Lessons Learned, Reno Summer Nationals 2011

So I'm finally back from Reno, Nevada. It was a lot of fun, although there was nothing but desert all around the hotel. This year I competed in Juniors and Division 1A. The competition was fierce and unrelenting.

There ended up being a total of 186 fencers in the Junior event. I blasted my way through the pools after a shaky opening bout that I won in priority, 3-2. The confidence was flowing and the actions were swift. My lunges and fleches flowed with ease and my mental game was sharp.

With the assistance of my tournament personalized playlist and the support of Amanda Sirico of DCFC and my Hooked on Fencing teammates, I pounded out a 6-0 record in the pools with a plus 18 indicator (touches scored minus touches received). Everything was working pretty well and I was confident moving into the direct elimination round.

By the DEs my fencing was strong, but not up to the caliber it was at Junior Olympics where I finished second. The footwork was just not as crisp and the distance was shaky. I struggled to put away my opponents, even though I won by 4 or more points. The flow just wasn't energetic or agile. I had to rely on my counter attack much more often than I felt comfortable with.

After fighting my way through to double elimination I finally lost a close bout to Signe Furguson, 15-14. We had doubled all the way from 10-10 to 14 all! The bout was intense and nerves were high. As she pushed  and pressed me, I finally took the initiative and fleched in the 8 line, but I missed the blade take! I ran right into her counter attack and lost a hard fought bout 15-14.

After a long wait for my second chance DE, I regretfully was nervous and jumpy. I doubted my skills as a fencer and was scared to lose. I had come all this way just to fence like I had 3 years ago. My bout against Jennifer Horowitz was dismal. I would close the distance or allow my self to be pushed around the strip as a result of my timid fencing. I didn't fully commit to actions and lunged half-heartedly. After all my hard work I lost 15-9 in a bout that I will never forget.

A fencer can never be timid. If you compete scared you will in all likelihood fail. That is what happened to me. I forgot my training and my mental preparation. I had no "general"-mental prowess, to lead my "army"-skill set and ability. Without a general your army is worthless. You could have the best army in the world, but without a leader to command their movements, they are an unorganized mess. This is why I lost the bout and it is a lesson learned and will not be easily forgotten.

May this be a lesson to all you out there not to be afraid to risk it all. In competition the worst you can do is lose, but if you are afraid to lose and compete in that manner then your opponent has ALREADY WON.


   Courtney Dumas

Summer Nationals Approaches

It's that time of year again. Summer is here and everyone is preparing for the biggest event of the summer and start of the fencing season. This year's Summer Nationals are in Reno, Nevada from July 1-July10, although only certain events are considered National Championship events (Y14, Veteran 40-49, Veteran 50-59, Veteran 60-69, Veteran 70+, Division IA, Division II, Division III, and Senior Team). My main event on the other hand, U19 or Juniors women's epee, is considered a part of Nac July. Other events in Nac July are Y10, Y12, U16 (Cadet), U19 Team, and Veteran Team. (I am also competing in Division 1A).

This year the competition looks to be stronger than ever. The number of fencers competing at Summer Nationals and Nac July this year is huge! The U19 women's epee alone has 191 confirmed entries and the men's U19 epee has 248 entries. Even the Division events have large number, DV2 men's sabre-145, DV2 women's epee-125, and DV3 men's foil-125 for example. There will be 3,427 competitors in entirety participating at this event. 

This will be the largest Summer Nationals ever, but more impressively it will be the largest fencing tournament in the world. It will be a real tough test, but should be really fun! My club, Hooked on Fencing, will have 2 youths, numerous Juniors/Cadets, and Veteran fencers competing this year.

While the tournament begins July 1, I do not fly out to Reno until the 4th. My toughest event, U19 is Tuesday the 5th, and my Division 1A event is not until Thursday the 7th. This year I am venturing out to Summer Nationals on my own, which I am greatly looking forward to. It will be nice to have some new found independence!

I have trained vigorously for this tournament- lifting weights, running, biking, swimming, and of course fencing hard all in preparation for these two days of competition. The pure thrill and excitement that fill the air at these events give the atmosphere an electrically charged feeling. Your senses are sharper, steps lighter, eyes wider, and adrenaline pumping. I never want to leave, win or lose, I live for the thrill of competition and challenge of each and every opponent.

This year will definitely be a very long and arduous competition, but I am beyond excited to hop on that plain and get out there and fence. Hopefully my hard work will pay off!

-Courtney Dumas