CFFA update for February 26

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for February 26
All the information is new this week so I am going to go pretty far ahead into the future.

But first the past.  Yesterday, the CFFA homeschool fencers who compete as the Southeastern Cardinals had a match against the Oak Ridge Mustangs and Twin City Narwhals.  They won both matches by the nail biting score of 45-43.  Ethan Kundrat, Zack Maroules, Philip Nazzaro, and Kyler Schoonmaker competed for the Cardinals.

Today is the last day to sign up for the Divisional qualifiers.  They are next weekend in Greensboro to qualify you for National Championships in Salt lake City this summer.  Events contested are the Div II (C and under), Div III (D and under), and Y-14 (ages 11-14).  Many of them will be strong competitions even if you are not looking to go to the Nationals.  Men’s foil is already a C event, epee should be one, and sabre might make a D event.  For the women, epee might reach a C event, foil has a number of fencers, but sabre is smallish.  Check askfred for the days and times and to get preregistered.

Tuesday, a reporter will be in to do an article on Erica for Our State magazine.  It would be nice to have a good crowd fencing in the background.  Otherwise a regular week of practice.

A number of new classes start the first full week in March.  The next afterschool beginner class starts Monday, March 6.  The new evening adult class starts Tuesday, March 7.  A homeschool beginner class starts Wednesday, March 8.  Finally, the next Camp Lejeune class will start Friday evening, March 10.

March 11 is the homeschool league A team Championship at Oak Ridge.  The Cardinals are 5-1 on the season, but most of them have been very close.  They would probably be the favorites, but not prohibitively so.

March 18 is the John Martin Memorial in New Bern.  This is an unsanctioned training tournament with foil at 9 am and epee at 1 pm.  That makes it the perfect type of event for people wanting to put their toe in the water of competition.  You will need a full uniform (knickers and underarm protector) so make certain we know if you want to go.  New Bern is looking to add a y-12 foil which would start a little after the adult foil.  I will give sword points for it to New Bern fencers or to our fencers who want to go up there.  They also want to make it a training tournament for prospective referees.  At sanctioned events referees have to have the professional membership, but they won’t for this one.  The idea is to have the newer referees work with more experienced referees and get observed and constructively criticized.  Solid referees are in short supply in the state, so if you are interested you can pay off the professional membership with just a couple of days of work.  I am going up to referee and should have space for at least a couple of people (fencers or refs).  New Bern provides an excellent lunch for the fencers and refs which is pretty much worth the entry fee by itself.  Check askfred for further updated details and to get signed up.

March 18 also has a sanctioned Women’s epee and Open epee that may get up to a B at the Charlotte Academy of Fencing.  Again, check askfred.

The next CFFA event is the Almost April Fools on March 25.  It has Open mixed foil at 9:30 am, Open mixed epee at 12:30 pm, and a D and under mixed sabre at 3:30 pm.  The epee is on its way to being at least a B, the foil is small at the moment, and hopefully we can get enough sabre fencers and enough with Ds and Es that we can give away a D.  Check on askfred and get signed up now to attract people.

That Saturday is also the homeschool individuals at the moment.  Obviously, I will be here in Wilmington.  All of our A team fencers are qualified so can go and compete without me.

The weekend of April 1-2 is the Ned Light RYC at Mid-South.  This has Y-10, Y-12, and Y-14 events for our fencers who are ready to step up into regional competition.  These can help qualify you for National events, but you will be up against the best fencers in the Southeast.  Check askfred and talk with me to make certain you have the gear you need.

Finally, our next Y-12 competition will be on April 8.  Foil at 10 am, sabre at 1:30 pm, and epee at 3:30 pm.  $5 per event.  Training referees welcome.  I hope to have two more events after that; one in early May and the final event in late May or the first weekend in June.

pax vobiscum,
 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

JO update, classes, entry deadlines

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
JO update, classes, entry deadlines
From the JOs in Kansas City, Will Golder was the lowest rated fencer in the number 7 pool.  Unfortunately, that was how things also turned out.  He did get a couple of touches on a B rated fencer.  The event is large and is being flighted, so I don’t have an idea as to his final placing. 
Last reminder, no afterschool today and no class this evening.
The final day to enter the Baltimore NAC before fees jump is Wednesday.  A quick check and the only people I saw entered were Brendan, Kim, Erica, and Samantha.  This NAC has Div II  (C and under) and Div III (D and under) events.  Therefore, those of you who want to get a bit of the National level tournament experience without fencing As and Bs, should think about this one.  It also has the Div 1 national Championships, so you should get to see some of the Olympians fence.
Also, next Saturday is the last day to enter divisionals before fees go up.
pax vobiscum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for February 18

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for February 18
Another one of those days where I needed to be triplets.  First, a number of UNCW fencers competed in a college club meet at NC State.  In epee, Eli Nathan finished in the top 8, while Seth Garrison took 4th.  In foil, Bracy Heinlein finished in the top 8.

At the JOs in Kansas City, in Junior epee, Samantha Milewski continued her streak of fencing very well and the Fencing Gods not giving her credit for it.  She finished 112th, but was fencing very strongly.  You can ask the three As she beat, one of whom finished 8th.

Saving the best for last, at the High School Individual Championships, Reaghan Juelke persevered through four rounds of pools to come in second.  And she is a freshman.

No afterschool or evening class Monday.  Weather looks to be nice, so I should be back in time for afterschool and evening classes on Tuesday.  After that everything should be back to normal.

The NAC in Baltimore will also be huge.  It has the Div 1 National Championships, plus Vets, Div II, and Div III.  The regular fee deadline is February 22nd.  That is this Wednesday.  Please let me know if you are going so I can plan.

February 25 is a homeschool meet at CFFA.  Time for the meet is 1:30 pm.  We should have the Southeastern team plus teams from Oak Ridge and Twin City.  They fence the Olympic relay format, first to 45 wins.  I am certain our homeschool fencers would like a crowd of supporters.

Also that weekend is the ACC championships at Duke.  There is some talk of taking those interested up to see some very high level college fencing.  I will keep you posted.  Saturday is Women’s individuals and Men’s team events.  Sunday is the reverse.  Let me know if you are interested so we can plan.

March 4-5 are the Division II/III and Y-14 qualifiers in Greensboro.  The entry deadline before fees go up is 2/26.  Check askfred for more info.  Currently we only have 4 fencers entered.

pax vobiscum, 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

Equipment, no class days

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
Equipment, no class days
Herman will be putting together an order so get your desires to him or me by tomorrow night.

I was given a small epee mask in excellent condition by someone who would like to sell it.  Talk to me if interested.

Remember, no afterschool or evening class Thursday and no Camp Lejeune classes Friday.  There will be regular CFFA practice on Thursday night.

No afterschool or evening class Monday.  There wouldn’t have been afterschool in any event because of President’s Day.  I should be back in time for afterschool and class on Tuesday.  However, if you here of travel problems from Kansas City those may not occur.

pax vobiscum,
 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for February 11

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for February 11
Today, Kirin James and Reaghan Juelke represented New Hanover in the NCFL High School Team Championships.  Fencing a person short they still finished 5th in a 10 team field.  Their only loss was to East Chapel Hill, who ended up winning the event.  They defeated Bishop McGuinness and Morehead.  The match with Morehead settled 5th and 6th place.  Reaghan was up in the last encounter of that match and needed to defeat her opponent 5-0 to win the match outright.  And she did.
JOs
are February 17-20.  I will be away and the following changes need to
be made to the schedule.  No afterschool or evening class on Thursday,
February 16.  Regular practice should be available at 7:30 ish with
other officers of the club.  No practice or class at Camp Lejeune
Friday, February 17.  No afterschool or evening class on Monday,
February 20.  Current flight plans should have me back for afterschool
and evening events on February 21.  However, do keep an eye on weather
between here and Kansas City, just in case.

The
NCFL individual championships are February 18th at Greensboro.  Reaghan Juelke is our only participant.

The
NAC in Baltimore will also be huge.  It has the Div 1 National
Championships, plus Vets, Div II, and Div III.  The regular fee deadline
is February 22nd.

February 25 is a homeschool meet at CFFA.  Time for the meet is 1:30 pm.  We should have the Southeastern team plus teams from Oak Ridge and Twin City.  They fence the Olympic relay format, first to 45 wins.  I am certain our homeschool fencers would like a crowd of supporters.

Also
that weekend is the ACC championships at Duke.  There is some talk of
taking those interested up to see some very high level college fencing. 
I will keep you posted.  Saturday is Women’s individuals and Men’s team events.  Sunday is the reverse.

March
4-5 are the Division II/III and Y-14 qualifiers in Greensboro.  The
entry deadline before fees go up is 2/26.  Check askfred for more info.  Currently we only have 4 fencers entered.
pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for February 5

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for February 5
The
next beginner class will start tomorrow, Monday, February 6th at 6:30 pm. 
This one will run on Monday and Wednesday for a little over 6 weeks.  Everything else this week should be regular.

February
11th is the NCFL team championship.  I believe it is at Orange County. 
Right now the New Hanover women are qualified. 

JOs are February 17-20.  I will be away and the following changes need to be made to the schedule.  No afterschool or evening class on Thursday, February 16.  Regular practice should be available at 7:30 ish with other officers of the club.  No practice or class at Camp Lejeune Friday, February 17.  No afterschool or evening class on Monday, February 20.  Current flight plans should have me back for afterschool and evening events on February 21.  However, do keep an eye on weather between here and Kansas City, just in case.

The
NCFL individual championships are February 18th at Greensboro.  I believe Reaghan Juelke is our only participant.

The
NAC in Baltimore will also be huge.  It has the Div 1 National
Championships, plus Vets, Div II, and Div III.  The regular fee deadline
is February 22nd.

February 25 is a homeschool meet at CFFA.  More info as it gets closer.

Also
that weekend is the ACC championships at Duke.  There is some talk of
taking those interested up to see some very high level college fencing. 
I will keep you posted.

March
4-5 are the Division II/III and Y-14 qualifiers in Greensboro.  The
entry deadline before fees go up is 2/26.  Check askfred for more info.  Not very many of our fencers are currently signed up.

Information
has started going up about the State Games for North Carolina.  They
will be going back to the two day format.  The dates are June 17-18 and
the venue is Forsyth Country Day School.  For more information go to
PoweradeStateGames .org.

If
you medaled in either the 2015 or 2016 State games, you are eligible
for the State Games of America event which will be held August 4-6 in
Grand Rapids, Michigan.    Fees are $40 for the first event and $25 for
subsequent events.  Earning any medal in fencing qualifies you to enter
in any event for which you are age/gender appropriate.  More information
on askfred or the State games of America website.

pax vobiscum,
 
 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for January 29

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for January 29
We had a HUGE event yesterday as our Old Man Winter Tournament.  Starting off, Patrick Lausi of Edge of America Fencing won the Open foil.  In what may signify the beginning of the changing of the guard, Will Golder took 2nd, with Oliver Galbraith and Jesse Harvey, all from CFFA, tied for 3rd.  The epee was a solid A2 and provided a number of rank changes.  Aidan McGinnis of Duke won and re-earned his A17.  Andrew Fregenal of Apex took second to earn his B17.  Patrick Lausi was 3rd to re up to a B17
with Andrew Fullmer of NCFDP picking up the second 3rd.  David Hueske of Edge of America Fencing took 8th to re-earn his C17.  Samantha Milewski became the first CFFA fencer to get a 17 behind her rank, re-earning her D.  Ryan De Clerk of NC State earned his D and Royce Windsor of the Wilmington Fencing Club earned his E.  In the nightcap Vet event, Robert Thomas beat fellow CFFA teammate Herman Smith in the final.  Paul Perkins of CFFA tied with Robert Mones of Edge of America Fencing for third.  Thanks to Zemi Lawrence for running the event.  Thanks to Herman, Paul, Brendan McConville, Jesse, and Clayton Olson for refereeing.
Should be a totally regular week of practice.
February 4th is the next homeschool meet, again at Oak Ridge.

Apex is holding youth events on the 4th as well.  All foil, Y-10, Y-12, and Cadet.  Check askfred for further details.

The
next beginner class will start on Monday, February 6th at 6:30 pm. 
This one will run on Monday and Wednesday for a little over 6 weeks.

February
11th is the NCFL team championship.  I believe it is at Orange County. 
Right now the New Hanover women are qualified. 

JOs are February 17-20.  I will be away so some classes will be cancelled.  I will let you know which ones as we get closer.

The
NCFL individual championships are February 18th at Greensboro. 
The NAC in Baltimore will also be huge.  It has the Div 1 National Championships, plus Vets, Div II, and Div III.  The regular fee deadline is February 22nd.

February 25 is a homeschool meet at CFFA.  More info as it gets closer.

Also
that weekend is the ACC championships at Duke.  There is some talk of
taking those interested up to see some very high level college fencing. 
I will keep you posted.

March
4-5 are the Division II/III and Y-14 qualifiers in Greensboro.  The
entry deadline before fees go up is 2/26.  Check askfred for more info.
Information has started going up about the State Games for North Carolina.  They will be going back to the two day format.  The dates are June 17-18 and the venue is Forsyth Country Day School.  For more information go to PoweradeStateGames .org.
If you medaled in either the 2015 or 2016 State games, you are eligible for the State Games of America event which will be held August 4-6 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.    Fees are $40 for the first event and $25 for subsequent events.  Earning any medal in fencing qualifies you to enter in any event for which you are age/gender appropriate.  More information on askfred or the State games of America website.
pax vobiscum,
 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for January 23

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for January 23
At the Hangover Open in Richmond Oliver Galbraith took 7th in the Mixed Open Foil, which was a B event.  Joe McLaughlin took 8th in the D and under mixed sabre which ended up as a C event.  Therefore Joe earned his E.
Our next home USA Fencing event will be the Old Man Winter on January
28th.  Open Foil, Open epee, and Vet 40+ epee.  Epee needs an another A
to be an A event, a B2 as it now stands.  Still very few Vets signed up.  The foil again looks
bare.  Another opportunity
for low level foilists to get some experience and possibly a rating.  Get signed up if you are interested, particularly in the open epee as there are not a lot of referees available and we need to have very accurate numbers early in the week.

The
last NCFL regular season team meet is supposed to be held somewhere on
the 28th, but they are having problems getting a venue.  I will keep
people informed.

February 4th is the next homeschool meet, again at Oak Ridge.
Apex is holding youth events on the 4th as well.  All foil, Y-10, Y-12, and Cadet.  Check askfred for further details.
The next beginner class will start on Monday, February 6th at 6:30 pm.  This one will run on Monday and Wednesday for a little over 6 weeks.

February
11th is the NCFL team championship.  I believe it is at Orange County. 
Right now the New Hanover women are qualified.  Hoggard teams need to make the last meet to be set.

JOs are February 17-20.  I will be away so some classes will be cancelled.  I will let you know which ones as we get closer.

The
NCFL individual championships are February 18th at Greensboro.  We will
need a bit of coordination to make certain everyone has everything they
need as I will be away.

February 25 is a homeschool meet at CFFA.  More info as it gets closer.

Also
that weekend is the ACC championships at Duke.  There is some talk of
taking those interested up to see some very high level college fencing. 
I will keep you posted.
March 4-5 are the Division II/III and Y-14 qualifiers in Greensboro.  The entry deadline before fees go up is 2/26.  Check askfred for more info.

Nobody has really responded to my request about summer camps and I have to start getting information out to websites, etc.  Take a look at this schedule and let me know if there are problems.

July 17 – 21        Beginner Camp
July 24 – 28         Advanced Foil
July 31 – August 4   Advanced Epee
August 7 – 11     Advanced Sabre

pax vobiscum,

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

Encore article

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
Encore article

LIVE LOCAL, LIVE SMALL: Erica Julien takes on the ‘game of living chess’ wi…

A lovely article about Erica in today’s Encore by Gwenyfar Rohler.  I will pick up a hard copy and put it on the board as well.
pax vobisxcum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon