2008 Olympic Team

[prototoast]

My reason for the vloka prediction is simply time. In 3 years, she'll mature alot, get stronger, smarter, yadda yadda. Its a shot in the wind though.

Well, this thread would certainly be boring if everyone predicted the same things!

[Sabresque]

Very true. hehe. Some other people to watch for womens sabre in no particular order:

*Dagmara Wozniak
*Eileen Grench
*Mera Keltner
*Caity Thompson

Most of these girls (Dagmara excluded) have been fencing for a relativly short amount of time, but have progressed fast. All have good coaches, and it is yet to see how they will mature in their fencing from this point on to 2008.

[Inquartata]

Sada will be what? 25 or 26 in 2008? She may have obligations---like a job. Not everyone has an employer as helpful as, say, Keeth Smart's was. Mariel will still be in college, though. Becca probably will be starting college by then. Prediction-wise, they're safer bets...

But three years is a long time, and there are always rising stars snapping at the heels of the established leaders. I can't even seem to predict what will happen in a given tournament with any success, much less 3 years hence.

[Dan H]

I predict that, after a number of trips to Thailand and some medical bills, Edew will clean up women's foil in 2008. You heard it here first, folks!
*ducks*

[edew]

I don't know if I can beat Emily Cross. I remember seeing her in 2000 at the Austin Nationals. I thought she was amazing then. She's only gotten better, although a bit more cautious (than necessary).

Besides, I thought Brazil was the place to go. Maybe I'll change citizenship and fence for Brazil, too.

[CvilleFencer]

Personally, I have my money on Gabe Sinkin.

Now theres a shock! Who would have ever thought you would root for Sinkin! Still, not a long shot by any means.

I would go with the following for the weapons I follow:
MFT: Tiompken, Kellner, Horanyi with Carter, Wright or Depree in the mix.
MET: Mattern, Kelsey, Vivani with Erbele, Bratton or Soloman mixed in there somewhere.

Don't really know enough about the fencers in other sections to more than guess based off of results/coach/age.

[edew]

Now theres a shock! Who would have ever thought you would root for Sinkin! Still, not a long shot by any means.

I would go with the following for the weapons I follow:
MFT: Tiompken, Kellner, Horanyi with Carter, Wright or Depree in the mix.
MET: Mattern, Kelsey, Vivani with Erbele, Bratton or Soloman mixed in there somewhere.

Don't really know enough about the fencers in other sections to more than guess based off of results/coach/age.

Is that Carter as in Al(phonze) Carter? I think he'll be 40+ by then.

[CvilleFencer]

Is that Carter as in Al(phonze) Carter? I think he'll be 40+ by then.

If not 40 then close to it, but I just had a birthday so let me dream a little that you can still be competitive on that level in the 30+ age bracket will ya!?! For that matter I figure you would enjoy that hought yourself! Of course when you are the top dog in the Vet 40 I guess it gives a bit of perspective on it all...

Maybe Fisher would have been a safer choice looking at the results but I don't recall ever having seen him fence and don't really know anything about him...

[edew]

Fisher is too busy coaching.

I claim a resurrection of Kirk-Gordon with a new coach and some more funky moves. Go Dimi!

[DHCJr]

Is that Carter as in Al(phonze) Carter? I think he'll be 40+ by then.

I am starting to wonder about what people are saying about age. After the '84 games we call Mary Lou Renton the poster child for gymnastic, because she retired at the ancient age of 20. Do people forget how old you can be both men and women and make it to the Olympics? Look at the ’96 team. How old was Peter? How old were the members of the Women’s Epee Team?

[Army Fencer]

You guys are just fishing for rep points, aren't you?

Three years is a lot of time, and the pool of potential epee fencers is large. We'll see how it plays out. While women's foil and epee are volatile because there are no heirs apparent, men epee is also volatile because of the nature of men's epee.

I don't think I can improve on any of the lists you have made already, but I'd remind people of the older epee fencers. For example, Jon Normile was very close to making the team last year. I could see O'Loughlin, Feldschuh, or Rosenberg suprise some people and take a spot from a younger fencer--not that I'm calling Chris, Michael, or David old.

[Welted 24/7]

Well, I blame the women's sabre team. As far as I know, most other countries don't usually field teams of people who have yet to finish either puberty or college the way we tend to. I've seen Dan Kellner referred to as an "old veteran"- veteran he may be, but isn't he still not even 30 yet?

[glowstix]

You guys are just fishing for rep points, aren't you?

i think they are... the epeeists only thread is the culprit of all this (nice thread though).

seriously though, it shows what everyone thinks about you even though they may not know you that well.

[SmokeyTheCat263]

I claim a resurrection of Kirk-Gordon with a new coach and some more funky moves. Go Dimi!

As for Mr. DKG, Ohio State will be getting him next fall (Along with Andras Horanyi and Klint Kershaw).

[prototoast]

As for Mr. DKG, Ohio State will be getting him next fall (Along with Andras Horanyi and Klint Kershaw).

Oh damn. Good thing I don't fence foil, or that would be one nasty team to go up against... considering who they already have, too.

[whtouche]

Oh damn. Good thing I don't fence foil, or that would be one nasty team to go up against... considering who they already have, too.

Hah. But you DO fence sabre, and I think THAT's an even nastier team(squad) to try to take on
Not that I wouldn't mind trying.

[prototoast]

Hah. But you DO fence sabre, and I think THAT's an even nastier team(squad) to try to take on
Not that I wouldn't mind trying.

It's true... but when it's sabre I'd look forward to the challenge--it's only when it's another weapon that it's intimidating. And heck, maybe I'd even get a win or two--anything can happen in a 5 touch bout and if I can beat last year's NCAA champ, I guess I can beat anyone. That being said, we haven't fenced ohio state yet, and I don't imagine we will in the next two years, and if I did actually fence them, I'd be lucky to get 2 touches in 3 bouts.

[Parsifal]

ada will be what? 25 or 26 in 2008? She may have obligations---like a job. Not everyone has an employer as helpful as, say, Keeth Smart's was. Mariel will still be in college, though. Becca probably will be starting college by then. Prediction-wise, they're safer bets...

With Westbrook footing Smart's club and lesson fees and Verizon paying him his full salary to set up for 2004 Athens.....and then he chokes? He's had his chance - rotate him out.

[Purple Fencer]

Is that Carter as in Al(phonze) Carter? I think he'll be 40+ by then.

Maybe, Eric, but Al's been going to intl events as much as he can...I beieve his goal IS to make the 08 team...and I don;t think 40+...more like early 30s.

Still...he's got a chance....especially if Kellner retires again....

[bjacobs]

I'm a bit biased, but if there is a women's sabre team event, I think you might see Emma Baratta on the team. Certainly over a few of the other possibilities named.