WWU Fencing

2008-06-24T09:30:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates! It looks like the blogger is working again, so we'll try to post updates regularly like we used to.

Competition Results

2007-01-21T19:55:00.000-08:00

This weekend we sent 7 fencers down to the Battle in Seattle at the Salle Auriol to compete in all three weapons. For a few of them it was their first time in a competition (and for most of us it was our first time at such a large competition). Good job to all of those who competed.

Mixed Epee: 60 competitors

Zach Munsey - 28th
Joe Kennedy - 43rd

Also noteworthy, Lane Givens from Bellingham Bay Fencing Club got 11th.

Mixed Saber: 51 competitors

Joe Kennedy - 43rd
Jessica Jamsgard - 44th

Womens Saber: 21 competitors

Jessica Jamsgard - 21st

Mixed Foil: 58 competitors

Patrick Darby - 7th
Zach Munsey - 49th
Joe Kennedy - 51st
Ryan Cowper - 54th
Justin Donias - 55th
Jessica Jamsgard - 57th
Daniel Spurlock - 58th

Last fall quarter practice

2006-12-06T22:48:00.000-08:00

We had our last practice for the quarter tonight. Did some footwork, short drills, a new game and an old game, and free fencing. Thanks to everyone who turned out, and we hope you have a happy winter break.

Tournament Results

2006-12-02T16:55:00.000-08:00

1 McEniry, Scott
2 Allen, Michael
3 Kennedy, Joseph
4 Munsey, Zachary
4 Jamsgard, Jessica
6 Hutchinson, Luke
7 McEniry, Liam
8 Spurlock, Daniel
9 Severtson, Eric

It was a good tournament that took longer than expected. We had some of our new people experience what a tournament is like, which is always good. Thanks to everyone who came out.

We have our last practice of the quarter on Wednesday the 6th, so hope to see everyone there.

Random Updates

2006-11-21T22:33:00.000-08:00

We actually raised 757 lbs of food for the Bellingham Food Bank. There was a slight mix up that I won't go in to now, but 90 more lbs were found, so that's great!

We have a tournament coming up on December 2nd. It will be a non-competitive, dry tournament that is open to everyone. Novices are strongly encouraged to come and fence! You do NOT need a USFA membership, knickers, or electric gear. The club can provide some jackets, foils, and masks to club members. Entry fee is $5. We'd love to see everyone there!

The practice tonight was small. Mike taught a foil lesson, Greg taught a saber lesson.

We have been discussing sweat shirts and t-shirts, so if you haven't been to practice in a while and want one, you may want to show up next practice. Patches are on the way as well.

Tournament Results

2006-11-19T23:24:00.000-08:00

Mixed Foil: 7 Fencers

1. Michael Allen
2. Issac Kreutzkamp
3. Joe Kennedy

Mixed Epee: 8 Fencers

1. Matti Schneider (earning an E rating)
2. Lingling Tai
3. Julian Briggs

This tournament was not as large as we expected it would be, but that's ok. They will pick up winter quarter.

Upcoming Tournament/Food Drive!

2006-11-14T20:18:00.001-08:00

We have a foil/epee tournament this Saturday (the 18th). Foil starts at 9 am, epee at 1 pm. The entry fee for each weapon is $10. Hope to see everyone there!

We had a food drive for the Bellingham Food Bank a couple weekends ago, and the results are in! We raised 667 lbs of food and $158.24 for the food bank, the most we've raised yet. Thanks to everyone who helped out.

Oct. 21st tournament results!

2006-10-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

We had six people show up for our first tournament of the year, which unfortunately landed on the same date as two large tournaments in Seattle. Due to the small turnout we did not fence epee.

Results:
1st: Patrick
2nd: Zach
3rd (tied): Jessica
3rd(tied): Issac
4th: Joe
5th: Mark

The tournament went smoothly with no real problems with equipment or the scoring box. Everyone fenced very well, and we hope to see more people come to our next tournament on November 18th.

Oct. 18th Practice

2006-10-18T22:55:00.000-07:00

Once again we had a good turnout for practice. A few new people came nad were taught the basics, while the rest of the group did footwork and blade work. Afterwards we all played Speed Circle, where we all formed a circle and two people would fence, until everyone went and a winner was left. After that we did a full round robin, which left everyone tired. Joe discussed equipment orders with some of the new people as the night ended.

8/12 practice

2006-10-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

Once again we had a great turnout. Greg held saber classes, which 7 or 8 people took part in. Everyone else either free fenced, or did lessons with Joe. Afterwards we all played a few games of Take the Bridge. Afterwards there was much free fencing, and many beginners stuck around and fenced.

Practice #2

2006-10-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

We had a good turn out last night. Joe instructed the beginners on parrying, while Kristi helped some others get caught up. The advanced fencers free fenced. About half way through the night we played Take the Bridge a few times with everyone, which worked out very well.

We have a food drive and tournament coming up soon. More information on these will be posted soon.

First Practice

2006-10-04T23:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome everyone! Our first practice went well. If you didn't show up to the first one it's no big deal, just show up next tuesday or wednesday at 8 in Carver Gym D.

We had a good amount of new fencers with us, and Joe acted as coach and showed them all the basic moves. After various drills we did some free fencing, with some of the new people staying and playing around. We all enjoyed fencing for the first time in a few months, and hopefully we will go to a few tournaments soon. Hope to see everyone there next tuesday.

Meeting times

2006-09-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

*edit* Our fall meeting times are in! First official practice is on Wednesday the 4th in Carver Gym D between 8 and 10 pm. We will be meeting on Tuesday the 3rd at 8 pm in front of the Rec Center to sort out Hold Harmless forms, as well as hold a short club meeting. You can check the website for more info (www.wwu.edu/fencing). Hope to see you all there!

Death of a member

2006-08-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

Samantha "Sam" Semmern was killed this past weekend by a drunk driver. The local story can be read here:

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/8081350p-7974260c.html

In the words of our President:

Regrettably I am writing to inform you of a grave loss to our community and club. Samantha Semmern, who most of you knew by sam "too small to stab", was killed last saturday by a drunk driver. Sam loved fencing and and cherished the time she spent with us. Sam completed her BA in Linguistics in Winter, 2006 and was all set to leave for Morrocco with the Peace Corps to teach english in september. I have been told by Sam's family that anyone wanting to make a donation should send it to the Peace Corp in Samantha's name. If anyone has a good idea for a propper fencing memorail or benifit tournament let one of the officers know or send me back an email. We will be working on a propper fencing goodbye.

She will be missed.

Last practice 5/30

2006-05-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

The last practice of the year was held today. 11 people showed up to say good-bye and drop off equipment. The first hour was focused on a series of dry bouts rotating through the present fencers. The second hour was dedicated to working through some fencing games that will be used next year as a retention tool.

A brief synopsis of some of the games:

Zombies (a Saber game)

A small number of participants are the Living.
Everyone else is the Undead.
The Undead can only be killed by head shots.
The Living can have arms lopped off and stuff.

Terminator

One person is the terminator.
The terminator is up as long as he can stand it.
The terminator can 'kill' opponents with legitimate touches.
Opponents revive after a short while.
VERDICT: This is an endurance game for the Terminator, fatigue will knock him down in time.

Bridge

A narrow strip of ground is defined as The Bridge.
Two equal teams of fencers is selected, and stand shoulder to shoulder to 'guard the bridge'.
Legitimate foil touches (Sabre can be used, but it makes the game MUCH faster) kill.
Falling off the side or back of the Bridge is a kill.
Winning team eliminates all opponents.

Bridge -- Relay

Rules as above, with these additions
When killed you run back to a chair beyond the end of your end of the bridge, touch it, and run to return to the battle.
You can revive twice, for a total of three touches for a kill.
VERDICT: This makes for a much longer game. This is a VERY anaerobic activity. Our older fencers were worrying about heart issues after it. In a good way.

War

Every man for himself.
Once engaging an opponent, it is normal fencing rules. Standard hits score.
Three touches and you are eliminated.
No back-stabbing.

Great fun was had, and a lot of sweat was shed.

The End of Year party will be Wednesday at 5:30 at Michael's house. Pot-luck.

Practice 5/24

2006-05-25T20:19:00.000-07:00

As per usual, there was no formal class held. Six people arrived for the practice.

Announcements:

The last practice will be next Tuesday. The facility is closed on Wednesday.
There will be an end-of-year party either Wednesday or Thursday. To be decided.

Practice 5/23

2006-05-24T15:26:00.000-07:00

In what may be our second to last practice, we had 5 people show up. All but one an officer or incoming officer. The focus was on foil.

It is not yet clear if we will have access to Carver during dead week (next week), so next week's practice schedule is not firm. More news later.

Practice 5/16

2006-05-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

Only about 8 people showed up for practice. The late-season doldrom appears to be continuing. One on one sabre lessons were given, and electric foil fencing done.

Charity tournament 5/13

2006-05-13T22:14:00.000-07:00

The results will be posted to AskFred once the computer the results are on gets to an internet connection.

The tournament went rather well, and fun was had by all. The Dry Foil was a single pool of 9 since we didn't have enough judges and fencers to do two pools. It finished just before 1. Then balloon Epee and balloon saber!

Setup of the tournament.

This was a dry tournament, so fencers switched sides once one got to three points. And shook hands.

Fencing in motion

A touch!

A lunge is parried

A parry in eight.

And because Blogger is being difficult about posting images, this will be the last batch for this update. Expect more photos later!

Practice 5/10

2006-05-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

Today was inventory day! The closet was emptied, and we counted our stuff. Two decidedly unsafe masks were destroyed in the process, as a safety measure. People with stuff still checked out will be getting calls from our resident guido.

In other news:

The Whatcom Humane Society fundraiser is this weekend.
We're planning an end-of-year party to be held on Thursday June 1st. Pot luck since we're poor at the moment. More details later.

Practice 5/9

2006-05-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

It was a small turnout. Those present indicated heavy testing as the prime reason others were not present. We had a visitor from another college, a guest of one of our members.

Practice 5/3

2006-05-04T11:48:00.000-07:00

The number of fencers attending this practice was the average for the quarter, about 11. Our coach had no lesson plan, so it was request hour.

Announcements:

The canned food-drive brought in 142 pounds of food.
The Whatcom Humane Society fundraiser is the 13th.
Our End Of Year report is due to the sports council, and our report will be given Wednesday the 24th.

Practice 5/2

2006-05-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

A fair number of fencers arrived for practice today. A total of 11 showed up, including two that hadn't been around for a few weeks. As per usual on Tuesday, it was electrical fencing, free fencing, and one on one lessons.

Practice 4/26

2006-04-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

A moderate turnout, with about 13 people including two new people.

Announcements:

Canned food drive this Saturday! Shifts were announced.
Pledge drive for the Whatcom Humane Society still on-going, some folk are over the $100 mark so far!
The Dominos pizza cards have arrived for resale!

Practice 4/25

2006-04-26T08:27:00.000-07:00

Another smaller turnout, only 7 people. Electric foil was the primary focus. There wasn't enough demand to hold a sabre class.