First Place Region 6 Foil Ranking

The Regional Youth Circuit season has drawn to a close and Noah has earned the number one spot on the regional rankings list for foil. Noah competed in three RYC tournaments and placed first, first, and second to earn the most number of points for the season.

April Region 6 RYC

Noah spent the weekend in Longwood, Florida at the Stoccata Region 6 RYC (Regional Youth Circuit) tournament. In this type of event, competitors earn points toward qualifying for the national championship tournament held in the summer. They are also in a race within the region for recognition. Our region includes eleven states from Maryland to Louisiana to Florida. Noah fenced two events this weekend: Y14 foil, and Y14 epee.

Saturday kicked off with the foil competition. It included fencers from Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Noah won all of his pool bouts to earn the #1 seed going into the elimination rounds. Noah's first DE matchup proved to be pretty easy as he won 15-1. The semifinal bout was not much more difficult. Noah scored a 15-4 win. As expected, the final was the most challenging. Noah built up a good 6-2 lead, but his opponent rallied with four straight touches to tie the score. Not to be outdone, Noah retaliated with four straight touches of his own on the way to a 10-7 lead at the break. Noah finished the bout in the next period, winning 15-10.

Sunday began with the epee event.What a day this was! Not having fenced much epee this year, Noah started slow, losing his first two pool bouts, both by the score of 3-5. He closed out the pool round with 5-0 wins over both of the weaker fencers in his group. This result earned him the number 8 seed in this 15-person event. His first elimination matchup (DE) was with the number 9 seed, a smart fencer he'd seen before. Noah was down early, 1-3, and lagged a bit, arriving at the first break still behind 5-8. Not too bad. Noah rallied at the beginning of the second period. After being down 5-9, Noah scored four straight touches to tie the score. Thrilling! Some tough fencing brought us to the end of the second period with Noah in the lead, 12-11. At the outset of the third period, his opponent scored twice against Noah's one touch, bringing us to 13-13. Nerve-wracking. Noah found one more touch (now 14-13). Lots of torrid action ensued before the final double-touch which won the match for Noah.  Final score: 15-14. A close one!!

The round of 8 was next. Noah was up against the number one seed in the bracket. Noah started slow. It was looking like an uphill battle against this guy. Noah was down by a score of 4-8 at the first break. His opponent scored first in the second period. 4-9. Noah rallied, scoring the next three touches, then a double touch, and another single touch for Noah. The score is now 9-10. Noah is within one. After another double touch and a point by the opponent we are now at 10-12. The closer his opponent gets to the winning score (15), the more pressure is on Noah. Another double, and then Noah scores on his own, bringing the second period to an end with the score 12-13. Noah is within one, but his opponent only has to make two touches to win. The third period begins. Noah scores! tying the score 13-13. But shortly the fencers are called for non-combativity. This is called when no one scores for one minute. They skip to the last minute of the period, and since this is the last period, "Priority" is added to encourage the fencers to score.  Noah wins the coin toss and is awarded Priority. This means he will win if the score is still tied at the end of the one-minute encounter. The fencers' efforts are renewed. More action! Noah scores!  He thinks he won, but no, the entire minute must be fenced in this instance. But now he's in the lead! 14-13. More intense fencing ensues resulting in a double touch which wins it for Noah. 15-14. What a duel!!!!

In the semifinal match Noah faces a number 3 seed (there was a three-way tie for third). The first period was close, with Noah ahead 6-5 at the break. Noah got off to a good start in the next period and was able to increase on that easy lead to wrap this one up 15-10.

In the final Noah faced the number 2 seed. A strong fencer who had performed as expected throughout the elimination round. This gold-medal bout was something.  Noah takes the early lead, 2-0. His opponent rallied and now Noah is down 2-3. Noah sneaks in a couple more touches to bring the score at the break to 4-3. The second and third periods move slowly--Noah still leads, 6-4, after two periods. We eventually arrive at the end of regulation tied at 8-8. They enter a Priority overtime period. Noah's opponent won the coin toss so if there is no score during this one-minute encounter he will win. Noah must score to win. Fencing in this period was much more intense that what we'd seen earlier. Noah had to score!!  And score he did, to win the day!  Final score: 9-8. We'll take it!

NOTE: In February 2015 Noah laid down the epee and decided to only fence foil. All of his efforts were directed at that as he improved his game and moved up through the rankings. He earned his C rating on foil in December 2015. Earlier this month, Noah decided to fence an epee event. He won! and earned a C rating in epee.  This week's epee tournament was only his second one since FEB 2015. Another win!

Busy Schedule

Noah has been a busy fencer in recent months. His fencing has improved noticeably and his recent results reflect this. He has won or placed high in several adult events recently. He has also updated his rating to a C2016. Take a look at the results page (linked in the menu above) to see how he is doing.

Noah won a gold medal today, besting a B-rated fencer in a small event. He'll be travelling to tournaments in Orlando, Atlanta, and Miami in the next three weeks for some big events where he hopes to meet some great fencers and collect a few more medals. Check out his schedule on the schedule page...maybe you can see him in action in a city near you! All tournaments are free to attend.

2016 Capitol Clash

Noah is preparing for the 2016 Capitol Clash SYC Fencing Tournament, a super-regional national qualifying tournament where he can win points that will earn him a national ranking. He will compete January 16 and 17 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Conference Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Noah is slated to compete in two events: Y14 foil and Cadet foil.

156 fencers will compete in Y14 men's foil on Saturday
109 fencers will compete in Cadet (under 17) men's foil on Sunday

Start times, and live scoring can be viewed at: http://live.capitolclash.com/

The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center boasts 2000 guest rooms and 470,000 square feet of meeting space.  It is the largest combined hotel and convention center on the East Coast.

Fencing will take place in the EXPO HALLS A, B, and C on the lower level.

If you are planning to come watch Noah fence, here is what you need to know:
- Entrance to the venue is free, open to the public.
- If you have some portable, folding chairs you might want to throw them in the car.  There will be some chairs at the tournament, but it'll be nice to have some nearby in case there are not enough.
- There will be a good bit of time when Noah is not fencing.  You can watch other fencers, explore the exhibits, read a book, do crossword puzzles... There may be free wi-fi available.
- Wear comfortable shoes.  You'll be standing on concrete floors all day.
- If you are not familiar with the format of the sport, take at look at our "rules" page.
- Plan to show up about the time each event is scheduled to begin.  They won't start on time, but Noah will fence a good bit at the beginning of each event, then the elimination rounds begin.
- I'll have my cell phone. Call if you need to find us once you arrive at the venue.
- You don't have to stay for the whole thing.  But you'll probably get hooked once it begins!

A word about the schedule:

SATURDAY
Noah will fence the Y14 foil event on Saturday.  It it slated to begin around 1:00 pm and will last into the evening. There will be 156 competitors in this event. This is Noah's age group, so he'll do best on this day.

SUNDAY
Noah will fence the Cadet foil event on Sunday.  It should begin shortly after 11:30 am.  This event will last all day long and into the evening. There will be 109 competitors in this event. This event will include fencers up to age 16.

- Results will be available LIVE online.  You can check scores as they are updated during the event.  http://live.capitolclash.com/

- Parking: Discount parking in the Gaylord Resort lot will be available for $12 .. You'll need to collect a blue discount parking card outside the fencing hall (at the registration desk B). Present this card (or insert in the machine) when you leave along with your parking ticket.

National Harbor public parking garages will cost $13 if you are there for more than 4 hours.  The ST. GEORGE lot is the closest public lot to the fencing venue.  It is across the street from the resort.  More info at: http://nationalharbor.com/parking


- Driving directions: http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/directions-transportation/directions/index.html

Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
201 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, Maryland 20745

Trial by Fire

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!!!

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.

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.