CFFA Update 2.22.26

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CFFA Update 2.22.26

RESULTS

Waylon Shepherd travelled up to the Novice Cup at Apex on Saturday for the Y12 men’s foil.  He went undefeated in his pool, 5-0.  That earned him a bye in the DEs.  He won his first DE but lost the second to the eventual winner.  He ended up 6/25.

The ACC Championships were held this weekend at Duke, with Nicole Milewski fencing epee for UNC-Chapel Hill’s women’s team.  In the team event on Saturday, she was up and down and finished about 50/50 for the day.  In the individuals on Sunday, she was 4-2 in her pool which got her into the DEs, where they only take up the top 8.  She won her first two DEs (over teammates) but lost in the finals to bring home the silver medal.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

 The deadline to enter the Richmond NAC in April is this Wednesday, February 25th.  It has the Division 1 National Championship (you have to have qualified), but also Junior and Vet events.  Right now, I only see Brendan and Jackson entered.

The Divisional II/III and Y14 National Qualifiers are now up on askfred.  Even though the Nationals are in Portland, this should be a good event to attend.  The event is March 21-22, and registration closes on March 15.  The events are still pretty sparse except for the Div II Men’s foil and Div II Men’s epee.

The Lynn Krupey Memorial Iron Maiden is on March 7.  It is the state’s only all women’s event.  We need to get all of our eligible female fencers out to draw in as many other participants as possible.  The foil needs one more warm body to be a D event, the epee could be a C event with four more fencers (one of whom needs to be rated), and sabre could become an E event with one more entry.

Donny Zelinski’s club (Salle New Bern) has scheduled their outdoor epee for April 11th at the Tryon Palace in New Bern.  The Clicks are in and there are 2 Cs from Donny’s club.  If we could just find 2 Bs somewhere and can get a bunch more bodies, it would be an A event.

CLUB UPDATES

My bad, but I kept forgetting to mention this:  Since it is February members can also do a 6 month membership.  For that, you pay for 5 months but get 6 months of fencing.  You pay $225 instead of the $270 if you pay month by month.  This is only available in February and August.

Standard week of practice this week.  The next beginner class starts on Tuesday, March 3rd.

Our upcoming events are on askfred.   Get signed up for the Iron Maiden March 7th and the Stab-a-thon on April 18.  

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                                 

February 28         NCFL & Pisacafe                     Barber Park, Greensboro    Championships         NCFL Individual Championships, Homeschool Team and Individual Championships

 

March   1            Forge Fencing                         Durham                     Youth                               Y10 & Y12 foil,  Y10, Y12, & Y14 sabre    registration closes 2/28

 

March 7               CFFA                                    Wilmington                Iron Maiden                     Women’s open foil, epee, and sabre

 

March 14            On Point                                Clover, SC                  Spring Open                     Open foil, D & under foil   Registration closes 3/12

 

March 14            Pisacafe                                 Fayetteville                Championships                  Middle school individual, homeschool team and individual events 

 

March   20        Greensboro Fencing                   Greensboro                  Friday night epee            Unrated epee   Registration closes 3/18

 

March 21-22        Divisional Quals                       Apex                         Div II/III & Y14 national Qualifiers       Registration closes 3/15

 

March 28          Greensboro Fencing                    Greensboro                   Mixed Greens                E & under foil, epee, sabre      Registration closes 3/25

 

April 11            Salle New Bern                           New Bern                    Skirmish at Tryon Palace    outdoor open epee

 

April 11            Asheville                                    Asheville                      C and under                   C and under men’s and women’s, foil and epee

 

April 18                CFFA                                      Wilmington                Stab-a-thon                     Open foil, open epee, Div III epee

 

April 24-27        NAC                                          Richmond, VA                                                  Div 1, Junior, Vets         Registration closes 2/25

 

May 16              Apex                                        Apex                            Novice Cup                    Y10, Y12, Y 14 foil, adult foil and epee

 

May 30              Apex Fencing                             Apex                         Coach Miller Memorial       Open foil, open epee, Div III foil

 

pax vobiscum,

Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

 

CFFA Update 2.15.26

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CFFA Update 2.15.26
RESULTS
 
At the Cincinnati NAC on Friday Herman Smith participated in the Vet 70 epee.  He was 1-4 in his pool and, unfortunately, drew a person from the pool for his first DE.  He lost a close 7-10 bout to finish 38th.
 
Today, Nicole Milewski fenced in the Div 1 women’s epee event.  She was 6-0 in her pool, beating 4 other As, two of whom were on the national points list.  She got a bye and won her first DE.  She lost her second DE but still finished 33/214.
 
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
 
The Divisional II/III and Y14 National Qualifiers are now up on askfred.  Even though the Nationals are in Portland, this should be a good event to attend.  The event is March 21-22, and registration closes on March 15.  The events are still pretty sparse except for the Div II Men’s foil and Div II Men’s epee.
 
The Lynn Krupey Memorial Iron Maiden is on March 7.  It is the state’s only all women’s event.  We need to get all of our eligible female fencers out to draw in as many other participants as possible.  The foil could end up as a D event, the epee could be a C event, and sabre could become an E event.
 
Donny Zelinski’s club (Salle New Bern) has scheduled their outdoor epee for April 11th at the Tryon Palace in New Bern.  The Clicks are in and there are 2 Cs from Donny’s club.  If we could just find 2 Bs somewhere and can get a bunch more bodies, it would be an A event.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Monday is President’s Day, so no afterschool.  Monday night’s class will meet.  The rest of the week should be smooth sailing.
 
Our upcoming events are on askfred.   Get signed up for the Iron Maiden March 7th and the Stab-a-thon on April 18.  
 
UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                       
 
February 20        Greensboro Fencing                Greensboro                  Friday night foil         Unrated foil   Registration closes 2/18
 
February 21        All-American                            Fayetteville              Bragg Open                 novice men’s and women’s foil  (unsanctioned) 
 
February 21        Apex Fencing                          Apex           10, Y12 mixed foil, men’s, women’s foil, Y10, Y14, Senior mixed epee          unsanctioned    registration closes 2/18           
 
February 28         NCFL & Pisacafe                     Barber Park, Greensboro    Championships         NCFL Individual Championships, Homeschool Team and Individual Championships
 
March   1            Forge Fencing                          Durham                     Youth                               Y10 & Y12 foil,  Y10, Y12, & Y14 sabre    registration closes 2/28
 
March 7               CFFA                                      Wilmington                Iron Maiden               Women’s open foil, epee, and sabre
 
March 14            On Point                                  Clover, SC                  Spring Open                Open foil, D & under foil   Registration closes 3/12
 
March 14            Pisacafe                                 Fayetteville                scrimmage                       Middle school individual, homeschool team and individual events (Not official)
 
March   20        Greensboro Fencing                Greensboro                  Friday night epee         Unrated epee   Registration closes 3/18
 
March 21-22        Divisional Quals                       Apex                         Div II/III & Y14 national Qualifiers       Registration closes 3/15
 
March 28          Greensboro Fencing                Greensboro                   Mixed Greens                E & under foil, epee, sabre      Registration closes 3/25
 
April 11            Salle New Bern                        New Bern                    Skirmish at Tryon Palace    outdoor open epee
 
April 11            Asheville                                 Asheville                      C and under                  C and under men’s and women’s, foil and epee
 
April 18                CFFA                                      Wilmington                Stab-a-thon                Open foil, open epee, Div III epee
 
May 30              Apex Fencing                          Apex                         Coach Miller Memorial           Open foil, open epee, Div III foil
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 2.8.26

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CFFA Update 2.8.26
RESULTS
 
Mea Culpa – I forgot that Robert Thomas did the ROC in Las Vegas on January 31/February 1.  (probably just to escape the weather)  On the 31st in the Vet epee, he was 3-2 in his pool, got a first round bye, but lost the DE to finish 22nd.  At that point, as he put it, the South Korean Junior National Team showed up.  In the Div II epee on Sunday, he was 1-5 in his pool, again got a bye, but lost the DE to finish 57th.  Finally in the Div 1A, he was 1-4 in the pool, got knocked out in the DE, and finished 74th.
 
This Saturday, Jackson Jones and James Russell went to Greensboro for the NCFL team Championships.  Fencing a person short, they defeated the Salem Academy and Northern Guilford three person teams.  That put them into the final against the East Chapel Hill team, also fencing a person short.  At the end of the match the score was 4 1/2- 4 1/2.  James then fenced an extra bout against one of the East Chapel Hill fencers that ended up 4-4 at the end of regulation time.  Unfortunately, the East fencer got the priority touch, but our guys battled some long odds to come out 2nd.
 
Sunday was Senior Appreciation Day at UNC-Chapel Hill.  Nicole Milewski was 5-2 on the day, 1-2 versus NYU, 1-0 versus Air Force, and 3-0 versus Penn State.  She was also the first person they honored for the day.
 
Also fencing was Keely Carter, who is now at Temple fencing sabre.  I know she was 1-1 versus Chapel Hill, which was important as the Owls beat the Heels 14-13.  I know she won some other bouts, but I don’t have her exact record.
 
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
 
The Divisional II/III and Y14 National Qualifiers are now up on askfred.  Even though the Nationals are in Portland, this should be a good event to attend.  The event is March 21-22, and registration closes on March 15.  The events are still pretty sparse except for the Div II Men’s foil and Div II Men’s epee.
 
The Lynn Krupey Memorial Iron Maiden is on March 7.  It is the state’s only all women’s event.  We need to get all of our eligible female fencers out to draw in as many other participants as possible.  The foil could end up as a D event, the epee could be a C event, and sabre could become an E event.
 
If you are looking to go a little farther afield for an event, may I suggest On Point’s Spring Open, March 14.  It is in Clover, SC, just south of Charlotte.  On Point is run by the Viveros family.  Their event last year was a big well run event.  You can talk to Patrick.  He did it last year and it looks like he is going back.  Right now, the open is an A2.  The D and under is a D1 and will probably end up as a C2.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Hopefully the water situation is fixed and the cold temperatures are leaving.  It looks like we should be able to have a pretty normal week of practice this week.  Saturday looks open, so let me know if anyone is up for a Saturday practice.
 
Our next evening beginner class will try again to start, this time Monday night, February 9th (tonight).
 
Our upcoming events are on askfred.   Get signed up for the Iron Maiden March 7th and the Stab-a-thon on April 18.  
 
ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN HOSTING AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?
 
The IIE people think that things have gone so well with Alessandra that they have another fencer looking for a longer term host next school year.  He is Spanish and a 15 year old foil fencer.  

 If you have interest or would like to discuss this, please reach out to:  Janiepd62@gmail.com or you may text or call at 770-468-7103.

UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                       
 
February 12-15    National                                 Cincinnati, OH            NAC                          Div 1, Junior, Vet  
 
February 20        Greensboro Fencing                Greensboro                  Friday night foil         Unrated foil   Registration closes 2/18
 
February 21        All-American                            Fayetteville              Bragg Open                 novice men’s and women’s foil  (unsanctioned) 
 
February 21        Apex Fencing                          Apex           10, Y12 mixed foil, men’s, women’s foil, Y10, Y14, Senior mixed epee          unsanctioned    registration closes 2/18           
 
February 28         NCFL & Pisacafe                     Barber Park, Greensboro    Championships         NCFL Individual Championships, Homeschool Team and Individual Championships
 
March   1            Forge Fencing                          Durham                     Youth                               Y10 & Y12 foil,  Y10, Y12, & Y14 sabre    registration closes 2/28
 
March 7               CFFA                                      Wilmington                Iron Maiden               Women’s open foil, epee, and sabre
 
March 14            On Point                                  Clover, SC                  Spring Open                Open foil, D & under foil   Registration closes 3/12
 
March 14            Pisacafe                                 Fayetteville                scrimmage                       Middle school individual, homeschool team and individual events (Not official)
 
March   20        Greensboro Fencing                Greensboro                  Friday night epee         Unrated epee   Registration closes 3/18
 
March 21-22        Divisional Quals                       Apex                         Div II/III & Y14 national Qualifiers       Registration closes 3/15
 
March 28          Greensboro Fencing                Greensboro                   Mixed Greens                E & under foil, epee, sabre      Registration closes 3/25
 
April 11            Asheville                                 Asheville                      C and under                  C and under men’s and women’s, foil and epee
 
April 18                CFFA                                      Wilmington                Stab-a-thon                Open foil, open epee, Div III epee
 
May 30              Apex Fencing                          Apex                         Coach Miller Memorial           Open foil, open epee, Div III foil
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 1.25.26

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CFFA Update 1.25.26
RESULTS
 
We didn’t hold our scheduled event yesterday.  Partly due to weather in the western part of the state and partly due to the gym’s water situation.
 
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
 
The Divisional II/III and Y14 National Qualifiers are now up on askfred.  Even though the Nationals are in Portland, this should be a good event to attend.  The event is March 21-22, and registration closes on March 15.  The events are still pretty sparse except for the Div II Men’s foil.
 
If you are looking to go a little farther afield for an event, may I suggest On Point’s Spring Open, March 14.  It is in Clover, SC, just south of Charlotte.  On Point is run by the Viveros family.  Their event last year was a big well run event.  You can talk to Patrick.  He did it last year and it looks like he is going back.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
I don’t yet know how the loss of water to the gym may affect things.  The City has said all will be fixed by the end of this weekend, but they originally said it would be fine by Friday night.  Should be club practice Tuesday and Thursday night.  Afterschool on Monday and Wednesday at 3:30 pm and Homeschool on Wednesday at 1 pm.  
 
Our next evening beginner class will start February 2nd and be a Monday/Wednesday class.
 
I don’t see anyone other than Herman for the Cincinnati NACs.  It doesn’t look like anyone close is holding an event on that Saturday (February 14).  That would make it possible to hold one of our club age 12 and under events.  Let me know if people 12 and under are up for an event on February 14. So far there does not seem to be much interest.
 
Our upcoming events are on askfred.  The Lynn Krupey Memorial Iron Maiden is on March 7, and the Stab-a-thon is on April 18.
 
We are no longer hosting the state High School team Championships on February 7th.  
 
UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                     
 
January 31           Pisacafe                                 Greensboro                meet                       Middle school individual, homeschool team and individual events 
 
February 1            Forge Fencing                       Durham                     Youth                        Y10 & Y12 foil,  Y10, Y12, & Y14 sabre    registration closes 1/31
 
February 7           NCFL                                     Greensboro                 meet                       Team Championships     A Team foil and Epee teams only    
 
February 12-15    National                                 Cincinnati, OH            NAC                          Div 1, Junior, Vet  
 
February 20        Greensboro Fencing                Greensboro                  Friday night foil         Unrated foil   Registration closes 2/18
 
February 21        All-American                            Fayetteville              Bragg Open                 novice men’s and women’s foil  (unsanctioned) 
 
February 21        Apex Fencing                          Apex           10, Y12 mixed foil, men’s, women’s foil, Y10, Y14, Senior mixed epee          unsanctioned    registration closes 2/18           
 
February 28         NCFL & Pisacafe                     Barber Park, Greensboro    Championships         NCFL Individual Championships, Homeschool Team and Individual Championships
 
March   1            Forge Fencing                          Durham                     Youth                               Y10 & Y12 foil,  Y10, Y12, & Y14 sabre    registration closes 2/28
 
March 7               CFFA                                      Wilmington                Iron Maiden               Women’s open foil, epee, and sabre
 
March 14            On Point                                  Clover, SC                  Spring Open                Open foil, D & under foil   Registration closes 3/12
 
March 14            Pisacafe                                 Fayetteville                scrimmage                       Middle school individual, homeschool team and individual events (Not official)
 
March   20        Greensboro Fencing                Greensboro                  Friday night epee         Unrated epee   Registration closes 3/18
 
March 21-22        Divisional Quals                       Apex                         Div II/III & Y14 national Qualifiers       Registration closes 3/15
 
March 28          Greensboro Fencing                Greensboro                   Mixed Greens                E & under foil, epee, sabre      Registration closes 3/25
 
April 11            Asheville                                 Asheville                      C and under                  C and under men’s and women’s, foil and epee
 
April 18                CFFA                                      Wilmington                Stab-a-thon                Open foil, open epee, Div III epee
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 1.18.26

admin News
CFFA Update 1.18.26
RESULTS
 
James Russell went to the individual qualifying event for the NCFL at Chapel Hill High School yesterday.  He started slowly, losing every bout in the pool round.  He then got it together and won all of his DEs to finish first.
 
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
 
The Old Man Winter’s last day to sign up at the lower fees is today.  The epee is full and wait listed.  The foil and Vet epee have both reached 15 so should be rated higher than an E event.  Right now, the foil is a D event and the Vet epee should be a C.
 
The Divisional II/III and Y14 National Qualifiers are now up on askfred.  Even though the Nationals are in Portland, this should be a good event to attend.  The event is March 21-22, and registration closes on March 15.  The events are still pretty sparse except for the Div II Men’s foil.
 
The 31st is the next Homeschool/Pisacafe event, in Greensboro.  Start getting signed up as registration closes on January 28th.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Things are getting back to normal after the break.  Club practice Tuesday and Thursday night.  Afterschool on Monday and Wednesday at 3:30 pm and Homeschool on Wednesday at 1 pm.  No afterschool this Monday (MLK Day).
 
I don’t see anyone other than Herman for the Cincinnati NACs.  It doesn’t look like anyone close is holding an event on that Saturday (February 14).  That would make it possible to hold one of our club age 12 and under events.  Let me know if people 12 and under are up for an event on February 14. So far there does not seem to be much interest.
 
Our upcoming events are now up on askfred.  The Lynn Krupey Memorial Iron Maiden is on March 7, and the Stab-a-thon is on April 18.
 
We will be hosting the state High School team Championships on February 7th.  I will want to try to enlist some help with set up/tear down and maybe some help with refereeing.  (foil and epee)
 
UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                     
 
January 24           CFFA                                     Wilmington               Old Man Winter          Open foil, Open epee, Vet epee
 
January 23-25       National                                Memphis, TN             SJCC                        Memphis
 
January 31           Pisacafe                                 Greensboro                meet                       Middle school individual, homeschool team and individual events     
 
February 7           NCFL                                     Wilmington                 meet                       Team Championships     A Team foil and Epee teams only    
 
February 12-15    National                                 Cincinnati, OH            NAC                          Div 1, Junior, Vet                 
 
February 28         NCFL & Pisacafe                     Barber Park, Greensboro    Championships         NCFL Individual Championships, Homeschool Team and Individual Championships   
 
March 7               CFFA                                      Wilmington                Iron Maiden               Women’s open foil, epee, and sabre 
 
March 21-22        Divisional Quals                       Apex                         Div II/III & Y14 national Qualifiers       Registration closes 3/15
 
April 18                CFFA                                      Wilmington                Stab-a-thon                Open foil, open epee, Div III epee
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 1.11.26

admin Uncategorized
CFFA Update 1.11.26
RESULTS
 
We have a couple of fencers at the Junior Olympics in Kansas City, Patrick Gadow and Jackson Jones.  They fence today and tomorrow, so I will update everyone after they have finished their events this week.
 
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
 
The Divisional II/III and Y14 National Qualifiers are now up on askfred.  Even though the Nationals are in Portland, this should be a good event to attend.  The event is March 21-22, and registration closes on March 15.  The events are still pretty sparse except for the Div II Men’s foil.
 
The 17th of January will be the individual qualifying/seeding round for the High School League Championship in Greensboro on the 21st of February.  High School foilists and epeeists(non-homeschool) can participate if you want to see how you stack up against the better high school foilists and epeeists in the Eastern part of the state.  However, none of you (except for James and Jackson) have participated in enough events that you can advance to the finals.  Let me know if you are interested.
 
The 31st is the next Homeschool/Pisacafe event, in Greensboro.  Start getting signed up as registration closes on January 28th.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Things are getting back to normal after the break.  Club practice Tuesday and Thursday night.  Afterschool on Monday and Wednesday at 3:30 pm and Homeschool on Wednesday at 1 pm.  No afterschool next Monday (MLK Day).
 
I don’t see anyone other than Herman for the Cincinnati NACs.  It doesn’t look like anyone close is holding an event on that Saturday (February 14).  That would make it possible to hold one of our club age 12 and under events.  Let me know if people 12 and under are up for an event on February 14.
 
Our upcoming events are now up on askfred.  The Old Man Winter on January 24 needs bodies, particularly in foil and Vet epee to get people interested. There are only a few spots left for the open epee.  The Lynn Krupey Memorial Iron Maiden is on March 7, and the Stab-a-thon is on April 18.
 
We will be hosting the state High School team Championships on February 7th.  I will want to try to enlist some help with set up/tear down and maybe some help with refereeing.  (foil and epee)
 
UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                     
 
January 17           NCFL                                     Chapel Hill High         Individual seeding event 
 
January 24           CFFA                                     Wilmington               Old Man Winter          Open foil, Open epee, Vet epee
 
January 23-25       National                                Memphis, TN             SJCC                        Memphis
 
January 31           Pisacafe                                 Greensboro                meet                       Middle school individual, homeschool team and individual events     
 
February 7           NCFL                                     Wilmington                 meet                       Team Championships     A Team foil and Epee teams only    
 
February 12-15    National                                 Cincinnati, OH            NAC                          Div 1, Junior, Vet                 
 
February 28         NCFL & Pisacafe                     Barber Park, Greensboro    Championships         NCFL Individual Championships, Homeschool Team and Individual Championships   
 
March 7               CFFA                                      Wilmington                Iron Maiden               Women’s open foil, epee, and sabre 
 
March 21-22        Divisional Quals                       Apex                         Div II/III & Y14 national Qualifiers       Registration closes 3/15
 
April 18                CFFA                                      Wilmington                Stab-a-thon                Open foil, open epee, Div III epee
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 1.4.26

admin News
CFFA Update 1.4.26
RESULTS
 
We had a number of people do events at the Fredericksburg ROC/RJCC this last weekend.  First up, on Friday, were James Russell and Jackson Jones in the extremely nasty Div 1-A men’s epee.  Over 60% of the field were As and Bs, over 80% were As, Bs, and Cs.  Jackson was 3-3 in his pool, lost his first DE to another B and finished 72/107.  James had a very good 5-1 pool round, got a first round bye, and lost his first DE to another B to finish 36th.  On Saturday, Joel Ertzberger had a good 3-2 pool in the Y14 foil.  He earned a first round bye, but unfortunately drew a person he had beaten in the pool for his first DE.  His opponent got revenge, but Joel still finished a solid 11/23.  The afternoon was a much harder Div II event.  Joel was 0-6 in the pool and drew the undefeated number 2 seed, who was in his pool for his first DE.  He scored a lot more points against the fencer in his DE but still lost to finish 31st.  On Sunday, Jackson and James were back for the Junior epee. which was almost as hard as the Div 1-A.  (over 40% As & Bs, over 60% As, Bs, & Cs).  Jackson was 4-2 in his pool.  He earned a first round bye and won a good first DE.  Unfortunately, he then drew the number 1 seed who is currently the #80 Junior fencer in the world.  He lost but scored as many touches as everyone in the other fencer’s whole pool scored against him.  That fencer went on to win the event.  Jackson finished a very respectable 28/94.  James was 5-1 in his pool, earning a first round bye.  He won his first DE and then drew a fencer he had lost to in the pool.  It was a closer 14-15 this time, but James still ended up as the top North Carolina fencer at 21/94.  Herman Smith was our last participant, fencing in the Vet men’s epee.  He was 0-5 and unfortunately drew the eventual silver medalist as his first DE.  He finished 29th.
 
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
 
The Divisional II/III and Y14 National Qualifiers are now up on askfred.  Even though the Nationals are in Portland, this should be a good event to attend.  The event is March 21-22, and registration closes on March 15.  The events are still pretty sparse.
 
The 17th of January will be the individual qualifying/seeding round for the High School League Championship in Greensboro on the 21st of February.  High School foilists (non-homeschool) can participate if you want to see how you stack up against the better high school foilists in the Eastern part of the state.  However, none of you have participated in enough events that you can advance to the finals.  Let me know if you are interested.
 
The 31st is the next Homeschool/Pisacafe event, in Greensboro.  Start getting signed up as registration closes on January 28th.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Things are getting back to normal after the break.  Club practice Tuesday and Thursday night, plus I should be in Saturday at 10 if anyone is up for a Saturday practice (see below)
 
Afterschool will start back up today, January 5th, the next evening beginner class will start tomorrow, the 6th, and the next homeschool beginner class will start on Wednesday, the 7th.
 
People are going to KC, but I cannot because of the start of UNCW classes, and I don’t see anyone other than Herman for the Cincinnati NACs.  It doesn’t look like anyone close is holding an event on those Saturdays (January 10 and February 14).  That would make one or both of them possible dates to hold one of our club age 12 and under events.  Let me know if anyone is interested.  No one has said anything about the 10th, so too close to consider that.  Let me know if people 12 and under are up for an event on February 14.
 
Our next year’s events are now up on askfred.  The Old Man Winter on January 24 needs bodies, particularly in foil and Vet epee to get people interested. The Lynn Krupey Memorial Iron Maiden is on March 7, and the Stab-a-thon is on April 18.
 
We will be hosting the state High School team Championships on February 7th.  I will want to try to enlist some help with set up/tear down and maybe some help with refereeing.  (foil and epee)
 
MOLTO BENE
 
Remember the possible exchange student Italian women’s foil fencer I mentioned a while back?  Her name is Alessandra.  She is going to be hosted by the Popovic’s and will be here from about mid-January to May.  Your job is to make her feel comfortable and let her transition be as smooth as possible.  Also to steal every new fencing drill, style, and idea that she brings to the table (LOL)  We’ll keep you updated for the specifics.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS                                                                     
 
January 9-12        National                                 Kansas City, MO        Junior Olympics         Cadet, Junior
 
January 17           NCFL                                     Chapel Hill High         Individual seeding event 
 
January 24           CFFA                                     Wilmington               Old Man Winter          Open foil, Open epee, Vet epee
 
January 23-25       National                                Memphis, TN             SJCC                        Memphis
 
January 31           Pisacafe                                 Greensboro                meet                       Middle school individual, homeschool team and individual events     
 
February 7           NCFL                                     Wilmington                 meet                       Team Championships     A Team foil and Epee teams only    
 
February 12-15    National                                 Cincinnati, OH            NAC                          Div 1, Junior, Vet                 
 
February 28         NCFL & Pisacafe                     Barber Park, Greensboro    Championships         NCFL Individual Championships, Homeschool Team and Individual Championships   
 
March 7               CFFA                                      Wilmington                Iron Maiden               Women’s open foil, epee, and sabre 
 
March 21-22        Divisional Quals                       Apex                         Div II/III & Y14 national Qualifiers       Registration closes 3/15
 
April 18                CFFA                                      Wilmington                Stab-a-thon                Open foil, open epee, Div III epee
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update 12.28.25

admin News
CFFA Update 12.28.25
RESULTS
 
James Russell was our only competitor in this week’s Fredericksburg RJCC (from what I saw).  He was entered in the A3 level Junior Men’s epee.  He drew the number one pool and went 4-2.  He won his first 2 DEs, one was over the number 8 seed in the DE, before bowing out to a Nationally ranked A from New Jersey.  He is going to end up around 12th or 13th.
 
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
 
The Divisional II/III and Y14 National Qualifiers just went up on askfred.  Even though the Nationals are in Portland, this should be a good event to attend.  The event is March 21-22 and registration closes on March 15.
 
CLUB UPDATES
 
Practice Tuesday, December 30th.  No practice, Thursday, January 1.  Probably practice Saturday, January 3rd, but I will be away to the Fredericksburg Regional, so look for updates to be certain.  Should be back to normal on January 5th.
 
Afterschool will start back up on January 5th, the next evening beginner class will start the 6th, and the next homeschool beginner class will start on the 7th.
 
People are going to KC, but I cannot because of the start of UNCW classes, and I don’t see people signed up for the Cincinnati NACs.  It doesn’t look like anyone close is holding an event on those Saturdays (January 10 and February 14).  That would make one or both of them possible dates to hold one of our club age 12 and under events.  Let me know if anyone is interested.
 
Our next year’s events are now up on askfred.  The Old Man Winter on January 24 needs bodies in every weapon to get people interested. The Lynn Krupey Memorial Iron Maiden is on March 7, and the Stab-a-thon is on April 18.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS                                                               
 
January 2-4          RYC/RJCC/ROC                       Fredericksburg, VA    Fairfax Challenge     Y8,Y10,Y12,Y14, Cadet, Junior, D 1A, D II, Vet      
 
January 9-12        National                                 Kansas City, MO        Junior Olympics         Cadet, Junior
 
January 17           NCFL                                     Chapel Hill High         Individual seeding event 
 
January 24           CFFA                                     Wilmington               Old Man Winter          Open foil, Open epee, Vet epee
 
January 23-25       National                                Memphis, TN             SJCC                        Memphis
 
January 31           Pisacafe                                 Greensboro                meet                       Middle school individual, homeschool team and individual events     
 
February 7           NCFL                                     Wilmington                 meet                       Team Championships     A Team foil and Epee teams only    
 
February 12-15    National                                 Cincinnati, OH            NAC                          Div 1, Junior, Vet                 
 
February 28         NCFL & Pisacafe                     Barber Park, Greensboro    Championships         NCFL Individual Championships, Homeschool Team and Individual Championships   
 
March 7               CFFA                                      Wilmington                Iron Maiden               Women’s open foil, epee, and sabre 
 
March 21-22        Divisional Quals                       Apex                         Div II/III & Y14 national Qualifiers       Registration closes 3/15
 
April 18                CFFA                                      Wilmington                Stab-a-thon                Open foil, open epee, Div III epee
 

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update for April 6

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CFFA Update for April 6

RESULTS

 Three of our fencers went all the way to Asheville for their Spring event.  In their Div III event (D and under), Walter Davis was 1-4 in his pool and won his first DE before bowing out to the eventual winner.  However, Walter did get more touches on him than anyone else in the DE and finished 15th of 23.  Thoren Davis (no relation), was 2-3 in his pool, and won his first 2 DEs, to finish 8th.  Joel Ertzberger was 2-2 in his pool and also won his first two DEs, before losing to the silver medalist and coming in 7/23.  In the Unrated event, Joel was 3-1 in the opening pool.  Unfortunately, he ran into the other left hander in the event, who ended up winning a bronze, but gave him a hard fought 13-15 bout, to finish 9/16.  Walter was 2-2 in his pool. won his first DE, before again, running into the eventual winner and finished 8/16.  Thoren was 3-2 in his pool, also won his first DE before bowing out to the eventual silver medalist and finished 7/16.

The guys fenced well throughout the event.  They are starting to win the majority of their pool bouts, and no one got blown out in any of their DEs.  We are now starting to get a cadre of foilists who are starting to win DEs and are on the cusp of being medal threats for these levels of events.

CLUB STATUS

 The next beginner evening class will start tomorrow, Monday, April 7, and be a Monday/Wednesday class.  We will have a Saturday practice on the 12th and maybe the 19th.  On Saturdays, I tend to come in about 10 am and the fencers tend to show up in two waves.  The foilists tend to show up around 10 am and the epeeists arrive closer to noon.  St Mary is on Spring Break the week of April 14, so no afterschool.  We will figure out if the Homeschoolers want to meet on that Wednesday.

SOME EVENTS TO LOOK AT

The Delta H Club in Greensboro is doing a team event on the 12th.  All-American in Fayetteville is hosting Y10, Y12, and open unsanctioned foil on the 12th as well.  

On Point, just over the border in South Carolina, is doing a D and under and open foil and epee on the 26th.  The open foil is an A event.  The D and under foil needs one more D to become a C event.  The epee events are much smaller and weaker.

May 9-11 is a regional in Fredericksburg, VA.  Jackson, James, and Herman are already in.  Right now, most of the events are not very large.  The Vet events are manageable.  The only bigger events at the moment are cadet and junior men’s epee.  This might be a good event for those of you qualified for Nationals as the step up between local and National events.  Entry fees go up on April 21, so let me know if you jump in.

I am looking to have the final two in house 12 and under events on May 3rd and May 24th.

Also, on the 24th, Fayetteville is having Vet combined Men’s and Women’s epee.

pax vobiscum,

Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

CFFA Update for March 9

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CFFA Update for March 9

RESULTS

A huge number of our fencers were in the last Pisacafe event of the season and the Homeschool State Championships. For some of them this was their first tournament or their first non in house event.

The day started off well as the Southeastern Cardinals team of Patrick Gadow, Thomas Knosky, Joel Ertzberger, and Will Huff won the State Homeschool Team Championship. This is the first time the Cardinals have won the State Team Championship and it truly was a team effort as a number of other Cardinals have fenced on the team over the course of the season. They defeated both the Dead Squirrels (45-30) and Musketeers (45-15).

In the Pisacafe Elementary event all of our fencers won at least one bout. Oliver Hughes was 0-3 in his pool and Ana Gadow was 1-2 in hers. They tangled in their DE and Oliver came out on top. Oliver then lost to eventual winner, Olivia McKinney from All-American in his next DE. Ana finished 9th and Oliver 8th. Jeremiah Yandle was 1-3 in the pool and got a bye, but ran into Waylon Shepherd who was 3-0 in his pool, with Waylon winning. Jeremiah finished 7th. Emma Yandle was 1-2 in her pool and got a bye only to have to fence Graham Betz, who was 2-1 in his pool. Graham won, so Emma finishes 6th. Benjamin Knosky went 2-2 in his pool, and received a bye, but lost to Lucas Hein of All-American in his DE so finished 5th. Olivia beat Lucas, and Waylon beat Graham in a close match, before losing to Olivia in the final. Thus, it was Olivia for the gold, Waylon for the silver, and Graham and Lucas for the bronzes.

During the Middle School Pisacafe tournament, similar things happened. Jocelynn Hughes, in her first fencing event, went 0-3 and met Morgan Madden 3-0 in her DE. She finished 7th. Levi Knosky was 1-2 in his pool and lost to Julian Telles of All-American to finish 6th. Morgan lost a close bout to Gideon Hartman of All-American to earn a bronze. Caleb Yandle was 3-0 in his pool and won all three of his DEs to win the gold, with Gideon earning the silver and Julian the other bronze.

The Cardinals had 12 of the 15 fencers in the Homeschool individual Championships, so there was a lot of beating on each other. Jocelynn finished 15th, Patton Ellis was 14th, Anna Knosky met Aidan Yandle in her DE and finished 13th, Levi lost a close bout to Caleb (3-1) to finish 12th, and Morgan lost to Thomas (3-1) to finish 11th. Will was 2-2 in his pool while Charlotte Yandle was 1-3, but in their DE Charlotte pulled a mild upset. Will finished 9th and Charlotte lost her next DE to the eventual winner to come in 8th. Caleb lost to Aidan to finish 7th. Joel pulled a clean 4-0 round (all the victories were 5-0) got a bye but lost a close DE to Patrick (2-2) to finish 5th. In the semis Patrick beat Aidan, and Thomas lost a close bout to Zion Facey of All-American. In the finals, Patrick lost an agonizingly close bout to Zion.

For the epee, it was all Cardinals. In the pool it was Everleigh Sutcliffe 2-0, Jules Kelley 1-1 and Rhett Kelley 0-2. In the DEs, Rhett got a 1 point revenge victory against his sister, but Everleigh held onto her number 1 position. Therefore, it was Everleigh gold, Rhett silver and Jules bronze.

Thanks to Valeria Gerasimova who ran the event, Isaac Canady, Lily Kube, Gerhard and Isabelle Guevarra for reffing and Herman Smith for armoring, as well as everyone who helped with the tear down and clean up.

At the NCAA Mid-Atlantic South Regional, Nicole Milewski had an excellent 5-1 first round. Because of the weird way that they organize the regional, she then got the number 1 and 2 seeds from the first round, plus the former world junior champion in her pool in the second round. She went 1-4 in the pool and came out 22nd of 51 for the event.

CLUB STATUS

Standard week of classes this week. New afterschool and homeschool classes start next week.

IRON MAIDEN

Today is the last day to get entered for the Iron Maiden at the regular fee. The foil is a 17 person possible D, the epee is a 16 person possible C (but could use some higher ranked fencers), and the saber is 6 person E.

SUMMER CAMPS

Finally have a schedule for the summer camps and we will be going with something a bit different this year. Three levels of foil camps: the standard beginner camp, an intermediate camp, and a more advanced camp. The intermediate camp will be for those fencers who are definitely not beginners but are just starting to do tournaments. The advanced camp is for those who have a fair amount of tournament experience, hopefully including some Regional and/or National events. The hope is that we can address some issues differently and that nobody is having to fence people at an entirely different level all week.

July 14-18 Epee Camp all levels

July 21-25 Advanced Foil Camp

July 28- August 1 Intermediate Foil Camp

August 4-8 Beginner Camp

pax vobiscum,

Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association