Noah had another amazing day fencing yesterday!
The Winter Garden Fencing Club hosted this senior foil "Trial by Fire" event at a venue in Ocoee, Florida. Eighteen fencers participated, twelve of whom were ranked fencers. The event carried a B1 rating.
Since Noah is ranked a C15 in foil, he drew the number four seed going into the pool round. His pool included one B-rated fencer, Noah (C-rated), one D-rated and one E-rated fencer, as well as two unrated fencers.
Noah handled the unrated fencers easily, winning those bouts by scores of 5-1 and 5-2. The D-rated fencer who he had fenced before, also proved to be no match for him; Noah prevailed in this bout 5-1. The E-rated fencer put up a bit more of a fight before going down 5-3.
Noah's battle with the older B-rated fencer was the one to watch. Noah has never beaten this fencer. Last week, Noah had him on the ropes, ahead 3-1 before finally losing 4-5 to this guy. So today the stage was set for a gritty rematch. Noah fought hard in this close bout and pulled out the win!! 5-4.
Having won all of his pool bouts, Noah earned the number 3 seed in the Direct Elimination bracket. (There were two other fencers who won all of their pool bouts. They placed ahead of Noah because they had allowed fewer touches to be scored against them.) As a high seed, Noah earned an easier path in this round. His first match was against the number 14 seed, an E-rated fencer. Noah won 15-12--not a blow out, but we'll take it. Next he faced the number 6 seed, a D-rated fencer. Noah again found the win, 15-9--in better form. Noah arrives in the semifinal round, assured of a medal. He faced the number 2 seed (C-rated) in the semis. He's fenced this guy before and had trouble. Today proved to be not much different; Noah fought hard and went down in a good match by the score of 12-15. This guy went on to be the gold-medal winner in the event.
Noah wins a bronze medal (third place) in a senior B-rated event. Bravo to Noah!!!
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Blue and Orange
Noah competed in the senior mixed foil event at the University of Florida Blue and Orange tournament yesterday.
Some good fencing.
Noah had a tremendous showing against a B-rated fencer in the pool round. Noah scored first, then his opponent matched him. Two hard-fought touches brought Noah a 3-1 lead. One more touch by each fencer brought the score to 4-2, Noah was within one touch of winning. His opponent was able to fight back to win the match, however. A very exciting bout.
Noah lost one other bout in the pools, earning the #17 seed going into the Direct Elimination round.
His first DE was an easy 15-4 win against the #16 seed. His next bout pitted him against the number one seed--an A-rated fencer considered to be one of the best fencers in Florida. Noah found a way to score several touches against him, but could not prevail, losing 5-15.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Taming the Bull
Noah had a wonderful time yesterday at the University of South Florida's "Da'Bull Touch" fencing tournament.
The day began early (after a two-hour drive) with the Senior Mixed Foil event. Noah started slow with two quick losses in the pools. His third bout, against a D-rated fencer, was a close one. After starting behind 0-2, Noah came back to tie the score. They then traded touches scoring : 2-3, 3-3, 3-4. Noah fought hard and tied the score, 4-4. His opponent was able to score the winning touch, though. Noah won his last two pool bouts. First a 5-1 win against an unrated fencer, then a close victory (5-4) on a come-from-behind effort aided by a red card awarded to the other fencer.
Noah earned the number 15 seed going into the elimination bracket of this senior event. He faced an E-rated fencer in the first round. Noah started the encounter fairly strong edging ahead with a 7-5 score. His opponent put on the gas and scored three times in a row, taking the lead, 7-8. Noah came back with a strong push to bring the score to 12-9 at the break. The other fencer scored first after the break, but Noah then scored three times to win the encounter 15-10.
Noah's next bout was against the number two seed. This guy was good; he jumped out to a 5-0 lead as Noah lost points rushing to attack. The first period ended with Noah down 2-9. In the second period, Noah was able to make a few more touches and also improved his defense, holding on to end the second period 6-14. Noah scored first in the third period, but could not avoid the inevitable, losing this one 7-15 to the fencer who eventually won the event. Noah finished 16th in the senior mixed foil event.
After a break for lunch, the Div 3 Foil event began. After the busy morning, Noah fenced well in the pools for this event. In fact, you might say he dominated this round of competition, winning his bouts 5-1, 5-1, 5-0, 5-1, 5-1, and 5-0. As a result he earned the number one seed and a first-round bye going into the elimination bracket. He won his first DE 15-5, and had a similarly easy time with his next opponent, winning 15-3. The semifinal match-up was a good one, with Noah winning 15-7.
The gold-medal bout was the toughest encounter Noah faced all day. The fencing was intense; the score stayed close, tied 7-7 at the break. Noah scored first after the break, but his opponent kept matching him to a score of 12-12. Noah was able to finish with three consecutive touches to win the Div 3 Foil event. With this win, Noah earned a C2015 rating.
Interesting tidbits:
- The semifinals of this event included three women and Noah.
- The top eight fencers in the Div 3 event were from eight different fencing clubs.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Golden Boy!
Yesterday, Noah competed in an RYC Y14 foil event in Atlanta.
Noah had seven in his pool, so he fenced six bouts. His first encounter was with a fencer from Virginia. He was up for a moment, 2-1, early on, but quickly fell behind as the other fencer scored three touches in a row. Down now, 2-4, Noah scored again, but couldn't pull it out, losing by a score of 3-5.
The remainder of his pool bouts went pretty well. He won four of them by a score of 5-2, and won the last 5-1. He was the top fencer in his pool, earning the number two seed going into the elimination bracket.
Noah earned a bye in the round of 16. This round took forever since the organizers only used two strips and two referees. Eventually, Noah's DE bout in the round of 8 started. After all that waiting, this was a good warm-up bout for Noah. He was facing the number seven seed. Noah scored the first seven touches, allowing him to relax and try some new things. He won, 15-6.
The number three seed was next. Not an easy bout, this. Noah fell behind quickly, down 1-6. Not looking good. But Noah rallied and brought the score to within one, and edging ahead to lead at the break 9-8. In the second period, Noah scored, then his opponent scored, then Noah, then his opponent. 11-10. Then Noah scored twice. Then the other fencer scored twice. Noah was then able to make the final two touches for the win. A hotly-contested battle. Noah wins, 15-12.
The gold-medal final bout was against the fencer who beat him in the pools. I don't think Noah was too concerned since he tends to warm up during the course of an event, and he was fencing well. Noah began strong, scoring three unanswered touches. His opponent won 5 of the next nine points, but at the break Noah was still in the lead, 7-5. Noah came back after the break to score two more quick touches to extend his lead. These were then matched by his opponent, but then Noah scored four unanswered points to bring the score to 13-7. Then it was the opponent's turn. He turned turned it up and scored the next four touches. Now 13-11. Not over yet. Noah did eventually score the final two touches to win the day. 15-11. A gold-medal performance!
Noah had seven in his pool, so he fenced six bouts. His first encounter was with a fencer from Virginia. He was up for a moment, 2-1, early on, but quickly fell behind as the other fencer scored three touches in a row. Down now, 2-4, Noah scored again, but couldn't pull it out, losing by a score of 3-5.
The remainder of his pool bouts went pretty well. He won four of them by a score of 5-2, and won the last 5-1. He was the top fencer in his pool, earning the number two seed going into the elimination bracket.
Noah earned a bye in the round of 16. This round took forever since the organizers only used two strips and two referees. Eventually, Noah's DE bout in the round of 8 started. After all that waiting, this was a good warm-up bout for Noah. He was facing the number seven seed. Noah scored the first seven touches, allowing him to relax and try some new things. He won, 15-6.
The number three seed was next. Not an easy bout, this. Noah fell behind quickly, down 1-6. Not looking good. But Noah rallied and brought the score to within one, and edging ahead to lead at the break 9-8. In the second period, Noah scored, then his opponent scored, then Noah, then his opponent. 11-10. Then Noah scored twice. Then the other fencer scored twice. Noah was then able to make the final two touches for the win. A hotly-contested battle. Noah wins, 15-12.
The gold-medal final bout was against the fencer who beat him in the pools. I don't think Noah was too concerned since he tends to warm up during the course of an event, and he was fencing well. Noah began strong, scoring three unanswered touches. His opponent won 5 of the next nine points, but at the break Noah was still in the lead, 7-5. Noah came back after the break to score two more quick touches to extend his lead. These were then matched by his opponent, but then Noah scored four unanswered points to bring the score to 13-7. Then it was the opponent's turn. He turned turned it up and scored the next four touches. Now 13-11. Not over yet. Noah did eventually score the final two touches to win the day. 15-11. A gold-medal performance!
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Another Medal!
This week, Noah fenced an RYC Y14 foil event in the Orlando area.
Noah lost two of his five pool bouts, earning the fifth seed going into the direct elimination round. He beat the number 12 seeded fencer handily, 15-3. The number four seed gave him a bit more of a fight, but Noah came out on top, 15-12.
In the semifinals, Noah faced the number one seed, losing 3-15 in a one-sided encounter.
Noah comes away with a bronze medal to add to his collection!!! He also earned points that will help in the regional points race.
Noah lost two of his five pool bouts, earning the fifth seed going into the direct elimination round. He beat the number 12 seeded fencer handily, 15-3. The number four seed gave him a bit more of a fight, but Noah came out on top, 15-12.
In the semifinals, Noah faced the number one seed, losing 3-15 in a one-sided encounter.
Noah comes away with a bronze medal to add to his collection!!! He also earned points that will help in the regional points race.
USF Oktoberfence
Noah's most exciting tournament so far this year took place on October 10 at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
The day began with the Senior Foil event. Noah was looking good in his pool bouts, winning three and losing a close one with a score of 3-4. This proved good enough to earn the fifth seed and a first-round bye going into the elimination round. The four fencers seeded above him were all rated fencers.
His round-of-sixteen match was against the number 12 seed. Noah survived a close duel with a 15-14 score. His next match was against the number-four, rated fencer. Noah was feeling good, leading 11-0 at the break. But he fell apart in the second period and took a hard loss with a score of 14-15.
After a break for some food and to gain his composure, the Div 3 competition began. This event was initially a C2 event with 25 participants, however, one person withdrew at the last minute to bring the classification of the event down to a D1. It was still a strong event, with ten ranked fencers vying for gold.
Noah got off to a slow start in the pool round, winning two bouts, and losing two more. This earned him the 14th seed going in to the direct elimination round. He faced the 19th seed in the round of 32, winning easily, 15-4. His second encounter was with the number three seed. Noah dug deep and had an amazing bout--pulling out the win, 15-11. In the next round, he was to face the number six seed, another rated fencer. Working on the adrenaline from his win against the number 3 seed, Noah fought valiantly and pulled off another win! 15-10. With this victory, Noah enters the semi-final and becomes eligible for his first USFA rating. (The top four fencers could earn ratings in this event.)
The semi final match was against the number two seed. Noah was on a roll. Winning 15-5. On to the final, gold-medal bout.
In the gold-medal final, the number nine seed proved a valiant opponent in a fiercely-contested match. But Noah survived (15-13) winning his first senior/adult-event gold medal and earning a D rating!!!! Go Noah!!!!!!
The day began with the Senior Foil event. Noah was looking good in his pool bouts, winning three and losing a close one with a score of 3-4. This proved good enough to earn the fifth seed and a first-round bye going into the elimination round. The four fencers seeded above him were all rated fencers.
His round-of-sixteen match was against the number 12 seed. Noah survived a close duel with a 15-14 score. His next match was against the number-four, rated fencer. Noah was feeling good, leading 11-0 at the break. But he fell apart in the second period and took a hard loss with a score of 14-15.
After a break for some food and to gain his composure, the Div 3 competition began. This event was initially a C2 event with 25 participants, however, one person withdrew at the last minute to bring the classification of the event down to a D1. It was still a strong event, with ten ranked fencers vying for gold.
Noah got off to a slow start in the pool round, winning two bouts, and losing two more. This earned him the 14th seed going in to the direct elimination round. He faced the 19th seed in the round of 32, winning easily, 15-4. His second encounter was with the number three seed. Noah dug deep and had an amazing bout--pulling out the win, 15-11. In the next round, he was to face the number six seed, another rated fencer. Working on the adrenaline from his win against the number 3 seed, Noah fought valiantly and pulled off another win! 15-10. With this victory, Noah enters the semi-final and becomes eligible for his first USFA rating. (The top four fencers could earn ratings in this event.)
The semi final match was against the number two seed. Noah was on a roll. Winning 15-5. On to the final, gold-medal bout.
In the gold-medal final, the number nine seed proved a valiant opponent in a fiercely-contested match. But Noah survived (15-13) winning his first senior/adult-event gold medal and earning a D rating!!!! Go Noah!!!!!!
 |
| The finalists |
 |
| Official Results |
View full results on askfred.com.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
A New Season
The 2015-1016 fencing season has begun. Noah's first event was a referee observation tournament in Newberry. Noah fenced the Senior Foil competition. This was his first-ever adult tournament. Now that he is 13, he can fence in several adult fencing events. Noah is looking forward to the challenge!
Noah won two pool bouts, and lost two, earning the number 9 seed. He lost his first DE bout, 11-15, to the number 8 seeded fencer. This guy was an E-rated fencer who placed sixth in this competition to earn a D rating. Noah wasn't pleased that he lost, but this was a nearby event run to help young referees practice and be observed. Not bad for a first-of-the-season event.
Noah's second competition this fall was the Atlanta Fencing Classic SYC. This was a big event. He fenced Y14 and Cadet foil events. The Y14 competition included 44 fencers, several of whom were highly rated. Noah struggled in the pools as he faced these guys, winning two and losing three bouts. He earned the 26 seed going into the next round of competition. He won his first DE against the 39th seed, 15-5. He then faced the number seven seed in a tough match, losing 10-15.
In the Cadet Foil event, Noah would fence much larger opponents. He won two of his six pool bouts. Lots of good fencing, but a tough result. Entering the DEs, he was the 22nd seed. Outmatched by the number 11 seed, Noah succumbed 1-15.
His results in Atlanta did not earn him national points or qualify him for the summer nationals, but hopefully he learned a few things about himself and had a pretty good time doing it. He does not regret his losses.
On to face the rest of the season!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)