This weekend I attended the Harry Rulnick Open Epee tournament in Fayetteville, NC, put on by All-American Fencing Academy.

When the alarm rings at 5 a.m. on tournament day, do you ever roll over and think, “I do not want to go and fence today.” I think I do every single time. In fact, this feeling frequently stays with me in the car on the way to the tournament and all the way until my pool starts. I’m grumpy, I’m nervous. I don’t really want to talk to anybody. It’s only when the fencing begins that my day starts to change…

Fencing well is intoxicating. Notice I didn’t say winning. I mean fencing well. Like when your opponent launches this complex attack and just when it looks like you have no hope of escaping, you land this beautiful hand shot out of nowhere and the onlookers just go, “Ooooo!” I know by talking to other athletes that this feeling isn’t limited to fencing. But I honestly don’t know of a better group of people to hang out with. I finished the tournament a respectable 5th out of 17, one place shy of renewing my rating but there’s plenty of time for that.

The tournament itself was well-run, started pretty much on time and finished by 1:30. Directing was highly professional. Their location, shared with a dance studio, fit three strips comfortably (they use four for practice) with a large area to the side for gear and seating. The industrial-era building though rustic, lacked air conditioning but it was comfortable enough in October with numerous fans blowing from the ceiling and floor. As with many downtown locations, parking could be an issue during the week but it was no problem on a Saturday and I didn’t get towed or ticketed from my “2-hour limit” parking lot. But the coolest part was the giant bag of swag that was given to the top 8 places. Top eight!!

All-American is rather unusual among fencing clubs in that it regularly has sponsors for its tournaments. For first through third places, winners received embossed dog tags in place of medals (in tribute to its military heritage). First and second place also got framed plaques commemorating the event, with an MRE to first place. I must say, it’s a refreshing change from the standby medals and trophies.

Unfortunately, my next tournament will have to wait until after the holidays. I’m mostly relegated to one fencing-related weekend per month due to family and other obligations. Next up is a weekend epee clinic, then a fencing demonstration. After those are out of the way, I need to reschedule my director’s exam. Perhaps I’ll have more time to think about actually fencing in 2009. How do other people with families stay competitive? No worries. In a couple of years my kid will either be fencing or tagging along! That is, unless I have to give up fencing for the soccer sidelines…LOL!

MDR

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