SYC info????

[fencerwallet]

Except we're not talking about large regional events, we're talking about "super" regional events. I was under the impression that the original plan was to have 3-4 super events a season, PLUS the youth NAC, plus Summer nationals. That should be plenty of "opportunities to fence," especially given the RYC system. Perhaps if they weren't all so concentrated in the spring though...

Well, yeah, like I said, if Christmas is celebrated 6 times a year, what is so special about it?

[oiuyt]

Perhaps if they weren't all so concentrated in the spring though...

There were two bids for events in the fall. One was in September and really didn't fit the timeline required this season and wasn't accepted. The other was accepted but ended up having to be moved to later in the year.

There was a strong push to try to get at least one fall SYC, it just didn't work out that way this season.

-B

[teacup]

There were two bids for events in the fall. One was in September and really didn't fit the timeline required this season and wasn't accepted. The other was accepted but ended up having to be moved to later in the year.

There was a strong push to try to get at least one fall SYC, it just didn't work out that way this season.

-B

Are there plans to release the schedule for the 2008-09 season earlier, perhaps in July with the rest of the National schedule? An earlier deadline for bids may enable organizers to host an event in the fall.

[oiuyt]

Are there plans to release the schedule for the 2008-09 season earlier, perhaps in July with the rest of the National schedule? An earlier deadline for bids may enable organizers to host an event in the fall.

I believe so, although I'm not directly involved.

There's also likely to be some transitition with the new Olympic Quad. Hopefully that won't cause any disruptions (or minimal disruptions).

Each of the past couple of years the deadlines and schedule releases have been moving steadily earlier.

-B

[DonnaP]

Am I the only one who noticed that the Prise de Fer SYC for the boys is on Easter Sunday Weekend?? Not that it affects me - I'm just thinking that it's not the best choice of dates......

[DJ Apostrophe]

Am I the only one who noticed that the Prise de Fer SYC for the boys is on Easter Sunday Weekend?? Not that it affects me - I'm just thinking that it's not the best choice of dates......

Unfortunately, we missed that it was Easter Sunday until last week, and at that point it was A: too late to change it and B: we don't have a date we can move it to.

It won't happen again next year.

-w

[teacup]

Unfortunately, we missed that it was Easter Sunday until last week, and at that point it was A: too late to change it and B: we don't have a date we can move it to.

It won't happen again next year.

-w

There are some that may think it is a good weekend since for many it could be a three day weekend due to the holiday or spring break.

It will be interesting to see how many will sign up.

Also San Jose isn't exactly "Southern" California.

[fencing freakster]

Also San Jose isn't exactly "Southern" California.

And I don't think New Jersey is in Pennsylvania either, but hey as a freak, I could be wrong......

[DonnaP]

Hey S**t happens - you've been officially slapped on the wrist!! We're planning to be there for Saturday - you guys ran an excellent event last year and we'll look forward to it again this next time around. I hope the holiday doesn't dampen attendance too much for you that's all.

[KD5MDK]

I know of at least six.

What makes "too many" events? These are opportunities to fence. Can there be "too many" large regional senior events?

Note that for most of the athletes involved (Y10/Y12 categories) RYCs and SYCs are their only reasonably competitive opportunities (local youth events that aren't at least RYC caliber are typically TINY, even when offered). In many regions the RYCs, especially in smaller weapons, can be marginal. At least with the SYCs there's an expectation that there will be a quality event.

-B

According to the 2007-2008 Athlete's Handbook:

2.3.4.1. Super Youth Circuit
There will be 2-3 Super Youth tournaments at which the fencers can earn national points. Youth
fencers may participate in one or more Super Youth tournaments, however, only the competition
where the fencer earns the most points will be included in the point standings. These competitions
are part of the qualification paths for both the Summer Nationals and Youth 10 and 12 events at
NACs.

Of course, there's lots worse errors in the Athlete's Handbook than that.

[lurkerdad]

I think that it is unfortunate that there were not more bids to allow for a more evenly dispersed tournament schedule.

Further, at National tournaments, the reality is that the youth divisions each have maybe 6-8 kids who you honestly know will probably be fencing at the end. Too many tournaments, and the fields will essentially be weak. I would want my son to fence against the best, especially if I'm paying to travel to a SYC (which travel will cost just as much as a NAC, JOs or SN). Who cares if he beats a kid in the final of a SYC who can't make top 32 at Nationals? I hate to admit this, but we stopped going to some RYCs because of this very lack of tournament competitiveness. I sincerely feel that too many SYCs will hurt the competitiveness, regardless of the "points". On the other hand, the San Jose tournament, mark my words, as the only West coast SYC is going to have the size and competitiveness of an NAC, while other SYCs, with all due respect to them, may be awarding "points" to kids that would not ordinarily make the top 32 elsewhere.

At least for Boy's Foil, I double-checked this statement with last year's end of season results, and yup, I found this statement pretty much fits the facts for Y10 and Y12. At the Y14 level, things are a bit more even. And the Texas SYC is also pretty competitive. But if somebody ever computed a "strength factor" among SYC's the West Coast SYC would far and away be the winner.

I realize that "points" don't really matter at this level. However, the three places they would count are at the NAC B (for Y14), NAC F and SN. If you are "fencing up" the next age group at these events, a few SYC points may actually make a big difference in the pool seeding, and your fencer's eventual success. If only for that, I can see how some West Coast or SouthWest parents may justify chasing Y12 or Y14 points out of their region. IMHO, as long as they also make a decent vacation out of the trip after the tourney, I would still think they were sane.

[lurkerdad]

I agree with Oiuyt.

Why is it too many? If it means that some fencers don't have to travel so far because more are in different locations that is a good thing. If it means people want to travel to lots and can afford it, that is up to them. If you are worried about points, only one counts.

Not totally true. I've noticed in the PDF's for the point calculations, that they just get two highest SYC points out of a fencer's results per age group, and it doesn't matter what SYC they get each one from. For example, if one has Y10 points from SYC-A and Y12 points from SYC-B, they just add these two together (along with the two best NAC and SN points). Reading the handbook, which isn't very explicit about this, I thought they would get just the results from SYC-A *or* SYC-B, but that wasn't the case.

At any rate, I'm not worried about points. I just want to know exactly what it is I shouldn't be worried about.

Perhaps a strength factor for points calculations should be added.

Theoretically, a decent idea, but one that will probably never happen.

[4qtrs]

See I was right yay!!!

Ok Countambrosius,
Now it's time for you to take your bow!

You were right!

Suzy

[Anotherfencingmom]

Anyone having problems viewing the SYC schedule? The schedule flashes on screen before I have time to view it.