obviously, is technical ability," said Cotton, who lives in Los Angeles. "We want someone who is teaching the sport correctly, but we are also interested in someone who is developing the sport where it had not gotten a lot of exposure before.

Credit for teaching technique

"The kids that Mikhail coaches know the proper technique," Cotton noted.

"They have a full knowledge of the rules of the sport and he had developed kids where there had been no kids fencing before. Some coaches are coaching more kids.

"If you look at a coach in New York City, you're going to have a lot more students, because a lot more people fencer there.

"But, here is a guy from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and he has developed fencing here. His kids know what they are doing. It helps the sport, because the young fencers are the future of the sport.

After living in Idaho for one year upon his arrival as a refugee in the United States, Sarkisov was contacted by a small group of fencers who comprised what eventually became the West Michigan Fencing Academy.

In 1993, he became the first professional fencing coach in West Michigan.

"When I got to the United States I started looking for a job coaching fencing," Sarkisov said. "That's when I was contacted by some enthusiastic fencers from Grand Rapids. They said, 'There are only a few of us, and we don't know much.' So, I moved to Grand Rapids."

Sarkisov coached at the West Michigan Fencing Academy until 2002 when he and his brother, Arkadiy, opened the Grand Rapids Fencing Academy.

"This is for many years of hard work, and many 16-hour days," Sarkisov said of his USOC award. Sarkisov, who earned a physical education degree in the former Soviet Union, later earned a computer engineering degree from Aquinas College.

He now works as a computer engineer for Access Business Group when he is not coaching fencing.

"I have been developing the sport for many years," Sarkisov said. "We have been able to develop some high-level fencers in the Grand Rapids area. It's incredible how popular the sport has become here. This award is appropriately named, because it is about development."

[LongBlade]

Fencing scoreboard

www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20050502-9999-1s2agate78-.html

UNION-TRIBUNE
May 2, 2005

SAN DIEGO 3 WEAPON OPEN
At Mission Bay High

Open Mixed Epee: 1, Kei Hau (No Fear); 2, Chuck Alexander (No Fear); T3, Chris Getsla (Cabrillo), Tim Marsh (No Fear). Open Mixed Foil: 1, Cameron Sprolwes (Unattached); 2, Torrey Burgess (Cabrillo); T3, Dave Eltgroth (UCSD), Laurel Yianilos (Cabrillo). Open Mixed Sabre: 1, Barron Nydam (Spartak); 2, Lockey Stewart (Cabrillo); T3, Torrey Burgess (Cabrillo), Rob McLay (Cabrillo).

[LongBlade]

Benjamin Switala - North Olmsted High School
Cleveland Plain Dealer
May 04, 2005

www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1115112817102150.xml

Benjamin Switala credits his years of experience in fencing with enabling him to handle defeat and disappointment with grace and ease. Winning no longer is his only goal.

"I want to be able to look myself in the mirror in 20 years and proudly say to myself, 'You hung in there, and you've had fun, and you're a better person for it,' " he wrote in his essay.

First in his class at North Olmsted High School, Ben is on his way. He will receive an honors diploma, the Ohio Award of Merit and the Presidential Award of Excellence when he graduates.

He also is a National Merit finalist and has earned the Mock Trial Outstanding Attorney Award.

Ben is co-captain of the Mock Trial team, is fencing team foil captain and leads the Junior Engineering & Tech Society. He volunteers as a tutor in many subjects and is a teaching assistant in an honors physics class.

"His maturity, respect and good manners make him stand out as someone special with a lot to offer. He is quite mature and definitely a leader," said guidance counselor Tricia Calloway. Ben, the son of Joe and Barb Switala, plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

[LongBlade]

Int’l women’s fencing event to cross swords in Hanoi

www.vov.org.vn/2005_05_04/english/thethao.htm

The International Women’s Fencing Tournament will take place at Trinh Hoai Duc Competition House in Hanoi from May 7-8 with the participation of athletes from many Asian countries, including China and the Republic of Korea.
Athletes will compete in both single and team events.

Four Vietnamese athletes are expected to take part in the tournament, including three fencers who won champions titles at the Southeast Asia Fencing Championships in January, namely Nguyen Thi Le Dzung, Nguyen Thi Thuy Chung and Trinh Thi Ly.

[LongBlade]

Governor’s cup fencing
The Imphal Free Press
Imphal, India - May 5

www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=23383&typeid=3

The Manipur Fencing Association is organising the 1st Governor’s Cup state level fencing championship for Soraisham Ronika memorial running trophy for sub-junior boys and girls, Manaobi Laishram memorial running trophy for cadet for boys and girls, Wakambam Nodia Singh memorial running trophy for junior boys, Wakambam ongbi Anou Devi memorial running trophy for junior girls and Hijam Jugeshwar Singh memorial running trophy for senior men and women from May 9 to 15 at the Khuman Lampak Indoor stadium.

In the opening function, Govindas Konthoujam, minister for youth affairs and sports and Ch Birendra, commissioner YAS will grace as the chief guest and president respectively.

All competitors, team officials, technical officials and officials of the organising committee are to report to the organising secretary on May 9 at 8.00 am at Khuman Lampak indoor stadium.

[LongBlade]

'Alternative' sport participation surges
By Mike White
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Friday, May 06, 2005

www.post-gazette.com/pg/05126/500094.stm

What clothes should I wear? What screen name should I use for instant messages? What cell phone should I buy?

The choices are many in the world of today's teenagers. And in the world of high school sports, many teenagers also have more choices than ever before.

Football, basketball, baseball and soccer still attract athletes in great numbers. But there is a high school sports boom in Western Pennsylvania and in many other parts of the country. It has to do with the so-called "alternative" sports. They are popping up at more schools -- and more athletes are trying them.

For example, this is the first year the WPIAL has sponsored girls' lacrosse, and 25 teams compete in the league. The WPIAL doesn't sponsor boys' lacrosse, but there are more than two-dozen district teams that play in a league (WPSLA). Twenty years ago, there were no lacrosse leagues for boys or girls in the region.

But lacrosse isn't the only new sport in the district. In areas of Western Pennsylvania, a high school student can try everything from rowing down a river in a crew race, to tackling someone in rugby, to taking a sword to an opponent in fencing.

But this isn't a Western Pennsylvania thing. Across the country, more high school students -- especially girls -- are participating in sports. According to participation statistics compiled by the National Federation of State High School Association, almost 7 million high school students participated in sports in the 2003-04 school year. And that doesn't count athletes who played on "club" teams. In 1971-72 there were less than 4 million students in sports.

Also, there were almost 3 million girls competing in sports in 2003-04. In 1971-72, there were 294,015.

Most of the "alternative" sports are not sponsored by the WPIAL and PIAA, the governing bodies of district and state high school sports. Thus, the teams are not funded by schools. Most school districts can't afford to take on new sports.

That's why many schools have "club" teams that provide their own funding.

"But we know participation is up in a lot of different sports," said Bob Lombardi, assistant executive director of the PIAA. "I don't think we've seen one sport in the past 12 years that's being played across the board in every district of the state. But there are certain sports in certain regions that are being played more."

Besides lacrosse, fencing, crew and rugby, a few other sports that have popped up in Southwestern Pennsylvania recently are roller hockey and ultimate frisbee. Bowling also has gained popularity with 31 schools now fielding teams.

There are 10 schools with crew teams competing in the Three Rivers Rowing Association. About another dozen schools in the association have students who combine with other schools to make teams.

Fifteen years ago, there were only 147 crew participants in the country. In the 2003-04 school year, there were 91,694.

"There are basically one of three reasons kids say they try [crew]," said Sean Nangle, director of operations of Three Rivers Rowing Association. "Either they got cut from another sport; they want to be an athlete, but know they won't make another team; or the idea of an alternative sport does appeal to them. They want something other than the norm."

Bethel Park sophomore Brittany Thomas wanted to try a sport three years ago, but the so-called mainstream ones such as basketball and softball didn't interest her. She was a youngster trying to find her shtick.

So she grabbed a sword.

Thomas joined the Bethel Park middle school fencing team as a seventh grader. She is now a sophomore, an assistant captain on the varsity team and hopes to continue with the sport into college. Twenty years ago, there were no fencing teams.

"I wanted something completely off the wall and different. That's why I tried this," Thomas said. "I just like the combination of being on a team and being with friends."

There are 11 schools in the region competing in two different fencing associations. They are Oakland Catholic, Central Catholic, Pine-Richland, Winchester Thurston, Fox Chapel, Seton-LaSalle, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, North Hills and Allderdice.

"To be honest, one of the things that attracts kids is the weapons, and don't take that out of context," Bethel Park fencing coach Chris Tobias said. "But mankind has always had a strong love affair with the sword, whether it's the knight in shining armor, 'Lord of the Rings' or 'Star Wars.' Every time there is a new craze out there in Hollywood, it seems we have a good recruiting year and get more kids."

Andrew Sheaffer is a junior at Woodland Hills and is a member of the school's wrestling and golf teams. He decided to give rugby a try three years ago, and now loves the sport.

Woodland Hills is one of four Tri-State are schools to have boys' rugby teams. The others are Morgantown, W.Va., and Fox Chapel. Sto-Rox and Bishop Canevin combine for a team. All of the teams are coached by current or former Pittsburgh Harlequin players.

"I played pretty much every sport under the sun growing up," Sheaffer said. "I tried rugby mostly because some of my friends were playing and I saw a little on TV. ... Actually, it's not as hard to learn as football and baseball."

According to Lombardi, the sport closest to gaining PIAA sanctioning is boys' lacrosse. Hockey has pushed for sanctioning for years, but the majority of schools don't want to sponsor the sport because it's too expensive.

"We have a program to show young kids rowing is an alternative sport and that there are other things than just football, basketball and soccer," Nangle said.

[LongBlade]

NO FOILING AROUND
Alumni help mids look sharp
by JO3 Matt Jarvis
The Trident
U.S. Naval Academy
May 6, 2005

www.dcmilitary.com/navy/trident/10_16/sports/34805-1.html



The long heritage of Navy fencing lived on Sunday when midshipmen and alumni fencers crossed swords in the Blue and Gold Alumni Fencing Meet in Halsey Field House.

The meet brought together fencing greats like Andy Deladrier, Navy's head fencing coach for more than 40 years, and Ed Donofrio, 1976 National Champion and Olympian.

Donofrio, one of 15 Olympic fencers produced by Navy since 1912, said that a lot of the Naval Academy's success was due to Deladrier as coach.

"No one fences more than one weapon ever and (Deladrier) was a three time All-American in foil, epee and sabre," said Donofrio. "He produced more All-Americans, more Olympians and more national champions than anybody in any other sport at the Naval Academy."

"We have over 325 champions," said Deladrier. "We fenced foreign countries. They would come over here and play us." He recalled fencers from England, France and Holland competing against midshipmen.

Cmdr. Emil Petruncio, Class of '85 and the fencing club faculty representative, said fencing teaches the midshipmen dedication, self discipline, a passion for victory, respect for one's opponent and a coolness under pressure.

All of these, he says, will help them become better officers.

The alumni meet also helps midshipmen gain a better appreciation for the rich heritage of Navy fencing, Petruncio says.

During the meet, the midshipmen also received some fencing tips from the alumni.

"I was really excited to meet everyone because there was just so much experience and talent, but most of all, Ed Donofrio," said Midn. 4/C Tristan Brandenburg.

"He beat me soundly, but made me feel good about myself. He also gave me some good advice to improve my own style."

Although Donofrio was undefeated on the day, some midshipmen did manage to get a few touches on the former Olympian.

"I don't let anybody score on me," Donorio said with a little laugh. "They earned those points on their own."

Fencing was a varsity sport for nearly 150 years. As of about 12 years ago, it became an extracurricular activity, but the midshipmen are still representing the academy well.

The Navy Fencing Club wrapped up its regular season by bringing home three individual medals from the Baltimore-Washington Conference Individual Championships, hosted by the University of Maryland recently.

Midn. 1/C Rae Katz fenced in mixed men/women competition and finished seventh in epee. Midn. 4/C Joel Katz brought home the silver medal for his second place finish in the same event, and Midn. 3/C Bobby Pardo won silver in sabre.

As a team, Navy finished second in the conference.

"Back in the day when the Naval Academy was a fencing powerhouse, almost all of the fencing talent was homegrown," said Ensign Pat O'Brien, Class of '04, and one of the youngest alumni there.

"Midshipmen in general are athletic, smart and disciplined. Combine that with an intense training program and world class coaching, and Navy consistently turned novice (fencers) into national champions and Olympians."

Today, Navy fencers continue to learn the basics in Macdonough Hall.

What has changed is the importance of the alumni. We play a critical role for the club, O'Brien said. He maintains that there are some fine midshipmen fencers, but they can still learn a lot from the alumni.

Petruncio said that some of the midshipmen at the meet only had one or two years of experience. By contrast, he said some of the alumni had continued their involvement in fencing either as competitors or meet officials.

"Therefore, they have a wealth of experience to share," Petruncio said. "Still, because of their great physical conditioning and competitive spirit, the midshipmen won their share of bouts."

"Fencing is one of those sports that you can compete in no matter what your age is," said Brandenburg.

"The alumni definitely showed that by destroying me on the strip. I may be able to run faster or do more pull ups, but I could not compare to the talent in that gym today. The best way I can sum up the day is to say that it was the most meaningful fencing experience I have ever had."

The Gold team defeated the Blue team but "no one really cared about the final score," said Petruncio.

[LongBlade]

Small park named for city worker
By SHAWBONG FOK
Democrat Staff Writer
May 6, 2005

www.dailydemocrat.com/Stories/0,1413,136~32730~2855734,00.html

A pocket park off Kentucky Avenue in Woodland will be dedicated to long-time city Parks and Recreation Department recreation supervisor Jeff Roddy.
The City Council approved the dedication in a 5-0 vote on Tuesday in commemoration of Roddy who has worked for the city for more than 30 years years.

Roddy died of a heart attack at age 52 on Dec. 19 while attending a Sacramento Kings game at Arco Arena.

He was well known throughout the community, having orchestrated local events such as the summer concert series in Freeman Park. He also organized Woodland softball, which hosted up to 150 summer league teams in the 1980s. And he put together special interest classes like fencing, self-defense, theater and dance.

[LongBlade]

World women's fencing event opens in Ha Noi
Viet Nam News Agency
05/07/2005

www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=31&NEWS_ID=150006

Ha Noi (VNA) - The World Women's Fencing Tournament opened at the Trinh Hoai Duc Competition Hall in Ha Noi on May 7 with the participation of 21 fencers from China, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Viet Nam.

After the opening ceremony, fencers competed in the individual event. Tan Xue and Huang Hai Yang from China won first and second prizes, respectively. Bao Ying Ying from China and Chow Tsz Ki from Hong Kong tied for third place.

Fencers will compete for team titles on May 8, the last day of the tournament.

[LongBlade]

Event starts fencing push for varsity reinstatement
University of Chicago Maroon
By Hanna Lundqvist
May 6, 2005

maroon.uchicago.edu/sports/articles/2005/05/06/event_starts_fencing.php

The fencing team kicked off its campaign to regain varsity sport status with its first-ever home tournament, featuring a very special participant.

A club sport since their varsity status was revoked in 1996, the Maroons hosted the first annual Don Randel Open on Saturday. The event, headlined by the University president, was designed to raise awareness of the fencing club and bring out fencers new to the team. It was a smashing success, with impressive spectator and participant turnout.

“We knew that there were some good fencers here who either didn’t know about the team or who didn’t want to come to practices, so we wanted to invite everyone to a tournament in the spirit of fencing,” fourth-year epeeist Ben Hiebert said.

“It was awesome to finally get to watch all my friends fence,” said first-year Brette Levitan, a spectator. “It really made me want to learn how, and it would be so cool if fencing was offered as a class.”<br>
The team first proposed an intra-squad tournament in the fall, but they chose to postpone it until spring due conflicts with fall and winter competitions.

The tournament was structured according to official United States Fencing Association (USFA) rules. All three weapons—foil, epee, and sabre—had approximately 12 fencers. The fencers were divided into pools. All of the fencers in each pool fenced each other in short, five-touch bouts to determine rankings. With a bracket then constructed, the participants competed against each other in 15-touch bouts. The winner advanced and the loser was eliminated.

In foil, fourth-year Lindsey Atnip, second-year epeeist Yuefan Weng, and first-year Marcus Westin claimed medals awarded by Randel. In epee, third-year Marvin Lowenthal finished first, epee squad captain Steven Flood finished second, and Hiebert finished third. In sabre, fourth-year Wayne Duan, Lowenthal, and alumnus Dan Lascar finished 1-2-3.

The team’s faculty advisor, Randel, fenced foil as an undergraduate at Princeton and continued to fence as a member of the faculty of Cornell. He did not fence at the tournament, claiming that his best fencing years were behind him. However, he presented the awards, and pledged to consider returning to practices and competing in the team’s next tournament.

“It was great to see Randel out on a Saturday to support the team and the tournament,” Duan said. “Maybe next time we’ll be lucky enough to see him in action.”<br>
The open marked the team’s first visible, on-campus event since losing varsity status after the 1995–1996 season due to, according to the athletic department, budget cuts and the relatively low number of regional teams. Fencing has remained competitive as a club sport since.

“We’re fencing in the toughest conference in the nation. Notre Dame and OSU came in first and second in the nation this year, and we have to fence against their high-profile recruits like [women’s sabre Olympic gold medalist Mariel] Zagunis,” Hiebert said. “We came in eighth place in our conference, as one of the best club teams, and in front of some varsity teams. I’m really proud of that, especially because compared to the other club teams, let alone the varsity teams, we are sadly lacking in support from the university.”<br>
“The team did really well this year—for a club team,” said second-year Lisy Cuming, a team co-captain and organizer of the Randel Open. “We have an enormous amount of talent, and on average are a very young squad. The only way we can really improve from here is by getting sufficient funding and full-time coaching. We are seriously looking into how to reclaim our varsity status.”<br>
Randel offered his support to the team’s cause in his pre-open speech.

The team plans to continue its public-awareness campaign and will recruit heavily from the student body for the remainder of this quarter and at the beginning of next year.

“Fencing at the University of Chicago is as old as the University itself, and it is fantastic that we held the tournament to help revive this deep-seated campus tradition,” Duan said.