NAC B - Kansas City, 2009

[fdad]

Day schedule is up: http://usfencing.org/content/index/4264

[mfp]

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[fencer92]

Great, I just checked this morning and the schedule wasn't up yet. Thanks for the update.

Fencer's Mom

[flechewounds]

Folks -

Southwest runs some pretty good sales to KC (just got 200 RT from LA today)...

Remember that the KC airport is a good distance from downtown... like 20 miles...

Gary

[JEC]

Continental had $200 fares (+tax 239.40) too for round trip from TX.

[fencer92]

Southwest, AA, AirTran and Continental are all in the running for fares around 200.00 or less, that includes taxes, from the Triangle in NC.

Fencer's Mom

[fdad]

It would have been nice if they could have avoided having any Junior events on the Saturday (last SAT test date for early applicants).

[eac]

The non-Southwest airlines probably aren't still 200 once you check 1-2 bags.

[JEC]

It would have been nice if they could have avoided having any Junior events on the Saturday (last SAT test date for early applicants).

I raised this issue prior to them getting the schedule out. Kurt even replied twice about the issue. I suggested no JUNIOR events on Saturday.

The issue is more important for the SAT II because Languages with listening are only given once a year... in Novemeber.

[JEC]

The non-Southwest airlines probably aren't still 200 once you check 1-2 bags.

For the frequent traveler in Continental, they are ...

[gladius]

I raised this issue prior to them getting the schedule out. Kurt even replied twice about the issue. I suggested no JUNIOR events on Saturday.

The issue is more important for the SAT II because Languages with listening are only given once a year... in Novemeber.

(emphasis added)

You are absolutely right about SAT II languages tests given only once a year, generally in November. Which should be a warning to all high school juniors who might consider these tests to start the process early in the fall of the junior year. When SN comes up at the end of the junior year and you want to talk to coaches in person, they expect and favor all student-fencers to have all their test scores. So the mantra is the sooner the better.

Obviously, if the USFA had a serious interest in the interaction with college fencing they would (a) spell this out clearly for all juniors and their parents, and (b) they would not schedule a NAC or junior specific events of NAC on the Saturday of SAT test.

[fdad]

(emphasis added)

You are absolutely right about SAT II languages tests given only once a year, generally in November. Which should be a warning to all high school juniors who might consider these tests to start the process early in the fall of the junior year. When SN comes up at the end of the junior year and you want to talk to coaches in person, they expect and favor all student-fencers to have all their test scores. So the mantra is the sooner the better.

Obviously, if the USFA had a serious interest in the interaction with college fencing they would (a) spell this out clearly for all juniors and their parents, and (b) they would not schedule a NAC or junior specific events of NAC on the Saturday of SAT test.

The SAT language tests are very difficult. Having the extra year of instruction between Nov of Junior and Senior years makes a big difference in score. Most college applicants have already taken some SATs and have some score to discuss with coaches. However, since its so easy for USFA to avoid the Saturday conflict for U20s, you would think they would have done a better job.

[gladius]

The SAT language tests are very difficult. Having the extra year of instruction between Nov of Junior and Senior years makes a big difference in score.

It depends. If the fencer is bilingual he/she will not gain by waiting (you'd be surprised how many top ranked juniors are). For the others a practice run never hurts.

Most college applicants have already taken some SATs and have some score to discuss with coaches.

Yes, but the competitive advantage is in having most/all under your belt by SN. Trust me on this one.

However, since its so easy for USFA to avoid the Saturday conflict for U20s, you would think they would have done a better job.

Couldn't agree more with you nor can I understand why this is not a top priority for the USFA.

One of the few, if not the ONLY advantage of competitive fencing for high school students is that you can apply early, VERY early, to college and to hear back from them BEFORE anybody else. If successful, you will notice a very different level of stress between student-fencers and the rest of the student population in the senior year.

Families with kids not in fencing, when they see what "we" get (admittedly for bright students and top fencers) in this rather important area are absolutely blown away. I heard from several parents asking me how to get into fencing for their kids in grade school or middle school just because of this incredible perk.

They figured this out rather quickly. The USFA still has not.

[pillow]

Quote:
Originally Posted by JEC View Post
I raised this issue prior to them getting the schedule out. Kurt even replied twice about the issue. I suggested no JUNIOR events on Saturday.

The issue is more important for the SAT II because Languages with listening are only given once a year... in Novemeber

Did Kurt really understand the SAT issue and reply, because your suggestion was obviously ignored.

[flechewounds]

Folks -

I had heard from someone (not sure who) that the SAT II test date was changed after the USFA was committed to the weekend. This one may actually not be our fault

Gary.

[JEC]

The suggestion was ignored. As Gary indicated, Kurt's 2nd response was to indicate that College Board had changed the dates of the SATs once they had already made reservations for the venues. Because I have an incoming HS Senior who is a Junior ME fencer, I sent emails to USFA in May regarding these conflicts. The NAC's A, B and C are superimposed on dates that are for SAT testing. I told them that at the very least, they should try NOT scheduling Junior Events on Saturdays. This is BEFORE any of the day schedules were announced. Out of 6 events, two (ME and WF) were scheduled on Saturday for NAC-B. At least, I hope that for NAC-C, they make sure that those two weapons, they are NOT scheduled on Saturday.

Fortunately, my kid already has 3 SAT II with >700 scores, but given that he is a native bilingual, the extra push of a SAT language with listening would have been nice.

FYI: 2010-11 SAT testing dates might be conflicting with proposed USFA (without venue reservations) schedule.

[fdad]

Folks -

I had heard from someone (not sure who) that the SAT II test date was changed after the USFA was committed to the weekend. This one may actually not be our fault

Gary.

Gary, What has been suggested is not changing the NAC weekend, but avoiding U20 events on the Saturday of the NAC weekend.

[pillow]

The suggestion was ignored. As Gary indicated, Kurt's 2nd response was to indicate that College Board had changed the dates of the SATs once they had already made reservations for the venues. Because I have an incoming HS Senior who is a Junior ME fencer, I sent emails to USFA in May regarding these conflicts. The NAC's A, B and C are superimposed on dates that are for SAT testing. I told them that at the very least, they should try NOT scheduling Junior Events on Saturdays. This is BEFORE any of the day schedules were announced. Out of 6 events, two (ME and WF) were scheduled on Saturday for NAC-B. At least, I hope that for NAC-C, they make sure that those two weapons, they are NOT scheduled on Saturday.

Fortunately, my kid already has 3 SAT II with >700 scores, but given that he is a native bilingual, the extra push of a SAT language with listening would have been nice.

FYI: 2010-11 SAT testing dates might be conflicting with proposed USFA (without venue reservations) schedule.

So you are saying this is really a problem mostly for students not as smart as your kid?

[flechewounds]

Gary, What has been suggested is not changing the NAC weekend, but avoiding U20 events on the Saturday of the NAC weekend.

I suppose that would mean that everyone would take the test in KC - otherwise, it would be difficult or impossible to travel there (unless you were nearby). Would that even be possible? (I don't know).

[JAG]

The NACs for junior and cadet are not particularly kid-friendly, given that they can require students to miss up to 4 days of school based on when the events are scheduled. For those of us whose children are just coming into national events, it's somewhat jarring.

I gather that this is just one of the issues that one endures in order to participate in national events, but it would sure be nice if event planning could accommodate the fact that cadets and juniors go to school as well as fence. While fencing is a wonderful sport, school is important as well.