So, another summer nationals has come and gone. We have survived. Fencing has survived as well. There was an election and the NC slated was voted in and it was good that there was an election and both sides were able to say what they were going to do if elected. Now let’s see if the elected group will get the things done that they said they would. Don’t jump on them to fast they don’t take office over until after the Olympics right?
Our fencers did well, not great but good. For some of them this was the first nationals or even their first national event. However, they assured me that they would be the first group to break the cycle, we will see. The group from JO’s said that they would be the first but with Steven, Eva and Joshua that was not the case.
Gabe had a great div 1a event by beating the number 4 seeded Stone. The match was a great one to watch and Gabe decided that he wanted to fence it on his own after the break and he pulled it out at 15-14 in the end (two one lights in a row!) The next bout was against Fishcl. The bout should have been his. We talked about it. Watched Fischl’s bout in the eight and watched him try and win it the same way and Fischl lost. I spoke to Bruce G. his coach and we came to the same conclusion about the bout. He told me that I wasn’t losing my mind. My hair yes, my mind no. I will also get the video tape to review with Gabe. His dad films all his matches. Good to know.
The team events were fun. We had the mission rematch in the open men’s saber (yes, I said OMS) I was the low man on the team but I scored the most points on the team, Fry and Gabe locked up which was a shame but it was close and we are now 1-1 with the Mission crew. Maybe next year in Dallas!
The junior men’s saber team did not fair to well. They were matched up against the Manhattan team. Wow, this was a little intimidating. The first three encounters our guys got smoked like a cheap cigar only scoring one point each. After this I told them that they proved that they were scared of them now let’s show these (pick you own army military drill sgt. expression) fencers that you know how to fence. Hammy came out of the blocks and scored 5 straight unanswered points against Bak and the rest of the crew also rallied and fenced great. In the end they lost by the same 12 points that they had lost in the beginning of the team match. I was disappointed that they lost but was very happy about how they stood up for themselves after they realized that they were as good as any of the other fencers in the room and deserved to be there.
Fry had a much better nationals then Miami by far, he had finally learned to deal with different refs better, not great yet but better. Fry was on fire in the Div 2 and had an upset over the 13th seed in the d.e.’s and made a mistake in the top 16 that cost him his top 8 slot and a national medal. He was on fire in the Div 1a event winning his three hard bouts in his pool Brad was one 5-3) and dropping the two easy ones because he took them for granted. He got a bye and then fenced a winnable bout in the 64 but lost focus and the match. He learned a lot from that match that I think will carry him further in his fencing career.
Holly, Shelby and Mattos had a rough time and they are really the new ones at these events. They have a long way to go but they are motivated and really want to succeed. It is going to take a lot of work but that is what keeps us sculpting the fencers of the future.
The twins fenced like absolute ass in the cadet and team event. I was embarrassed at first. However in the d.e’s Ashlee did come back from a 14-7 deficit after the first 3 minute break and beat the girl 15-14. Her opponent was from Salle Auriol Seattle and her coach was visibly very upset. She lost her next de and both were now out in the 64. Not theie finest moment. We had a long talk after that event and they were much more focused for the junior event. I was with Lex and Matt with Ash. The two of them had really hard pools. Lex’s pool had 2 people from the top 8 in her pool and at the end of the day we would see two other people from her pool make the top 8, she and her sister ran into each other in the top 32, Lex prevailed and got her B ranking nationally (I wonder if I will be accused of manufacturing that rating also, I hope so). She lost her bout to get into the eight 15-13 it was a great match but maybe next year. It will be interesting to see where they both are on the points list when it is updated from nationals.
Matt had a bad nationals. After winning the team saber in Atlanta and then the top 4 in the Div 3 sabre in Miami, nationals this year was dry for him. He didn’t make the cut in div 2 and div 3 results were disappointing.
Our vets did well in their events. Cindy did well in the pools when she would remember not to run or would remember to lunge. The de was winnable but she stressed too much and lost. Doc did well in the pool and came back in his de and then his opponent changed but he didn’t and he lost a heart breaker. The worst part about it was that it was against the line.
Audrey did good and made the top 32 in junior ws and got more points for the season. She and Dad will probably be coming to more events next season in NC.
Now for the rest of the stories.
I was introduced to Dr. Levy from the North shore fencing club and after the confrontation with Karen over an epee touch with his daughter I think he will remember me and our club for the rest of his life. Probably one of the funniest stories that I get to take away from this nationals.
Beaches SC won the Open Sabre Event this was great to watch. Rod and I had a few laughs about that and remembered when I came back in 1994. I hope that Frank enjoys the moment know that the HB division has won the event.
The patio drinks and stories told were priceless. Shawn or as is affectionately know in our club as Lt. Dan told us stories about his rehab that had me pissing my pants!!!! Junior has informed me that Mad Mary was engaged to one of his friends (a ref also) who has been to know to “date” a lot and then broke off the engagement. Instead of taking it in stride, she apparently started a rumor that he was gay and that was why they were not getting married. I got to tell junior some of my side of the story and he laughed and some of the similarities that he saw in some of their “issues”. Furthermore, he informed me that she is now a doctor. Of what, I have no idea (well I have some but not for this board).
Gabe had Becker and Justin in his Div 1a saber pool and showed them that he could fly.
Jeff Rosen is back and was reffing a pool of div 2 sabre with Fry in it. Junior was on his knees begging George to have him removed after a couple of bouts. Jeff kept insisting that the attack was mal parry. I thought junior and I were going to kill him as well as the rest of the saber fencers in the pool. We got through it and George granted juniors request. Jeff will be back with the armorers again.
Junior had the highest number of refs pulled or made them cry. At one point he was asked to help observe a saber ref with Alperstein. That story also had us all in tears.
Dan and his assless chaps were a big hit at the patio also. Things have definitely changed in VT since I left NY.
Dayn told me that Dan B-Y is going back to school, seminary to be exact to became a priest. I'm not surprised and either was he.
The “national’s hat”, as it has been now named was a big hit this year. We had over 200 hundred people sign it. Going with the fine tipped sharpie was much better this year. Thanks to Mr. Chen for the Chinese good luck symbols.
All the kids and the parents went to the referee class and now are ready to take the exams and the practical. Justin asked me how I convinced all the SC people to go the seminar and I told him that I said there was a buffet at the seminar. I hope SC division doesn’t ask for a panel for lying about the buffet.
I helped a few refs get bingo this nationals and I think that was an amazing idea. To bad we don’t have a lot more of those. Andy Shaw asked for a bunch of stuff that I have from the PFL to send to him, maybe now with both sides of the story now, history can be its own judge.
There will be probably be more things added as we relive the stories at the school over the next couple of weeks. Boot camps starts on Monday and well I have about 30 pounds to lose!
07-12-2008 06:17 PM