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CFFA Update 8.3.26

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CFFA Update 8.3.26
RESULTS
 
I travelled to Foothills Fencing for their referee certification event yesterday.  The foil went so-so.  I was 2-3 in my pool, and won my first DE, before losing to Michael Edgecombe in the second, to finish 8th.  Michael went on to win the event.  Epee was horrible, I lost all my bouts and my DE to finish 12th.  Sabre started decent.  I went 2-3 in the pool, but because of indicators was 3rd out of pools.  Unfortunately, couldn’t seem to buy a touch in my DE, so ended up 5th.
 
DUES UPDATES
 
Long term club dues are currently on the table.  You can get 6 months of club membership for the cost of 5 months ($225 instead of $270) by paying August through January all at one time.  Or you can go really big and get a whole year for only 10 months ($450 instead of $540).  We only offer this when it falls in line with the USA Fencing calendar, so it is only available for August to July.  Or the 6 month is August – January and a second shot of February – July.  
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Remember, because of our insurance, you cannot fence starting tomorrow unless your USA Fencing dues are up to date.
 
Regular schedule for this week as far as lessons and practice.  That is: club practice Tuesday and Thursday nights, and Saturday morning I will be in starting about 11 am. Saturday mornings have been pretty sparse this year, so please let me know if you are planning on coming in.
 
We had a great advanced foil camp last week with 8 of our younger fencers.
 
Time to start thinking about Fall classes, so here is the schedule so far:
 
August 18                 Tu/Th 6 week beginning evening foil class
September 8             Afterschool fencing starts for advanced fencers
September 9             Homeschool fencing starts for both returners and the new beginner class (8 week)
September 14           Afterschool 6 week beginning classes start
September 14           Mon/Wed 6 week beginning evening foil class
 
INFORMATION ON UPCOMING EVENTS
 
We have had our fall events approved by the North Carolina Division.  Our first event will be on October 24th and will include Open Foil, Open Epee, and a Div III (D and under) Foil event.  The second will be December 5th and will have an Open Foil, Open Epee, and a Div III Epee.  They are now up on askfred, and have caps of 28 fencers, so start getting signed up.  The only people signed up so far are from South Carolina (still).
 
USA Fencing has listed the events for the NACs and SJCCs, even if they don’t have a location secured yet.  Here is the list of the events our people might be interested in:
 
October 9-12              NAC            Orlando, FL                          Div 1, Cadet, Y-14
November 20-23         NAC            Columbus, OH                      Div 1, Junior, Cadet
December 4-6             SJCC          Milwaukee, WI                      Junior, Cadet
January 8-11              JOs             Oklahoma City, OK                Junior, Cadet
February 12-15           NAC            ?                                         Div 1, Junior, Vet Age, Vet Combined
March 5-8                  NAC             ?                                         Y14, Y12, Y10, Div II
April 16-19                 NAC            Cincinnati, OH                      Div 1, Junior, Vet Age, Vet Combined
May ?                        SJCC           ?                                          Junior, Cadet
July 2-11      Summer Nationals      Salt Lake City, UT                All ages and events    
 
ENDING ON A HAPPY NOTE
 
There will be an engagement celebration In New Bern on August 29th to celebrate Ryan Miller and Sarah Kate Childs.  It will start around 2:30 – 3 pm with a dinner at 5 pm.  The location is Marston Crawford’s house, 2504 Old Cherry Point Road in New Bern.  Marston does have one electric strip so some epee bouts will be available.  If you know them and want to attend, RSVP to Donny Zelinski, sallenewbernfencers@gmail.com .
 
UPCOMING EVENTS          
 
The next season starts with a ton of regionals, especially for the under 20 crowd.  The new points rules allow fencers to get points from any regional, not just the ones in their region.  I am starting to see some unusual entries to the events in our region, so keep an eye on something you are interested in and make certain you don’t get capped out. 
 
September 12-13    Regional                 Virginia Beach, VA              Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
September 18-20    Regional                 Myrtle Beach, SC                Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior, Div 1A, Div 2, Vet
              (Obviously, this is the one most of our fencers need to be looking at.  Registration is open from now until August 31, but all the events are capped.  Few entries at the moment, but be certain you get registered before the limits are reached if you are interested,)
 
September 25-27    Regional                 Richmond, VA                     Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior + Adult Combined.  This is a new category that allows fencers 21 and up to fence without running into those still in the Junior category.  This is the first tournament I have seen that is offering this group.
 
October 3-4            Regional                 Suwanee, GA                      Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 9-12          NAC                       Orlando, FL                          ?
 
October 24             CFFA                       Wilmington                        Open foil and epee, Div III foil
 
December 5            CFFA                       Wilmington                        Open foil and epee, Div III epee
 
December 11-13     Regional                  Myrtle Beach                      Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior, Div 1A, Div II, Vet
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 7.26.26

admin News
CFFA Update 7.26.26
RESULTS
 
Mark Benton travelled to Monroe, NC (near Charlotte) yesterday to fence in his first “official” tournament.  It was hosted by the Triple Threat Academy, and they have a nice set up.  They decided to combine their two epee events (Y-10 and Y-14) to get people more fencing.  They had large pools, so each one was a bunch of Y-14s and a few Y-10s.  Mark went 2-5, beating the other Y-10s in his pool.
He won his first DE (which was also combined), beating another of the Y-10 fencers.  In the end, he was the highest-ranking Y-10 and won the gold medal.
 
DUES UPDATES
 
Membership fees for USA Fencing are going up for next season.  Not tons, but about $10 per membership.  However, they don’t technically go up until August 1.  So, if you get your membership before then, you actually still pay this year’s fee. $10 is $10.  Only 5 days left.
 
Long term club dues are also getting close.  You can get 6 months of club membership for the cost of 5 months ($225 instead of $270) by paying August through January all at one time.  Or you can go really big and get a whole year for only 10 months ($450 instead of $540).  We only offer this when it falls in line with the USA Fencing calendar, so it is only available for August to July.  Or the 6 month is August – January and a second shot of February – July.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Regular schedule for this week as far as lessons and practice.  That is: club practice Tuesday and Thursday nights, and Saturday morning I will be in starting about 11 am.  The advanced foil camp starts tomorrow.  
 
Time to start thinking about Fall classes, so here is the schedule so far:
 
August 18                 Tu/Th 6 week beginning evening foil class
September 8             Afterschool fencing starts for advanced fencers
September 9             Homeschool fencing starts for both returners and the new beginner class (8 week)
September 14           Afterschool 6 week beginning classes start
September 14           Mon/Wed 6 week beginning evening foil class
 
GARAGE? BASEMENT? SALE
 
We are selling our club jackets and knickers to our members for $5. We are going to keep it going through the camp season.  Some other clubs want to buy some of our inventory, so this is the last week to get stuff if you are interested.
 
SUMMER CAMPS
 
We had a good beginning foil camp last week and hopefully you will see new faces in the next few weeks.  The advanced foil looks like it is going to be a big come together of most of our up-and-coming foilists, around 10-12 in all.  This may be the strongest advanced foil camp we have ever had.
 
July 27 – 31       Advanced foil
 
Email me if you have questions or want to jump in.  
 
INFORMATION ON UPCOMING EVENTS
 
We have had our fall events approved by the North Carolina Division.  Our first event will be on October 24th and will include Open Foil, Open Epee, and a Div III (D and under) Foil event.  The second will be December 5th and will have an Open Foil, Open Epee, and a Div III Epee.  They are now up on askfred, and have caps of 28 fencers, so start getting signed up.  The only people signed up so far are from South Carolina.
 
The National Office has announced the dates and locations of a couple more of the 2026-2027 National Events.  The April NAC will be the 3rd weekend of April in Cincinnati, Ohio.  That is an easy one day drive (remember I am a Midwesterner) for the NAC. Next year’s Nationals will be July 2-11 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I will probably say this early and often for those thinking about going.  Try to schedule yourself a day or two early to acclimatize before your events.  You will be about 8/10 of a mile high versus the 43 feet of Wilmington.  There is enough to do and visit in SLC that those days can be fun.
 
USA Fencing has listed the events for the NACs and SJCCs, even if they don’t have a location secured yet.  Here is the list of the events our people might be interested in:
 
October 9-12              NAC            Orlando, FL                          Div 1, Cadet, Y-14
November 20-23         NAC            Columbus, OH                      Div 1, Junior, Cadet
December 4-6             SJCC          Milwaukee, WI                      Junior, Cadet
January 8-11              JOs             Oklahoma City, OK                Junior, Cadet
February 12-15           NAC            ?                                         Div 1, Junior, Vet Age, Vet Combined
March 5-8                  NAC             ?                                         Y14, Y12, Y10, Div II
April 16-19                 NAC            Cincinnati, OH                      Div 1, Junior, Vet Age, Vet Combined
May ?                        SJCC           ?                                          Junior, Cadet
July 2-11      Summer Nationals      Salt Lake City, UT                All ages and events    
 
ENDING ON A HAPPY NOTE
 
There will be an engagement celebration In New Bern on August 29th to celebrate Ryan Miller and Sarah Kate Childs.  It will start around 2:30 -3 pm with a dinner at 5 pm.  The location is Marston Crawford’s house, 2504 Old Cherry Point Road in New Bern.  Marston does have one electric strip so some epee bouts will be available.  If you know them and want to attend, RSVP to Donny Zelinski, foilclown@gmail.com.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS          
 
The next season starts with a ton of regionals, especially for the under 20 crowd.
 
September 12-13    Regional                 Virginia Beach, VA              Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
September 18-20    Regional                 Myrtle Beach, SC                Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior, Div 1A, Div 2, Vet
              (Obviously, this is the one most of our fencers need to be looking at.  Registration is open from now until August 31, but all the events are capped.  Few entries at the moment, but be certain you get registered before the limits are reached if you are interested,)
 
September 25-27    Regional                 Richmond, VA                     Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 3-4            Regional                 Suwanee, GA                      Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 9-12          NAC                       Orlando, FL                          ?
 
October 24             CFFA                       Wilmington                        Open foil and epee, Div III foil
 
December 5            CFFA                       Wilmington                        Open foil and epee, Div III epee
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 7.19.26

admin News
CFFA Update 7.19.26
RESULTS
 
Congratulations to Brendan McConville for going undefeated and winning the McDougal.  (He is not really left-handed.)
 
DUES UPDATES
 
Membership fees for USA Fencing are going up for next season.  Not tons, but about $10 per membership.  However, they don’t technically go up until August 1.  So, if you get your membership before then, you actually still pay this year’s fee. $10 is $10.  Only a couple of weeks left.
 
Long term club dues are also getting close.  You can get 6 months of club membership for the cost of 5 months ($225 instead of $270) by paying August through January all at one time.  Or you can go really big and get a whole year for only 10 months ($450 instead of $540).  We only offer this when it falls in line with the USA Fencing calendar, so it is only available for August to July.  Or the 6 month is August – January and a second shot of February – July.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Regular schedule for this week as far as lessons and practice.  That is: club practice Tuesday and Thursday nights, and Saturday morning I will be in starting about 11 am.  The beginning foil camp starts tomorrow.  
 
GARAGE? BASEMENT? SALE
 
We are selling our club jackets and knickers to our members for $5. We are going to keep it going through the camp season.  Some other clubs want to buy some of our inventory, so get stuff now if you are interested.
 
SUMMER CAMPS
 
We had a fun epee camp last week and are going to the camp designed for beginning fencers (or those returning after a break who want a refresher) this week.  The advanced foil looks like it is going to be a big come together of a lot of our up-and-coming foilists.
 
July 20 – 24       Beginner foil
July 27 – 31       Advanced foil
 
Email me if you have questions.  
 
INFORMATION ON UPCOMING EVENTS
 
We have had our fall events approved by the North Carolina Division.  Our first event will be on October 24th and will include Open Foil, Open Epee, and a Div III (D and under) Foil event.  The second will be December 5th and will have an Open Foil, Open Epee, and a Div III Epee.  They are now up on askfred, and have caps of 28 fencers, so start getting signed up.
 
The National Office has announced the dates and locations of a couple more of the 2026-2027 National Events.  The April NAC will be the 3rd weekend of April in Cincinnati, Ohio.  That is an easy one day drive (remember I am a Midwesterner) for the NAC that usually has the Div 1 National Championships and a round of Vet events.  Next year’s Nationals will be July 2-11 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I will probably say this early and often for those thinking about going.  Try to schedule yourself a day or two early to acclimatize before your events.  You will be about 8/10 of a mile high versus the 43 feet of Wilmington.  There is enough to do and visit in SLC that those days can be fun.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS          
 
The next season starts with a ton of regionals, especially for the under 20 crowd.
 
September 12-13    Regional                 Virginia Beach, VA              Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
September 18-20    Regional                 Myrtle Beach, SC                Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior, Div 1A, Div 2, Vet
              (Obviously, this is the one most of our fencers need to be looking at.  Registration is open from now until August 31, but all the events are capped.  Few entries at the moment, but be certain you get registered before the limits are reached if you are interested,)
 
September 25-27    Regional                 Richmond, VA                     Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 3-4            Regional                 Suwanee, GA                      Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 9-12          NAC                       Orlando, FL                          ?
 
October 24             CFFA                       Wilmington                        Open foil and epee, Div III foil
 
December 5            CFFA                       Wilmington                        Open foil and epee, Div III epee
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 7.12.26

admin News
CFFA Update 7.12.26
USA FENCING UPDATES ON THE UPDATES
 
Membership fees for USA Fencing are going up for next season.  Not tons, but about $10 per membership.  However, they don’t technically go up until August 1.  So, if you get your membership before then, you actually still pay this year’s fee. $10 is $10.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Regular schedule for this week as far as lessons and practice.  That is: club practice Tuesday and Thursday nights, and Saturday morning starting about 11 am.  The advanced epee camp starts tomorrow.  We are planning for an opposite handed McDougal on Thursday night.
 
GARAGE? BASEMENT? SALE
 
We are selling our club jackets and knickers to our members for $5. We are going to keep it going for a couple of weeks, but some other clubs want to buy some of our inventory, so get stuff now if you are interested.
 
SUMMER CAMPS
 
Just a reminder that this is the camp schedule for this summer:
 
July 13 – 17       Advanced epee
July 20 – 24       Beginner foil
July 27 – 31       Advanced foil
 
Email me if you have questions.  
 
UPCOMING EVENTS          
 
The next season starts with a ton of regionals, especially for the under 20 crowd.
 
September 12-13    Regional                 Virginia Beach, VA              Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
September 18-20    Regional                 Myrtle Beach, SC                Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior, Div 1A, Div 2, Vet
              (Obviously, this is the one most of our fencers need to be looking at.  Registration is open from now until August 31, but all the events are capped.  Few entries at the moment, but be certain you get registered before the limits are reached if you are interested,)
 
September 25-27    Regional                 Richmond, VA                     Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 3-4            Regional                 Suwanee, GA                      Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 9-12          NAC                       Orlando, FL                          ?
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 7.5.26

admin News
CFFA Update 7.5.26
RESULTS
 
Last Sunday, James Russell and Jackson Jones were on an epee team with Nick Arzt and Michael Edgecomb from Foothills Fencing Academy in South Carolina. Their first match was a close 37-45 loss and they wound up 41/50.  On Monday, those two were in the huge Junior epee. It was so large that instead of the usual 80% going into the DE round, only 60% got to advance.  181 of the 420 fencers were As.  Neither was able to make the stricter cut.  Jackson was 0-6 to finish 409th, and James was 2-4 to finish 299th.  Tuesday was the busy day as we had three Vet fencers in different epee age categories.  Brendan McConville had an excellent 5-1 pool in the Vet-40s to get a bye in the first round of the DEs.  Alas, he then lost a close 9-10 DE to finish 35/82.  Herman Smith was 3-3 in Vet -70, then won his first 2 DEs, before losing to an eventual bronze medalist.  He wound up 14/43.  In Vet-50 we had Robert Thomas.  He was 3-3 in his pool and won his first DE before dropping the second to finish 52/95.  Wednesday finished up the Nationals for our fencers.  In the Div 1-A epee, James was 3-3 in the pool, got a bye, then pulled a big upset, before dropping out.  He finished a respectable 57/187.  Completing our week was Robert in the Vet epee team.  He teamed with Michael Edgecombe, and Scott Salzer from Montana.  Herman captained but didn’t fence.  They won their first DE, before losing the second to finish 30/45.
 
For former teammates, Erica Julien took the silver in the Vet-80 epee for women.  She says her mangled finger isn’t an excuse, but I find that hard to believe.  Kim Phillips claimed the 5th place medal in the Vet 50 men’s epee.
 
I am human and I make mistakes.  I totally missed that James and Jackson were doing the Senior Men’s epee and I wasn’t there for them.  I totally apologize for that.  If you see something I am missing, a date I have wrong, or even just something about which you have a question, please let me know.
 
USA FENCING UPDATES ON THE UPDATES
 
Membership fees for USA Fencing are going up for next season.  Not tons, but about $10 per membership.  However, they don’t technically go up until August 1.  So, if you get your membership before then, you actually still pay this year’s fee. $10 is $10.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
We should be back to our regular schedule for this week as far as lessons and practice.  That is: club practice Tuesday and Thursday nights, and Saturday morning; I have lessons Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and I am uncertain about Brendan’s lessons.  Next week, camps start, so a couple of my lessons will need to move.  
 
GARAGE? BASEMENT? SALE
 
We are selling our club jackets and knickers to our members for $5. Bring it to one of the officers and let us check it to make certain it still passes safety and other regulations, hand us your Abe Lincoln, and it will be yours.  This will be the last time I will mention this, so get things while you can.
 
SUMMER CAMPS
 
Just a reminder that this is the camp schedule for this summer:
 
July 13 – 17       Advanced epee
July 20 – 24       Beginner foil
July 27 – 31       Advanced foil
 
Email me if you have questions.  I will be getting information out to those who have expressed an interest this week.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS          
 
The next season starts with a ton of regionals, especially for the under 20 crowd.
 
September 12-13    Regional                 Virginia Beach, VA              Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
September 18-20    Regional                 Myrtle Beach, SC                Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior, Div 1A, Div 2, Vet
              (Obviously, this is the one most of our fencers need to be looking at.  Registration is open from now until August 31, but all the events are capped.  Few entries at the moment, but be certain you get registered before the limits are reached if you are interested,)
 
September 25-27    Regional                 Richmond, VA                     Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 3-4            Regional                 Suwanee, GA                      Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 9-12          NAC                       Orlando, FL                          ?
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 6.28.26

admin News
CFFA Update 6.28.26
RESULTS
 
Brendan McConville suffered through that nightmare that all fencers have about going to NACs and National Championships.  He arrived in Portland fairly early Friday.  Unfortunately, his weapons, body cords, and masks decided to take some extra sightseeing around the country.  He started his Vet 50 Men’s foil with a new mask, two new body cords, and two brand new, just built weapons.  You cannot get the blades he likes anymore; the blade had a different cant (blade angle) from what he likes, and they were stiff unbroken-in blades.  Just not quite working for him through most of the pool.  His case showed up finally and Lauren brought over his regular weapons.  He was able to win his last bout and his first DE.  Unfortunately, that lined him up to fence the number 1 seed, who was fairly quick (understatement).  He ended up 31st.  No one fencing today.  James Russell and Jackson Jones up tomorrow.
 
Erica Julien won the Vet 80 Women’s sabre and did it with a mangled finger.  She has her epee events today.
 
USA FENCING UPDATES ON THE UPDATES
 
Membership fees for USA Fencing are going up for next season.  Not tons, but about $10 per membership.  However, they don’t technically go up until August 1.  So, if you get your membership before then, you actually still pay this year’s fee. $10 is $10.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
The club is closed this week. We will open back up Tuesday, July 7.
 
GARAGE? BASEMENT? SALE
 
We are selling our club jackets and knickers to our members for $5. Bring it to one of the officers and let us check it to make certain it still passes safety and other regulations, hand us your Abe Lincoln, and it will be yours.  This probably won’t go on much longer, so get things while you can.
 
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
 
I have been informed of another Italian fencer looking for a host family.  Her name is Chiara and she looks to be a right hand pommeling French grip epeeist.  She says she also likes the beach and subjects like biology, psychology, sociology, and anthropology.  She is looking for a whole year placement but is also looking for a Welcome Family.  This would be a placement from August to about Halloween, which would give the organization time to finalize the rest of the year somewhere else.  If anyone is interested, let me know and I will put you in contact with the CIIE representative.  If you want a better idea of how it all works, you can talk to the Popovics.
 
SUMMER CAMPS
 
Just a reminder that this is the camp schedule for this summer:
 
July 13 – 17       Advanced epee
July 20 – 24       Beginner foil
July 27 – 31       Advanced foil
 
Email me if you have questions.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS      
 
June 27 – July 6   USA Fencing                            Portland, OR                Summer Nationals      
 
The next season starts with a ton of regionals, especially for the under 20 crowd.
 
September 12-13    Regional                 Virginia Beach, VA              Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
September 18-20    Regional                 Myrtle Beach, SC                Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior, Div 1A, Div 2, Vet
 
September 25-27    Regional                 Richmond, VA                     Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 3-4            Regional                 Suwanee, GA                      Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 9-12          NAC                       Orlando, FL                          ?
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 6.24.26

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CFFA Update 6.24.26
CFFA WILL BE CLOSED FROM JUNE 26 TO JULY 6
 
Sorry to do this to everybody looking for their fencing fix, but not really a way to avoid it.  The people with the keys will be out in Portland.  Even giving them to responsible people leaves us with the issue that no one else has the availability to deal with the AC on days there would be practice.  Add in the fact that once we get back, we go right into the 4th of July weekend with the 4th on Saturday and it just makes more sense to give everyone a break and hope that absence makes the heart grow fonder.  We will get back to it on Tuesday, July 7th.
 
CAMP REMINDERS
 
Just a reminder that this is the camp schedule for this summer:
 
July 13 – 17       Advanced epee
July 20 – 24       Beginner foil
July 27 – 31       Advanced foil
 
Email me if you have questions.
 
NATIONALS UPDATES
 
Here is the schedule for our fencers at Nationals:
 
Saturday, June 27         Brendan                      Vet 50 foil
Sunday, June 28            (nobody)
Monday, June 29          Jackson & James          Junior epee
Tuesday, June 30         Brendan                       Vet 50 epee
                                  Herman                       Vet 70 epee
                                  Robert                         Vet 50 epee
Wednesday, July 1       James                          Div 1A epee
                                  Herman & Robert          Vet team epee
 
I will publish their results on my regular schedule of updates unless something spectacular happens.  If you want the almost real time results, go to fencingtimelive.com.  You will need to create an account if you do not already have one.  However, since everyone is using fencingtimelive.com to run their tournaments, you would need that anyway if you are competing.
 
Feel free to email me if you have any questions.
 
pax vobiscum,
 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 6.21.26

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CFFA Update 6.21.26
RESULTS
 
I traveled down to Charleston for Edge of America’s Pirate Olympics.  I did the E and under epee.  1- 4 in the pool round.  Won my first DE, then upset the #2 seed, who had been undefeated in the pools.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t solve my next DE and ended up 8/19.  Open sabre didn’t go quite as well. 7 entrants, then one person withdrew right before I was supposed to fence him.  I ended up 1 -5 in the pool and lost my first DE 10-15, to come in 6th.
 
USA FENCING UPDATES ON THE UPDATES
 
Membership fees for USA Fencing are going up for next season.  Not tons, but about $10 per membership.  However, they don’t technically go up until August 1.  So, if you get your membership before then, you actually still pay this year’s fee. $10 is $10.
 
It doesn’t look like USA Fencing has really thought out the Div 1, Junior, and Cadet changes for NACs for the next season.  I asked about JO qualifiers for next season, and they say they will make that decision before August 1.  If they hold qualifiers, they may have so many fencers, it sabotages their 336-person scheme, but if they announce qualifying paths, they are required to go through with them.  My advice to Junior and Cadet fencers is this: Plan to do Regionals early in the season.  If they announce a points threshold for getting into Junior and Cadet events, try to get there as quickly as possible.  Once you get there, if you want to do a NAC (or maybe JOs), enter as soon as registration opens.  Right now, they are saying that they will be doing a wait list once the 336-person limit is met.  It would seem that if you get in, even with the lowest number of necessary points, that you will be in over someone who tries to get in after the limit is reached, even if they have way over the number of points necessary.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Basic summer practice schedule this week.  The main practices stay on Tuesday and Thursday night, practices most Saturdays.  Currently I have some lessons late Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.  This Saturday and early next week will be a bit different due to Herman, Brendan, and I all being out to Portland for Summer Nationals.  I will keep you informed.
 
GARAGE? BASEMENT? SALE
 
We are selling our club jackets and knickers to our members for $5. Bring it to one of the officers and let us check it to make certain it still passes safety and other regulations, hand us your Abe Lincoln, and it will be yours.  This probably won’t go on much longer, so get things while you can.
 
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
 
I have been informed of another Italian fencer looking for a host family.  Her name is Chiara and she looks to be a right hand pommeling French grip epeeist.  She says she also likes the beach and subjects like biology, psychology, sociology, and anthropology.  She is looking for a whole year placement but is also looking for a Welcome Family.  This would be a placement from August to about Halloween, which would give the organization time to finalize the rest of the year somewhere else.  If anyone is interested, let me know and I will put you in contact with the CIIE representative.  If you want a better idea of how it all works, you can talk to the Popovics.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS      
 
June 27 – July 6   USA Fencing                            Portland, OR                Summer Nationals      
 
The next season starts with a ton of regionals, especially for the under 20 crowd.
 
September 12-13    Regional                 Virginia Beach, VA              Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
September 18-20    Regional                 Myrtle Beach, SC                Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior, Div 1A, Div 2, Vet
 
September 25-27    Regional                 Richmond, VA                     Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 3-4            Regional                 Suwanee, GA                      Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 9-12          NAC                       Orlando, FL                          ?
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 6.14.26

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CFFA Update 6.14.26
USA FENCING UPDATES
 
Membership fees for USA Fencing are going up for next season.  Not tons, but about $10 per membership.  However, they don’t technically go up until August 1.  So, if you get your membership before then, you actually still pay this year’s fee. $10 is $10.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Basic summer practice schedule this week.  The main practices stay on Tuesday and Thursday night, practices most Saturdays.  Someone will be in about 11 am this Saturday.  Currently I have some lessons late Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.  Things will probably be a little disrupted in late June and early July as Herman, Brendan, and I will be out in Portland for Nationals.  I will keep you informed.
 
GARAGE? BASEMENT? SALE
 
You may have noticed how hard it is to hang up jackets in the office, not to mention all of the ones that are on the rack in the fencing area.  To solve this issue, do I have a deal for you.  We are going to be selling our club jackets and knickers to our members for $5.  If you have that favorite jacket that you absolutely swear is the only one that fits, now is your time to grab it.  Bring it to one of the officers and let us check it to make certain it still passes safety and other regulations, hand us your Abe Lincoln, and it will be yours.  First come first served. A number of people have already taken advantage of this.
 
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
 
We said a sad goodbye to Alessandra Tuesday night.  However, I have been informed of another Italian fencer looking for a host family.  Her name is Chiara and she looks to be a right hand pommeling French grip epeeist.  She says she also likes the beach and subjects like biology, psychology, sociology, and anthropology.  She is looking for a whole year placement but is also looking for a Welcome Family.  This would be a placement from August to about Halloween, which would give the organization time to finalize the rest of the year somewhere else.  If anyone is interested, let me know and I will put you in contact with the CIIE representative.  If you want a better idea of how it all works, you can talk to the Popovics.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS      
 
June 27 – July 6   USA Fencing                            Portland, OR                Summer Nationals      
 
The next season starts with a ton of regionals, especially for the under 20 crowd.
 
September 12-13    Regional                 Virginia Beach, VA              Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
September 18-20    Regional                 Myrtle Beach, SC                Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior, Div 1A, Div 2, Vet
 
September 25-27    Regional                 Richmond, VA                     Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 3-4            Regional                 Suwanee, GA                      Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 9-12          NAC                       Orlando, FL                          ?
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 6.7.26

admin News
CFFA Update 6.7.26
USA FENCING UPDATES
 
Membership fees for USA Fencing are going up for next season.  Not tons, but about $10 per membership.  However, they don’t technically go up until August 1.  So, if you get your membership before then, you actually still pay this year’s fee. $10 is $10.
 
They are also drastically changing the qualification paths for Cadet, Junior, and Division 1 NACs and Championships starting August 1.  It creates a two tier system for these events.  It is a bit complicated (and the article is a bit vague) so hold on tight.  First, this only applies to National Div 1, Cadet, and Junior events.  It does not apply to eligibility for any local or regional events, or any National Youth, Vet, Div II, or Div III events.  I don’t see any explicit statements about whether this applies to Div 1A events.  It also has no bearing on the current way that National Teams are chosen, although that may change in the future.  At National events, if the field for any of the above three events goes over 168, then it will be split into an Elite event (with 112 fencers) and a National event (with up to 224 fencers).  It does not explicitly say whether A) once there are 336 fencers entered whether higher ranked fencers can enter and push out lower ranked fencers, B) exactly when in the process the split is set as people may be able to up their qualifying point count during the registration process, and C) if fencers withdraw after the registration deadline, if and how replacement fencers will be selected, other than how fencers in the National event could be promoted into the Elite event.  Looking at the upcoming Nationals, all the Cadet and Junior events are over the 168 fencer threshold.  Right now, both Div 1 epee events, and Men’s Div 1 foil are over 168.  Men’s sabre is short by 3 and Women’s sabre is short by 4.  On the other hand Junior men’s sabre and Junior and Cadet epee are all over the 336 fencer upper limit.  Cadet Men’s sabre is at exactly 336, and both Junior Men’s foil and Junior Women’s epee are close to 336.  Your rating as to whether you are Elite or National, your seeding within those events, (and rating to get in?) will be based on your best 6 results in any event, all the way from International competition down to a local competition.  It looks to be based on a system similar to the way points are awarded in national and regional competitions.  Winning gets you a certain points total and where you finish down the line gets you a percentage of that total.  International events get 4000 points for winning, Elite gets 1000. National gets 200, regional gets 100, and local events start at 75 and goes down to 25 depending on what the event is rated.  I want to see the computer program (and computer) that will keep the thousands of competitive fencers’ results totally up to date.  I will do my best to keep you up to date as things become clearer.
 
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
 
The deadline for the Absolute All-American and Academic All-American was moved back to June 12th (Friday).  Here is a link to the applications: 
 
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Basic summer practice schedule this week.  The main practices stay on Tuesday and Thursday night, practices most Saturdays.  I will be in at 11 am this Saturday as 10 proved to be too early.  In fact, only one person came in, so please let me know if anyone intends to show up on Saturday, June 13th.  Last summer it seemed that the foilists came in early and the epeeists showed up closer to noon.  The last beginner class for the academic year will end this week.  Currently I have some lessons late Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.
 
GARAGE? BASEMENT? SALE
 
You may have noticed how hard it is to hang up jackets in the office, not to mention all of the ones that are on the rack in the fencing area.  To solve this issue, do I have a deal for you.  We are going to be selling our club jackets and knickers to our members for $5.  If you have that favorite jacket that you absolutely swear is the only one that fits, now is your time to grab it.  Bring it to one of the officers and let us check it to make certain it still passes safety and other regulations, hand us your Abe Lincoln, and it will be yours.  First come first served.
 
HONORS FOR OUR FRIENDS
 
Donny Zelinski and Zemi Lawrence are being honored by USA Fencing at the Hall of Fame Dinner at the Summer Nationals in Portland.  Donny is receiving an award for his service to the Division and Zemi is receiving one for the work done on making streaming from National events possible.  Congrats for the well-deserved honors to both.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS      
 
A large epee event at Edge of America in South Carolina on June 20th.  E and under, Y12, Women’s, Men’s, Vet combined epee events and a mixed sabre event.  Last possible tune up before Nationals.
 
June 27 – July 6   USA Fencing                            Portland, OR                Summer Nationals      
 
The next season starts with a ton of regionals, especially for the under 20 crowd.
 
September 12-13    Regional                 Virginia Beach, VA              Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
September 18-20    Regional                 Myrtle Beach, SC                Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior, Div 1A, Div 2, Vet
 
September 25-27    Regional                 Richmond, VA                     Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 3-4            Regional                 Suwanee, GA                      Y8, Y10, Y12, Y14, Cadet, Junior
 
October 9-12          NAC                       Orlando, FL                          ?
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association