Is 16 old enough to get good?

[Adam]

Is 16 old enough to get good enough to be able to win competitions and to do college fencing? or do you need more time

[Chris]

Yes, and No:
Fencing is a skill-based sport.
It takes time to acquire the various physical, mental, and emotional skills required to succeed.

Som kids as young as age 13 are very skilled, confident, and winning medals against experienced grownups.
However, this usually takes 3-6 years.

If you have just started, then you must set your goals accordingly; Winning tournaments is definitley an object you should consider (after all SOMEONE has to win...) but maybe you won't be winning quite yet.

I think you may need to wait until you get to college to fence collegiate...


Keep on pluggin'!

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Adam:

It's never too late. There is a progression of tournaments to enter...beginning with "novice" (fencing for less than a year), "unrated" (you're a USFA member, but haven't earned a rating yet) and then the NACs at the national level. That's in addition to any local "junior" tournaments in your area, or opens...where the competition can vary from someone on the national points list to beginners.

At the national level, you'll be limited to the "Junior" (under 20) competitions for your age, and that's a tough group to start with. There's also Div3, which is limited to "D" and "U" (unrated fencers).

Take your lessons, practice every chance you get, and go to every local meet for a while and see how you do, before spending a ton of money to go to the national tournaments.

Now, for college. There are tons of collegiate fencing programs, both competitive and intramural. Some offer scholarships--but at your age, you'd need to get going if you're going to try for a scholarship. It's not impossible, but you'll need to start doing well
nationally to have a good shot.

[Inquartata]

Cap'n, juniors aren't limited to junior events only. A number of our world-class sabre fencers are juniors, fencing in Div I and internationally for us...

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Originally posted by Inquartata
Cap'n, juniors aren't limited to junior events only. A number of our world-class sabre fencers are juniors, fencing in Div I and internationally for us...

Oh, absolutely. I was assuming that as a brand new fencer, he wouldn't be going to Div 1/Div 1A/international meets for some while.

At 16, the junior level would just be the first age-bracket NAC for which he could qualify. Remember, this year he needs a C to fence in Division one and the rumor is next year he will need a B. It is hard for a 16 year old to start with those rankings.

[Adam]

Is ther any page that shows all the tournaments / age stuff, because all that tournament code is confuzing

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Originally posted by Adam
Is ther any page that shows all the tournaments / age stuff, because all that tournament code is confuzing

It is all in the rule book but there is:
Youth 10
Youth 12
Youth 14
Cadet (under 16) If you were born in 1986 this would be your last year.
Junior (under 19)
in the youth fencing categories

Adult Competitions:
Division 1 (Must have a C rating or better)
Division 1-A is held only at Summer Nationals and you must qualify for it at Sectionals or be in the top 8 at last years Div 1a, or the top four of last years Div 2 national championships
Div2 (C rating or less)
Div 3 (D rating or less)

Is that what you were looking for?

[DHCJr]

Originally posted by Adam
Is 16 old enough to get good enough to be able to win competitions and to do college fencing? or do you need more time

As posters have said we have had a number of Juniors and even Cadets at the top level. Currently in Women's Foil the number one fencer is a Cadet, Emily Cross.

And as others said it is skill. I have seen fencers, not even start Fencing until they are in college and become 1st Team All-Americans (Top 3) at the NCAA.

It all depends on your natural athletic and mental skills. That doesn't mean you can just breeze through. This is not like other sports, there is a lot more mental and coordinating the two does take time. How long, who knows?