USFA - WI News

Wisconsin Fencers Shine at Summer Nationals

Congratulations to all the Wisconsin fencers who competed at the 2008 Summer Nationals.

The big story from the Nationals is that our own Joe Biebel took first place in the Veteran's 50 Men's Foil event. Joe was on fire all day. He completed his pool round undefeated and was the second seed going into the tableau of 54 fencers.

In the finals Joe fenced Norm Mattox. Norm had beaten Joe at the Chicago NAC earlier this season, so these two have a fierce competitive history. They traded touches with Joe finally beating Norm 10-8 with a nice combination of counterattack, then riposte.

This victory is Joe's 4^th V50 national title and qualities him for the V50 World Championships in Limoges France. Interestingly, it was in Limoges in 2003 that Joe won his first V50 World title.

Other Wisconsin results from the Summer Nationals:

Garret Buell: D1AMS, 66 and DV2MS 74
Kate Cavanaugh: U19WE, 72
Ian Greenberg: DV2MS, 50; DV3MS, 38 and U19MS, 102
Jocelyn Hutton: D1AWE, 27 and DV2WE, 28
Linus Marco: DV3MF 97t
Alexander Shilakis: Y14MF, 117 and Y16MF 148

Milwaukee Sport Fencing Academy (MSFA)

Open House Open

June 22, 2008

Come and play in the nicest fencing facility there is. This will be our first "open" USFA sanctioned tournament in Milwaukee's newest fencing venue. If you are not a USFA member, you can join at the meet. You'll get the added benefit of USFA membership for the remainder of this year and all of next year if you sign up at this time.

This is a three weapon, mixed gender event. We have limited strip space, so we've put a limit of 24 entries per event.

We will have free healthy food and beverages for fencers and guests, nice awards for 1^st through 3^rd places and, I hope, a few special guests.

Register with Ask Fred: http://askfred.net/Events/moreInfo.php?tournament_id=6105&FREDSID=5585506338d6dca0aed18a29254fc2e7

Door will open by 8:30AM. Entry fee is $20/event. Please pay at "sign-in".

Foil sign-in ends at: 9 AM Epee sign-in ends at 11 AM Saber sign-in ends at 1 PM

Times listed are the end of sign-in. Start times are 15 minutes later and standard tournament formats to be used.

Equipment must be a full proper uniform with underarm protector. USFA rules strictly enforced.

The Milwaukee Sport Fencing Academy is located at:
247 S. Water Street, Milwaukee WI 53204
Please use the wonderful map feature on "FRED" to help get you to MSFA.

If you need further information email Joe Biebel at joefencer@sbcglobal.net or call the MSFA telephone (414-232-4558) and leave a message.

The facility has 4 full size strips with plenty of space for safe refereeing. Each strip has the new Virtual Scoring Machine (VSM) computers with Shawn Hart's latest software. You will really want to see this! The reels, (bungee system) floor and lighting are first rate.

We have bathrooms, changing rooms, a refrigerator, and microwave, free coffee, water, space to stow your gear, a lounge and good seating to watch as well. There is plenty of free parking in our lot and plenty of street parking too.

Milwaukee Sport Fencing Academy
Sneak Peak*

Sunday May 18, 2008
247 S. Water Street, Milwaukee, WI
(Third Ward neighborhood)

Doors open at 9:30 AM

11:00 AM: Y-12 Foil & 13-17 Foil
12 noon: Open foil, men and women combined

Entry fee: Free!! (double at the door :)

Times listed are the end of sign-in. Fencing begins 15 minutes later. If you are late don't worry, we will let you watch.

Standard tournament format to be used. Register on AskFred for "MSFA Open House."

Full proper uniform with underarm protector required. USFA rules strictly enforced. No short socks!

The Milwaukee Sport Fencing Academy

4 full-size strips with plenty of space for safe refereeing
Virtual Scoring Machine (VSM) computers with Shawn Hart's latest software
Vertical gravity reel system of our own design
Best floor we have ever fenced on and first rate lighting
Full bathrooms, changing rooms, a refrigerator, microwave, free coffee, water, space to stow your gear, a lounge and good seating to watch the action
Free parking in our lot and plenty of street parking

MSFA is on the second floor of the building and there is no passenger elevator so you'll need to climb a few stairs.

Come and see the next big thing in Milwaukee fencing. Also, we would very much like your input on the facility and all things fencing. Please come, fence, watch and enjoy.

If you need further information, email Joe Biebel at: joefencer@sbcglobal.net, or call the MSFA (414-232-4558) and leave a message.

There are many businesses and restaurants in the area to supply you with whatever food and beverage you need.

* The venue, while not 100% finished, will be complete enough for this "sneak peak" if you don't mind the smell of a little paint.

Coaching Clinic, 5/3 & 5/4 2008

Fencing Masters Laurie Schiller and Tony Gillham are pleased to announce that they will host a US Fencing Coaches' (USFCA) clinic on Saturday and Sunday May 3-4, 2008.

It will be held at Patten Gym (2407 Sheridan Road) on the Northwestern Campus in Evanston from 10-4. Sunday afternoon will be reserved for certification exams.

They will review lesson giving and other subjects in all three weapons. The cost of the clinic will be $50 for the weekend. Please register for the clinic on AskFred.net. If you want to take a certification exam, you will need to go to the USFCA website, register and take the written exam, and then let Laurie know you want to take the practical. The fees for these are all listed on the website. Let Laurie know if you have any questions.

Laurie Schiller's contact information:
Dr. Laurence Dana Schiller
lds307@northwestern.edu
Phone: 847-491-4654
Fax: 847-467-1406

The Wisconsin division is lucky to have the clinic just across the border in Evanston, IL. If you're giving lessons, leading drills, running a club or preparing your fencers for competition, you NEED to attend this clinic.

Mike Garrison

Wisc. Div. Qualifiers (C and under Championships)

The Div. qualifiers were fenced last Saturday, 3/22/08. Complete results will be up on AskFred very soon. The division would like to thank the Caliburn Club for hosting and Dan Torchia for running a smooth event.

While there was plenty of nice fencing to go around, the real standouts, in your author's humble opinion, were found in the Y14 Mixed Foil event.

Alden and Ellis Grasse from Milwaukee Sport Fencing, Hans Gabler from Caliburn, Alexander Shilakis from Cracovia and Johanna Pluymers from the Madison Fencing Academy made up the Y14 roster.

Alden and Ellis both worked hard and scored beautiful touches. The Grasse brothers both exhibited excellent sportsmanship far beyond their years.

Hans Gabler, fencing as if he was 7' tall, overcame weapon failures to fence tough bouts against all his competitors, Hans fought for each touch; the mark of a champion.

Alexander Shilakis gave everyone a master class on sportsmanship and competitive spirit. Alexander lent his weapons to competitors, congratulated his opponents when they did well and encouraged them when they came up short.

Johanna Pluymers, the only girl in the competition, showed that elusive blend of grace and competitive fire. Johanna used tempo and the control of distance to score fantastic touches that drew "ooohhs" and "ahhhs" from the gathered crowd.

All the kids fenced hard and gained everyone's admiration. At the end of the day Johanna took first place, winning a tough match against Alexander. True to his gracious nature, Alexander was the first to congratulate Johanna, telling her, "Great bout!"

Congratulations to all the fencers and especially the Y14 kids. They made us all proud!

Mike Garrison
Wisconsin Division Chairman
3/24/08

The Wisconsin Div. II/III, U16, Y14 Qualifiers has been scheduled.

We're holding our div II/III qualifiers on Saturday March 22 at the Plymouth Church in Milwaukee.

So, mark your calendars, clean the rust off your blades and go to AskFred for start times and pe-registration. (http://askfred.net/Events/whoIsComing.php?tournament_id=5648)

Any questions? Please let me know.

Mike Garrison
Wisconsin Division Chairman, USFA
mgar919@gmail.com

The Madison Fencing Academy and your Wisconsin Division is proud to host the division's first director's clinic of 2008.

Where
Madison Fencing Academy
Orchard Ridge Church, 1501 Gilbert Ave. Madison, WI 53711

When
Saturday March 1, 2008
10:00 AM to ~3:00 PM

Cost
$25.00 ($20.00 for students)

Bring

A well-studied copy of the current USFA Rules (Sept. 2007).
Download: http://www.usfencing.org/usfa/component/option,com_remository/Itemid,95/func,select/id,17/
A well-studied copy of the National Referee Exam Study Guide.
Download: http://www.fencingofficials.org/
A copy of the Referee's Handbook.
Download: http://www.fencingofficials.org/Info/HandbookForReferees.html
Your fencing gear, including electric equipment, as we'll have strips set up.

Instructors
We are lucky to be able to bring you the guidance of Fencing Master Anthony Gillham and Coach Dan Torchia. Maestro Gillham coached the University of Wisconsin's NCAA fencing team for 18 years. He is currently coaching at the Caliburn Fencing Club in Milwaukee, WI. Mr. Torchia is the fencing coach at Catholic Memorial High School and holds USFA Referee ratings of 3 in foil and 4 in epee.

Contact
Please contact Mike Garrison with any questions or concerns.
Mike's home #: 608-273-3477
Mike's cell #: 608-444-6160
Mike's e-mail: mgar919@gmail.com

Happy New Year Wisconsin Fencers,

It is with great pleasure that I'm writing to announce the Wisconsin Division Junior Olympic Travel Grant Program.

In an effort to support and encourage junior fencing throughout the state, the executive committee of your USFA division has created a Travel Grant Program for our fencers competing at the Junior Olympics this coming February in Charlotte, NC.

Our goal is to offer financial assistance without violating potential NCAA eligibility requirements and I think we've accomplished just that. The grant pays for the competition's registration and entry fees, and nothing else. We're not paying for other expenses or determining a payout based on performance.

Here are the details...

Grant Amounts
If you're going to the Junior Olympics and fencing in one event, your grant is $100. If you're fencing in two events, your grant is $160. These amounts were determined as they cover the registration fee ($40) and the entry fees ($60 x # of events).

Grant Eligibility
You must be a USFA member in good standing and have earned a qualification spot during our JO qualifiers of 12-16-07. Also, you must present a copy of your stamped entry fee or competition receipt to the division treasurer, as these funds will be paid after the JOs.

NCAA Eligibility
The executive committee has researched the use of such funds with an eye toward NCAA eligibility. The NCAA manual allows for such payments that do not exceed event expenses and are not predicated on placement or performance at the event. Our grant fulfills each requirement. Having said that, it will be the responsibility of each fencer, and their parents, to determine their specific NCAA eligibility.

Grant Repayment
Simply put, there is none. This is a grant from the division to the fencer, made with no expectation of repayment.

I hope you'll agree with me that this is a good way for the division to spend some money; helping our junior fencers compete in national events. As always, I look forward to your thoughts, comments and advice. Please let me know if you have ANY questions or concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Garrison
Chairman, USFA Wisconsin Division
mgar919@gmail.com
608-273-3477

Hello Wisconsin fencers,

We're having a spot of trouble posting the Junior Olympic qualifier results to AskFred, so I'm putting them on the division web site (below). Also, I sent out the results to each club representative. If you have questions about your qualification status for the Junior Olympics, please let me know.

Mike Garrison
Chairman, USFA Wisconsin Division
mgar919@gmail.com

U20 Men's Sabre

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Birth Yr	Class
1	BUELL, Garrett	Caliburn Fencing Club	Q	1990	C07
2	BEESON, Harrison	Caliburn Fencing Club	Q	1991	D07
3	KOPPS, Sam	Catholic Memorial High school	Q	1989	E06
4	CONARD, Mike	Notre Dame Academy		1990	U
5	GREENBERG, Ian	Culver Academies		1991	U

U20 Men's Foil

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Birth Yr	Class
1	VOELZ, Luke	Catholic Memorial High school	Q	1990	C07
2	MARCO, Linus	Cracovia Foil Fencing School	Q	1991	D07
3	WATSON, Tim	Cracovia Foil Fencing School	Q	1990	U
4	SCHATZBERG, Simon	Cracovia Foil Fencing School		1992	U
5	SHILAKIS, Alexander	Cracovia Foil Fencing School		1993	U

U20 Men's Epee

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Auto.*	Birth Yr	Class
1	KORKOR, Bishara	Wisconsin Fencing Academy, LLC		A	1988	A07
2	PUZACH, Adam	Catholic Memorial High school	Q		1990	E07
3	KOPPS, Sam	Catholic Memorial High School	Q		1989	U
4	HELD, Karl	Wisconsin Fencing Academy, LLC	Q		1991	U

U20 Women's Foil

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Birth Yr	Class
1	LODUCA, Katie	Univ. of Wis. Fencing Club	Q	1988	D07
2	LEWIS, Catherine	Catholic Memorial High School	Q	1991	E07
3	ARKIN, Alexandra	Northwestern University	Q	1989	D07
4	RODENBECK, Erica	Catholic Memorial High School		1990	U

U20 Women's Epee

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Auto.*	Birth Yr	Class
1	CAVANAUGH, Kate	Caliburn Fencing Club		A	1991	C07
2	HENNING, Sarah	Northwestern University	Q		1988	C07
3	SCHOLTEN, Laura	Wisconsin Fencing Academy	Q		1990	U
4	DONOVAN, Marie	Brookfield Academy	Q		1990	U

U20 Women's Sabre

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Birth Yr	Class	New Class
1	BEESON, Victoria	Caliburn Fencing Club	Q	1990	U	E07
2	WEINERT, Alice	Northwestern University	Q	1988	U
3	RODENBECK, Erica	Catholic Memorial High School	Q	1990	U
4	EBLI, Anna Maria	Notre Dame Academy		1991	U
5	MESSERSCHMIDT, Sarah	Notre Dame Academy		1991	U
6	CASEY, Lillian	Catholic Memorial High School		1991	U
7	GANTZ, Gretchen	Notre Dame Academy		1991	U
8	BERENS, Addie	Catholic Memorial High School		1993	U

U17 Men's Foil

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Birth Yr	Class
1	MARCO, Linus	Cracovia Foil Fencing School	Q	1991	D07
2	SCHATZBERG, Simon	Cracovia Foil Fencing School	Q	1992	U
3	SHILAKIS, Alexander	Cracovia Foil Fencing School	Q	1993	U

U17 Men's Epee

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Auto.*	Birth Yr	Class	New Class
1	HELD, Karl	Wisconsin Fencing Academy, LLC	Q		1991	U

U17 Men's Sabre

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Auto.*	Birth Yr	Class	New Class
1	BEESON, Harrison	Caliburn Fencing Club	Q		1991	D07
2	GREENBERG, Ian	Culver Academies	Q		1991	U

U17 Women's Foil

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Auto.*	Birth Yr	Class	New Class
1	LEWIS, Catherine	Catholic Memorial High School	Q		1991	E07

U17 Women's Epee

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Auto.*	Birth Yr	Class	New Class
1	CAVANAUGH, Kate	Caliburn Fencing Club		A	1991	C07

U17 Women's Sabre

Place	Name	Club Representation	Qual.*	Birth Yr	Class
1	EBLI, Anna Maria	Notre Dame Academy	Q	1991	U
2	MESSERSCHMIDT, Sarah	Notre Dame Academy	Q	1991	U
3	CASEY, Lillian	Catholic Memorial High school	Q	1991	U
4	GANTZ, Gretchen	Notre Dame Academy		1991	U
5	BERENS, Addie	Catholic Memorial High school		1993	U