Archive for April, 2007

By: Elizabeth Donnenberg

I would like to share with all of you my experience at the NAC in Albuquerque Nov 9-13th, In Cadet, I didn’t do very well in the pools. I didn’t recognize any of the fencers except for one of my friends, Barrette. I lost three and won three of my bouts. I only remember my bout against Barrette, which ended 5-3. I won. I don’t remember all of my DE’s either. I won a few and then had to fence Hurley and lost pretty badly. I need to get stronger and quicker if I hope to beat her. Then I fenced Gagen and won 15-14. Making actions with sixes really helped and staying active. My last bout was against D’Agostino. I know that if I took a strong enough six I could have win but my wrist was tired and I couldn’t execute the action.

In Youth 14, I had I nice pool and won all of my bouts. My first DE was against this girl named Young. She was kind of difficult because she was quick but I was finally able to get her and finish the bout 15-11. My next DE was against Foster, she used a French grip and liked to lunge. I beat her 15-6. After that I got into the top eight and lost to English from Los Angeles. She goes to the same club as Gagen. With her, my wrist started to hurt and it was hard for me to avoid getting my blade hit and still be able to get the point.

Juniors went much better than expected. I won all of my pool bouts, even the one against Kristin Howell. I was eighth after pools. My first DE was against a strong fencer. I had a hard time with her and barely won 15-14. After that I fenced Barrette again, but this time she was lunging faster and stronger and I lost. Unfortunately I then fenced again against a Canadian, Lavoie, She beat me. I am going to have to get faster and stronger. Overall it was a great experience and I am training more to keep up the good result for the rest of the season.

There are several fencing clubs in Houston, each with their strengths and weaknesses. One particular strength that they all seem to have is that they all have really good kids that fence at each. My wife and I have always been impressed with how these young fencers seem to have great composure, maturity and sportsmanship. Another strength that we have observed over the past few years is the friendships that develop even in the face of competition. A good example of this is women’s foil. In Houston there are not many highly competitive women’s foil fencers in the Y14, cadet and junior age groups and as such these young ladies are constantly fencing each other in the local tournaments and sometimes at the national level. In spite of the age differences, skill level and club affiliation, they have become good friends.

This past March at the NAC tournament in Atlanta, Sarah Followill (Salle Mauro), Karalina Collins (Alliance) and Hannah Jordan (Bayou City) all competed in the Division II and III events. It was interesting to watch these three during the tournament. Not only did they help each other warm-up, but were all keeping up with the progress of the other two during pools and in the DE’s. When one would get eliminated, she would simply go cheer the others on. It was great to see these young people in a highly competitive sport offer support to each other. As a parent, to see this type of behavior, only solidifies my notion that my daughter picked the right sport to compete in. Ladies, keep up the good work. You make us proud.