The 2016-2017 fencing season is now underway, and I’m very pleased with our fencer’s commitment to the early season tournaments. Several competitors from last season have jumped into the new season with gusto while at the same time several newer fencers have stepped up too.

The first tournament of the new season was a regional event held August 6th-7th in Columbia, Maryland. Conner, Maddie & Abel made the trek to compete in Y10, Y12 and Y14 foil, and Sophia fenced in Y14 women’s epee. Conner had the best results tied for 3rd in Y10 men’s foil, and Sophia made the podium finishing 6th.

On the next weekend, Mid-South Fencer’s Club in Durham hosted their annual “Big Blue” event. Jack competed in two events: foil and epee, and Andrew fenced epee. For a local event, epee was extremely strong with 27 competitors.

September 10-11, was another regional event, the Virgina Kick Off Open, featuring DIV 1A and DIV 2. Sam, Andrew, Doug, Abel and Daniel traveled to Fredericksburg to participate in this senior event. Andrew had a great day finishing 3rd out of 52 competitors in DIV 2 senior men’s epee. The energizer award must go to Sam. She fenced 4 events, DIV 1A & DIV 2 women’s foil and epee! In DIV 1A women’s foil she got on podium with a 6th place finish. In the final event of the tournament, DIV 2 women’s epee, Sam fought off all comers for a 1st place finish and “C” rating. Congratulations Sam!

On the same weekend, Andrew, Colson & Genetta competed in the NCFDP Tarheel Open at UNC Chapel Hill.

September 17th was the opening event for the Cape Fear Fencing Association in Wilmington. Jack, Aiden and Tammy fenced mixed foil. Jack brought home the silver and re-upped his “D” rating in foil for 2016. Aidan had a very good day too taking 7th and earning his “E” rating for foil! Congratulations Aidan. Kenan, Tammy & Colson competed in mixed epee with Kenan finishing 5th and upgrading his rating to a “D”. Well done Apex fencers!

September 17th also marked the opening event for All-American Fencing in Fayetteville. Doug, Abel and Seth made the trip to Coach Gerhard’s club for a morning of fencing. Abel and Doug met in the semi-finals with Abel beating his dad 15-11. Abel finished 2nd and his dad 3rd. This was Seth’s 1st traveling tournament!

Also on the 17th and 18th, there was a regional cadet and junior event in Annandale, VA. Sam, Sophia, Andrew, Daniel and Abel all fenced well. This was a very competitive regional event that drew fencers all along the east coast. Sophia and Sam fenced epee with Sam placing 5th in Junior women’s. Andrew faced a large field in Junior Men’s Epee and finished 7th out of 53! Sam also fenced foil along with Abel and Daniel.

This weekend, September 24th, several fencers traveled to Fayetteville for an All-American Fencing tournament. Caleb is back fencing with us and took 2nd place in senior mixed epee. Five of the fencers in Y12 mixed foil were from Apex. Connor finished in 1st place, Charlie in 2nd, and Maddie and Doc in 3rd. In the Y10 group we had three 1st time traveling fencers: Ella, Dylan and Mitchell! Mitchell brought home silver while Ella and Dylan tied for 3rd. These are some of our youngest fencers. Way to go guys! Stickers on Monday!

Finally, on Sunday the 12th, NCFDP and Coach Miller hosted a large senior mixed foil event at UNC. Jack and Daniel both fenced well beating higher seeded opponents to make it into the top 16.

This is a fantastic start to the season. We are extremely proud of our fencers for making the commitment to travel and compete. Also, thank you to the parents for shuttling your kids and offering rides when you can. Keep an eye on our Google Calendar and Google Group for upcoming tournaments and events.