Monday NAC update

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
Monday NAC update
On Monday we had a Women’s Epee Team consisting of Erica Julien, Christi Golder, and Nicole Milewski compete at the NAC.  They cam in as the number 9 seed and therefore fenced the 8th seed, a team of women from South Carolina.  To be honest everyone was only fencing so-so in the beginning.  You fence nine encounters with each one climbing 5 points higher as the target, so the last one should end at 45.  At the end of the 8th encounter the score was 40-24 in favor of the South Carolinians.  Nicole was our anchor and two minutes and ten seconds later the score was Cape Fear 45 South Carolina 44.  She outscored her opponent 21-4, including the last 8 straight.
That got them the Number 1 seed, a trio of women from Northwestern University.  All three of the women are currently in the top 60 in the country.  Our women started slowly, so after the first two rounds (6 encounters) the score was 30 – 8.  They then decided there was no reason to hold back and lost the last round by a score of 13-15 so the final was 45-21.  Erica went 5-5 with her opponent (she actually got to 5 first, so if it was a pool bout she would have won).  Christi went 3-5 and Nicole finished out with another 5-5 score.  Northwestern went on to win the event and en route to that defeated the Temple University team 45-27, so absolutely nothing to complain about for how our team did.
Will Golder fenced the Div 1 Men’s “consolation” event.  It took him a while to convert his thinking from foil to epee, but his last three bouts were all very solid.  He won 1, but didn’t make the DEs.
I do want to comment on the really excellent support that all of our fencers gave each other throughout the entire weekend.
Also, I didn’t say specifically in the weekly email, so there IS practice Tuesday and Thursday night.  The UNCW club won’t get back to Wednesday night for a couple of weeks, but if anyone wants to come in I will be there.  Just let me know so I can get the word out.  Also, Kim may be in on Thursday night if anyone is looking for some sabre practice.  Plus there will be homeschool and afterschool for the rest of the week.
pax vobiscum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

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

CFFA update for 1/6

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for 1/6

Busy weekend with multiple events going on.  At the NAC in Charlotte we had Erica Julien and Nicole Milewski competing in the Division 1 women’s epee.  This is the highest level of fencing there is in the United States.  It has a convoluted format.  It is a two day event.  The first day the top 62 fencers are given a bye into the second day.  The other fencers fence a tournament that stops when they get to the top 64 fencers.  Those 126 then basically continue into a second tournament on the 2nd day, and fence to a winner.  Everyone who gets knocked out on the first day get to have their own new tournament on the second day.  Erica and Nicole both fenced on the first day and then the “consolation” round the second.  Erica got a lot of play on the Vet’s website for easily being the oldest fencer in the event.  She didn’t win any, but pushed one of the fencers who finished in the mid-forties to 4-5.  Plus, she is on a first name basis with Miles Chamley-Watson.  Nicole went 2-3 in her pool, but lost her first DE to an A fencer.  On the second day, she went 4-1 and won her first DE.  She then lost 12-15 to the Notre Dame A fencer who went on to win the whole event.  Today Nicole fenced in the Junior event and the last two days of hard fencing showed as she did not make the cut into the DEs.  Also fencing a Division 1 event today was Kim Phillips.  He was also probably the oldest fencer in the field.  (Where are our younger fencers?)  Division 1 sabre is done in the usual individual format.  Kim just missed the cut into the DEs by 3 or 4 positions.  Will Golder fenced the men’s epee Division 1.  He has never fenced an epee event outside of local events.  That is like going from junior high basketball to playing in the NBA.  Will didn’t make the cut, so he will be fencing in the “consolation” tournament tomorrow.  Also fencing tomorrow will be a women’s epee team of Erica, Nicole, and Christi Golder.  I will let you all know how they do.
On Saturday, there was also a homeschool meet in Winston-Salem.  Th Southeastern Cardinal team of Eoin, Eilis, and Eamon O’Brien went 3-1.  The Jacksonville Hurricanes team of Noah Snyder, Matthew Burns, and Matthan Droke went 1-3.  In the Individual B pool, Ellery O’Brien was 1-1.
No afterschool on Monday January 7th as I will still be in Charlotte with Will.
The new evening class will start on Tuesday, January 8th, at 6:30 pm.  The new class at Topsail Middle school will start on Friday, January 11th.  Camp Lejeune will also get started back up on that Friday with a new beginner class.
January 12 is the next NCFL meet.  It will be held at Chapel Hill.  It will be the final regular season team meet.
Also on this weekend is a foil and epee RYC in Apex.  The events are Y-10, Y-12, and Y-14.  Registration at the regular price has ended.  It looks like Amelia and Jackson are fencing on the 13th, so I will be up for that.
For adults, there is the Hangover in Richmond that weekend.  Right now it looks small, but it is hard to tell with entries only being accepted through askfred.
Also on the 13th is Mid-South’s first set of Youth events for 2019.  Check askfred for particulars.
January 19th is a homeschool meet at our club.  Looking at a 10 am start time.
Our first event of 2019 will be the Old Man Winter on January 26th.  Open foil, open epee, and Vet epee.  IMPORTANT!!  We are going to start requiring that people are registered a week before the event to get the regular pricing.  We have been unable to gauge the size of events in a manner that lets us hire the correct number of referees.  If we expect a large crowd that doesn’t materialize the club loses money.  If we wait and things pop a day or two before the event, it can be hard to find any local referees.  Then some of our fencers have to drop out to help referee.  Anyone registering after the deadline will be charged $10 extra per event, so that will hopefully be the incentive for people to get signed up earlier.  Read the More Information section on askfred to get the full information.  Right now the Mixed epee should become at least a B, the Mixed foil is smaller than it should be, and the Vet epee is at 9 people, also smaller than it should be.  Remember that Vet events can be rated if we get enough people.  With the ratings available plus a few more bodies, it could end up a C event.
The February 2nd homeschool meet has been moved to the 16th, so I will be up to the Capitol Clash.  
The Capitol Clash is up by DC on that weekend.  Here is whom I see as entered.  If you are entered and I missed, let me know.  Friday – nobody  If you are entered on Friday, definitely let me know as it will have an impact upon Topsail and Lejeune on that date.  Saturday:  8 am Nicole Y-14 WE should be an A-2; 9 am Herman VME looks to be an A; 9 am Christi and Erica VWE, needs bodies to be a B; 12:30 pm Jackson Y-10 MF; Amelia, 1:30 pm Y14 WF, could be a B2; 1:30 pm Kim VMS, an A2; 1:30 pm Erica VWS; and Will 2 pm CME an A2.  There will also be Vet foil with the women being a B1 and the men needing bodies to get past an E rating.  Sunday:  8 am Will Cadet MF, an A2; 8 am Amelia Y12 WF, a C2; and 12:30 pm Nicole Cadet WE, a C2.
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

Vacations over

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
Vacations over
Things will get started back up tomorrow.
Homeschool at 1 pm.  Beginner class at 1:30 pm.
Afterschool at 3:30 pm.
Evening fencing about 6:30 pm.
pax vobiscum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

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

CFFA update for December 30

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for December 30

The USFA has put out a call for volunteers to help with the NAC in Charlotte.  Here is the webpage:  USA Fencing 2019 January NAC Volunteers
What they are looking for is help with Registration, camera operators (the big ones that they use in semis and finals), and the wheelchair fencing.  The trade off is that you get free entry into the event.  Remember they are now charging for entry at National events if you are not a fencer, official, etc.
I know a number of you are planning on going to
Charlotte, so there will be practice, Wednesday 1/2, and Thursday 1/3. 
On
New Year’s Day, Tuesday 1/1, Research Triangle Fencing is holding an
event.  Mixed foil and Sabre.   The Mixed sabre
looks like it should become an A event.  Of course, you will have to get
past Duke’s sabre coach to win.  The youth events look to have been cancelled.
The
homeschool fencers have a meet the first weekend of January, so there
will be homeschool practice January 2nd.  Since there are also people
wanting to get ready for Charlotte, there will be practice that
evening.  Therefore, I might as well also have afterschool practice for
returning fencers Wednesday and Thursday.  No sweat if that feels too early for anyone and they
can’t make it in.

Here
are the people I see entered for the Charlotte NAC, January 4-7.  If I
missed you, let me
know.  Nicole and Erica in the Div 1 epee Fri/Sat, Will in the Div 1
epee Sun/Mon, Kim in the Div 1 sabre Sun, Nicole in the Junior epee
Sunday, Nicole, Erica, and Christi in the Epee team Monday.  I intend to
be out there to help, so no fencing at Hampstead or Camp Lejeune that
Friday.  (January 4).

January
5 is also another homeschool meet in Winston Salem at the Star of Bethlehem Church.  I may not be there
for any/all of
it due to the conflict with the NAC.  If Nicole and Erica finish early I
will try to make it there for at least some of the day.  I will send out a note to help plan for who is going and getting everyone everything they need.
No afterschool on Monday January 7th as I will probably still be in Charlotte.
The
new evening class will start on Tuesday, January 8th, at 6:30 pm.  The
new class at Topsail Middle school will start on Friday, January 11th. 
Camp Lejeune will also get started back up on that Friday with a new beginner class.
January
12 is the next NCFL meet.  I am not certain as to where yet, but it may
be Chapel Hill.  It will be the final regular season team meet.
Also
on that weekend is a foil and epee RYC in Apex.  The events are Y-10,
Y-12, and Y-14.  Registration at the regular price has ended.  It looks
like Amelia and Jackson are fencing on the 13th, so I will be up for
that.
For adults, there is the Hangover in Richmond that weekend.  The last date to enter before the Triple fees kick in is the 6th.  Right now it looks small, but it is hard to tell with entries only being accepted through askfred.
Also on the 13th is Mid-South’s first set of Youth events for 2019.  Check askfred for particulars.
January 19th is a homeschool meet at our club.  Looking at a 10 am start time.
Our
first event of 2019 will be the Old Man Winter on January 26th.  Open
foil, open epee, and Vet epee.  IMPORTANT!!  We are going to start
requiring that
people are registered a week before the event to get the regular
pricing.  We have been unable to gauge the size of events in a manner
that lets us hire the correct number of referees.  If we expect a large
crowd that doesn’t materialize the club loses money.  If we wait and
things pop a day or two before the event, it can be hard to find any
local referees.  Then some of our fencers have to drop out to help
referee.  Anyone registering after the deadline will be charged $10
extra per event, so that will hopefully be the incentive for people to
get signed up earlier.  Read the More Information section on askfred to
get the full information.  Right now the Mixed epee should become at
least a B, the Mixed foil is smaller than it should be, and the Vet epee is at 6 people, also smaller than it should be.  Remember that Vet events can be rated if we get enough people.
The February 2nd homeschool meet has been moved to the 16th, so I will be up to the Capitol Clash. 
The Capitol Clash organizers may think the numbers were a bit low, so they have extended the entry date until January 5th. A couple more of our Vet fencers and a number of those events would get higher ratings, or these would be good events for you to attend to get the feeling of a more regional event.  Here is whom I see as entered.  If you are entered and I missed, let me know.  Friday – nobody  If you are entered on Friday, definitely let me know as it will have an impact upon Topsail and Lejeune on that date.  Saturday:  8 am Nicole Y-14 WE should be an A-2; 9 am Herman VME looks to be an A; 9 am Christi and Erica VWE, needs bodies to be a B or C; 12:30 pm Jackson Y-10 MF; 1:30 pm Y14 WF, could be a B2; 1:30 pm Kim VMS, a B2; 1:30 pm Erica VWS with 9 entries; and Will 2 pm CME an A2.  There will also be Vet foil with the women being a B1 and the men needing bodies to get past an E rating.  Sunday:  8 am Will Cadet MF, an A2; 8 am Amelia Y12 WF, a C2; and 12:30 pm Nicole Cadet WE, a C2.
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

practice and clash

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
practice and clash
Just a reminder that we will have practice tonight and Saturday morning.
Also that today is the last day to sign up for the Capitol Clash at regular prices.  The Clash covers both ends of the spectrum:  Y-8, Y-10, Y-12, and Y-14, plus cadet; and on the other end Vet’s combined.  Most of the Vet events are close enough to 15 that hopefully they will be able to be rated events.
Let me know if you have questions.
pax vobiscum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

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

CFFA update for December 23

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for December 23

We received an offer from the Capitol Clash.  They will give clubs $100 for every five “participants” in Vet events or Y-8 events.  I have asked for clarification about the definition of participant as to whether that is distinct individuals, or whether multiple entries in separate events count; but as of yet, have not received clarification.  At the moment, we have three Vets in 4 events, so it could be important.  This is the first year they have added the Vet combined events (and the Y-8) and all of the Vet events are on Saturday, February 2nd.  Right now, Vet Men’s epee is at 11 and Herman is the #2 seed, so it might become a B event.  Women’s epee is at 6 and we have 1/3 of the field with Christi and Erica.  Men’s sabre is a 15 person B1 and would be close for anyone living in the DC area (Don’t know who that might be.)  Women’s sabre is at 4 with Erica involved.  Vet men’s foil is at 11 and vet women’s foil is 8.  Most of the Y-8 events are at 4-5 fencers.  The entire Clash goes February 1-3.  This is a
large sectional/national event.  The events being contested are in all
weapons for Cadets (13-16), Y-14, Y-12, and Y-10.   The deadline for entering at
the regular price is December 27.  This is the next step up from an RYC
and the level just below National events.  The information and registration is on the
national website.
Since
Christmas and New Year’s both fall on Tuesday this year, no Tuesday
practices over break.  I know a number of you are planning on going to
Charlotte, so there will be practice, Thursday 12/27,
Saturday 12/29, Wednesday 1/2, and Thursday 1/3. 
On New Year’s Day, Wednesday 1/1, Research Triangle Fencing is holding an event.  Mixed foil and Sabre plus Y-10 and Y-14 sabre.  The Mixed sabre looks like it should become an A event.  Of course, you will have to get past Duke’s sabre coach to win.
The homeschool fencers have a meet the first weekend of January, so there will be homeschool practice January 2nd.  Since there are also people wanting to get ready for Charlotte, there will be practice that evening.  Therefore, I might as well also have afterschool practice for returning fencers.  No sweat if that feels too early for anyone and they can’t make it in.

Here
are the people I see entered for the Charlotte NAC, January 4-7.  If I
missed you, let me
know.  Nicole and Erica in the Div 1 epee Fri/Sat, Will in the Div 1
epee Sun/Mon, Kim in the Div 1 sabre Sun, Nicole in the Junior epee
Sunday, Nicole, Erica, and Christi in the Epee team Monday.  I intend to
be out there to help, so no fencing at Hampstead or Camp Lejeune that
Friday.  (January 4).

January
5 is also another homeschool meet in Winston Salem at the Star of Bethlehem Church.  I may not be there
for any/all of
it due to the conflict with the NAC.  If Nicole and Erica finish early I
will try to make it there for at least some of the day.  Let’s stay in
communication so that I know you have what you need to compete, and can
arrange rides.
The
new evening class will start on Tuesday, January 8th, at 6:30 pm.  The
new class at Topsail Middle school will start on Friday, January 11th. 
Camp Lejeune will also get started back up on that Friday with a new beginner class.
January 12 is the next NCFL meet.  I am not certain as to where yet, but it may be Chapel Hill.  It will be the final regular season team meet.
Also
on that weekend is a foil and epee RYC in Apex.  The events are Y-10,
Y-12, and Y-14.  Registration at the regular price has ended.  It looks like Amelia and Jackson are fencing on the 13th, so I will be up for that.
Also on the 13th is Mid-South’s first set of Youth events for 2019.  Check askfred for particulars.
January 19th is a homeschool meet at our club.  Looking at a 10 am start time.
Our
first event of 2019 will be the Old Man Winter on January 26th.  Open
foil, open epee, and Vet epee.  IMPORTANT!!  We are going to start requiring that
people are registered a week before the event to get the regular
pricing.  We have been unable to gauge the size of events in a manner
that lets us hire the correct number of referees.  If we expect a large
crowd that doesn’t materialize the club loses money.  If we wait and
things pop a day or two before the event, it can be hard to find any
local referees.  Then some of our fencers have to drop out to help
referee.  Anyone registering after the deadline will be charged $10
extra per event, so that will hopefully be the incentive for people to
get signed up earlier.  Read the More Information section on askfred to
get the full information.  Right now the Mixed epee should become at least a B, the Mixed foil is a clash of O’Briens, and the Vet epee is at 3 people.
February 2nd is a homeschool meet at our place that I am trying to get moved to the 16th so that I can go help our fencers at the Clash.  No final agreement from the other clubs.  I will keep you informed.
pax vobiscum,

Greg Spahr

Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

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

CFFA update for December 16

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for December 16

A good weekend for the club in multiple places.  Starting with the big national thing, the NAC (North American Cup) in Cincinnati.  Kim Phillips fenced 3 events starting with the Vet 40-49 sabre on Friday.  He went undefeated in his pool and was the number 2 seed in DEs.  He defeated Sean Bates in his first DE, but lost his second DE to take a bronze medal.  Just FYI, 5 of the top 7 finishers in that group are from North Carolina.  His Saturday Vet Combined sabre was truly weird.  43 fencers.  He finishes his pool 4-1.  That gets him the 15th seed in DEs.???  Won the first, but lost to the number 2 seed and finished 14th.  Today Kim was in the Division 1 sabre.  He made the cut, but lost his first DE.  Erica Julien also competed in Cincinnati.  Yesterday was the 70+ women’s epee.  Erica had a good first round going 5-1 and went into the DEs as the 2nd seed.  She lost her first DE, but still came out with 6th place medal.  Today was Vet 70+ sabre and again it was weird.  She went 3-4 in her pool which earned her the next to last spot in the DE.???  She won her first DE, but lost the second, but came away with the 8th place medal.
We had fencers go to Apex for their foil and epee unsanctioned events.  The Smiths, Joey and Robert, fenced the senior epee.  Joey was seeded 6th of 12 for the DE and finished in that position.  Robert only lost to Colson Combs all day, once in pools and in the DE to earn a 3rd place medal.  Amelia Alexander fenced the women’s Y-12 foil, and only lost one in her pool.  She made it into the final, but lost a close 13-15 match to bring home a silver medal.
Finally, the homeschool league held their first official meet of the semester.  The Jacksonville Hurricanes ( Matthan Droke, Noah Snyder, and Matthew Burns) discovered what the A teams looked like, but kept a couple close.  Eamon and Ellery O’Brien fenced in the B division, which was done as an individual pool.  Eamon won a couple and Ellery was the only person to beat the person who won the pool.  The Southeastern Cardinals (Kyler Schoonmaker, Eoin and Eilis O’Brien) won all their matches (4), including a 45-44 nailbiter over Twin City.
Congrats to everyone.
This week will wind things down before the lighter holiday schedule.  Tuesday night practice as usual.  Wednesday will be the last homeschool practice for the year.  The Ashley women should be in Wednesday night, so people are welcome to come in to practice.  The last day for afterschool will be December 20 and the last day for Camp Lejeune will be December 21.
For Thursday night’s practice, Kenyatta would like to have a bit of a holiday party.  If you would like to bring a little something, snacks, munchies, or drinks, please do.  In any event, please come in and fence.
Since
Christmas and New Year’s both fall on Tuesday this year, no Tuesday
practices over break.  I know a number of you are planning on going to
Charlotte, so there will be practice Saturday 12/22, Thursday 12/27,
Saturday 12/29, and Thursday 1/3. 
St. Mary’s is starting back on Wednesday, January 2nd. 
I will leave it up to fencers and parents to see if you want to start
afterschool back up for the advanced youngsters on that day.  Ditto for
the homeschool fencers.  So far the answers I have gotten have been mixed.

Here
are the people I see entered for the Charlotte NAC, January 4-7.  If I
missed you, let me
know.  Nicole and Erica in the Div 1 epee Fri/Sat, Will in the Div 1
epee Sun/Mon, Kim in the Div 1 sabre Sun, Nicole in the Junior epee
Sunday, Nicole, Erica, and Christi in the Epee team Monday.  I intend to
be out there to help, so no fencing at Hampstead or Camp Lejeune that
Friday. 

January
5 is also another homeschool meet in Winston Salem.  I may not be there for any/all of
it due to the conflict with the NAC.  If Nicole and Erica finish early I
will try to make it there for at least some of the day.  Let’s stay in communication so that I know you have what you need to compete, and can arrange rides.
The
new evening class will start on Tuesday, January 8th, at 6:30 pm.  The
new class at Topsail Middle school will start on Friday, January 11th. 
Camp Lejeune will also get started back up on that Friday.
January 12 is the next NCFL meet.  I am not certain as to where yet.  It will be the final regular season team meet.
Also on that weekend is a foil and epee RYC in Apex.  The events are Y-10, Y-12, and Y-14.  Registration at the regular price ends on December 21.  This would be a good event for those wanting to get their feet wet in a bit harder competition.  Information and registration for this event is on the national website (usafencing.org).
January 19th is a homeschool meet at our club.  Looking at a 10 am start time.
Our first event of 2019 will be the Old Man Winter on January 26th.  Open foil, open epee, and Vet epee.  I should have it up on askfred by tomorrow night.  IMPORTANT!!  We are going to start requiring that people are registered a week before the event to get the regular pricing.  We have been unable to gauge the size of events in a manner that lets us hire the correct number of referees.  If we expect a large crowd that doesn’t materialize the club loses money.  If we wait and things pop a day or two before the event, it can be hard to find any local referees.  Then some of our fencers have to drop out to help referee.  Anyone registering after the deadline will be charged $10 extra per event, so that will hopefully be the incentive for people to get signed up earlier.  Read the More Information section on askfred to get the full information.
The Capitol Clash is being held the first weekend in February.  (February 1-3).  This is a large sectional/national event.  The events being contested are in all weapons for Cadets (13-16), Y-14, Y-12, Y-10, and the rare Y-8.  They are also holding combined Veteran events.  The deadline for entering at the regular price is December 27.  This is the next step up from the RYC and the level just below National events.  The information is on the national 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 December 9

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for December 9

The JO qualifiers were cancelled due weather and all the preregistrants were granted the right to appeal and fence in the Junior Olympics.  For us that is Nicole Milewski, Eoin O’Brien, and Joey Smith.  Not certain if they are all going.

Things are winding down before the holidays.  The big holiday order is in and we will let you know when it arrives.  If there are other requests out there, get them to us ASAP.
Practice is also slowing down.  I believe there will be some high school fencers in Wednesday night and maybe some sabre fencers.  Probably closer to starting about 6:30 pm or so.  Friday the 14th will be the last 2018 practice for Hampstead.  There will be practice at Camp Lejeune.

December
15 is the first official event for the homeschoolers, in Winston
Salem.   It will start about 10 am, which means an early morning, but
hopefully getting back at a decent time.  It will be at the Star of
Bethlehem church in Winston-Salem.

If
you are not
homeschooled, the Apex Fencing Academy is hosting novice unsanctioned
events that
day.  If you are a U fencer and want to go up against other U fencers,
check askfred for more details.  They have Men’s and Women’s Y10/Y12
foil, Men’s and Women’s Senior foil, and a mixed Senior epee.  If you
are unrated, this is a good event to see how you stack up against the
other unrated people.  We do have some people going and it is always a good thing to get out and fence new people.

For those of you who want to just check up on our other fencers, Kim Phillips and Erica Julien are fencing in the Cincinnati NAC next weekend.  Kim is fencing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Vet 40 sabre, Vet combined sabre, Div I sabre).  Erica is fencing Saturday and Sunday (Vet 70 epee and sabre).  If I have missed anybody, let me know.  Usually usafencing.org will have a link to a reasonably real time results page.
The last day for afterschool will be December 20 and the last day for Camp Lejeune will be December 21.
Since
Christmas and New Year’s both fall on Tuesday this year, no Tuesday
practices over break.  I know a number of you are planning on going to
Charlotte, so there will be practice Saturday 12/22, Thursday 12/27,
Saturday 12/29, and Thursday 1/3. 
St. Mary’s is starting back on Wednesday, January 2nd. 
I will leave it up to fencers and parents to see if you want to start
afterschool back up for the advanced youngsters on that day.  Ditto for
the homeschool fencers.

Here
are the people I see entered for the Charlotte NAC, January 4-7.  If I missed you, let me
know.  Nicole and Erica in the Div 1 epee Fri/Sat, Will in the Div 1
epee Sun/Mon, Kim in the Div 1 sabre Sun, Nicole in the Junior epee
Sunday, Nicole, Erica, and Christi in the Epee team Monday.  I intend to be out there to help, so no fencing at Hampstead or Camp Lejeune that Friday.

January
5 is also another homeschool meet in Winston Salem.  I may not be there for any/all of
it due to the conflict with the NAC.  If Nicole and Erica finish early I
will try to make it there for at least some of the day.
The
new evening class will start on Tuesday, January 8th, at 6:30 pm.  The new class at Topsail Middle school will start on Friday, January 11th.  Camp Lejeune will also get started back up on that Friday.
January 12 is the next NCFL meet.  I am not certain as to where yet.  It will be the final regular season team meet.
January 19th is a homeschool meet at our club.  Looking at a 10 am start time.

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

Practice tomorrow

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
Practice tomorrow
Due to inclement weather expected in the Raleigh area, the JO qualifiers have been cancelled. 
Therefore, I will be in for practice about 10 am if anyone is interested.
pax vobiscum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

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

CFFA update

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update

Please get us (Herman or I) holiday orders by the end of this week.  Please double check items and make certain we have order as it gets pretty hectic. 

A good day for all the fencers who participated in the NCFL meet at Chapel Hill High School.  Will Golder and Andrew Whitehead fenced for Hoggard and even though they were a person short, they still went 5-2 in the Men’s A division.  Will was undefeated for the day and Andrew was 9-6.  Nicole Milewski and Joey Smith went undefeated in epee, both as a team and individually.  CFFA had a full foil B team with Amelia Alexander, Megan Looney, and Chloe Craig also going undefeated as a team at 3-0.  San Raphael middle school, who are loosely allied with us, had a B team of Cole and Keely Carter, and Raul Carranzo-Gomez go 2-1, with the one loss being 4-5.  They also loaned Jack Burich to a second team which was unfortunately a two person team which didn’t win any.  Congratulations to everyone.  Thanks to all the parents for driving, hauling equipment, etc.
Practice for this week will be regular with the possible exception of Wednesday night.  I don’t yet know if UNCW or the Ashley women’s team will be in.

The
Division qualifiers for the Junior Olympics have been scheduled for
December 8th and 9th at Research Triangle Academy.  Entries right now
are very light.  Today is the last day to preregister at the regular rate.  It doubles tomorrow.  No decision yet on whether it will be a one or two day event. I will let you know as soon as I hear.  A good event to fence, even if you are probably not going to
JOs in Denver.

I doubt the UNCW fencers will want to go next Wednesday, as it is in the middle of finals.  We will see about Ashley or other high schoolers.  The last day for Topsail Middle School fencing for the year will be December 14.

December
15 is the first official event for the homeschoolers, in Winston
Salem.   It will start about 10 am, which means an early morning, but hopefully getting back at a decent time.  It will be at the Star of Bethlehem church in Winston-Salem.  We will figure car pooling, etc. next week.

If
you are not
homeschooled, the Apex Fencing Academy is hosting novice unsanctioned
events that
day.  If you are a U fencer and want to go up against other U fencers,
check askfred for more details.  They have Men’s and Women’s Y10/Y12
foil, Men’s and Women’s Senior foil, and a mixed Senior epee.  If you are unrated, this is a good event to see how you stack up against the other unrated people.

The last day for afterschool will be December 20 and the last day for Camp Lejeune will be December 21.
Since
Christmas and New Year’s both fall on Tuesday this year, no Tuesday
practices over break.  I know a number of you are planning on going to
Charlotte, so there will be practice Saturday 12/22, Thursday 12/27,
Saturday 12/29, and Thursday 1/3.
St. Mary’s is starting back on Wednesday, January 2nd.  I will leave it up to fencers and parents to see if you want to start afterschool back up for the advanced youngsters on that day.  Ditto for the homeschool fencers.

Here
are the people I see entered for the Charlotte NAC, January 4-7.  If I missed you, let me
know.  Nicole and Erica in the Div 1 epee Fri/Sat, Will in the Div 1
epee Sun/Mon, Kim in the Div 1 sabre Sun, Nicole in the Junior epee
Sunday, Nicole, Erica, and Christi in the Epee team Monday.

January 5 is also another homeschool meet.  I may not be there for any/all of it due to the conflict with the NAC.  If Nicole and Erica finish early I will try to make it there for at least some of the day.
The first day for new afterschool fencers will be Monday, January 7th.  The new evening class will start on Tuesday, January 8th, at 6:30 pm.
January 12 is the next NCFL meet.  I am not certain as to where yet.  It will be the final regular season team meet.
January 19th is a homeschool meet at our club.  I believe the west wants a 10 am start time, but will confirm.

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