Mendham High School Fencing

NJSIAA Individual Championships; Daylight Saving Time

The largest contingent in Mendham High School Fencing's seven-year history will compete at the NJSIAA Individual Championships on Sunday, March 13, at Montgomery High School, Skillman, NJ.  Further, we believe that the nine qualifiers from both genders to the Individual Championships is the largest number from any high school program in New Jersey.  

Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the Individual Championships.  There is no bus.

Girls' Epee	Kaitlyn Wallace
	Megan Wallace
	Shawn Osarczuk
Girls' Foil	Ryan Western
Girls' Sabre	Alexandra Boden
Boys' Foil	Julian Campos
	Kyle Doyle
	Adam Campos
Boys' Epee	Mark Zimmermann

Check-in for the point weapons is 9:00am EDT and for sabre, 10:30am EDT.  Don't forget to move your clocks forward to Daylight Saving Time before retiring on Saturday.  One loses an hour of sleep on Saturday night/Sunday morning. 

Cobra Junior Tournament

The Cobra Fencing Club is holding a Junior(under-20) tournament in all six events on Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6.  Both gender's foil events are on Saturday afternoon, while both epee and sabre events are on Sunday.

The tournament was specifically placed by the club on the NJ Division's schedule on the weekend before the NJSIAA State Individual Championships to provide a "practice" tournament for those individuals competing at the Championships.  Therefore, the coaching staff has designated the Cobra Junior Tournament one that Mendham High School fencers should be competing in.

Time of Boys' Match Set

The boys' state semi-final match against Columbia has been scheduled for a 7pm start.  The bus with the entire team will leave Mendham HS at 5pm on Wednesday, February 23.  The match will take place at New Jersey Fencing Alliance, which is at 52 Burnett Ave, Maplewood. 

Mendham Fencing's Next Weeks

Fri 18 Feb - Killer Practice, All 3-weapons

Sat 19 Feb - Open foil fencing at Morris FC, 10:00am - 12:30

Sun 20 Feb - BCAF Ironman Epee Open, Lambertville, NJ

Mon 21 Feb - 3-weapon practice, 2:00pm - 4

Tue 22 Feb - Girls Host Columbia, State Team Semi-Finals, 5:45pm reporting time for 7pm meet in the small gym

Wed 23 Feb - Boys Travel to NJ Fencing Alliance to fence Columbia, State Team Semi-Finals, Time to be determined

Thu 24 Feb - Sabre practice with guest coach Frank Kassimov, 4:00pm - 6

Fri 25 Feb - 3-weapon practice, games will be played

Sat 26 Feb - Girls Squad States, Bus leaves for North Hunterdon at 9:00am

Sun 27 Feb - Boys Squad States, Bus leaves for North Hunterdon at 9:00am

Mon 28 Feb - Foil and Sabre Practice, 5:00pm - 7

Tue 1 Mar - Last practice of season

Wed 2 Mar - Both teams compete for either 3rd at 4:30pm or Gold Medal at 7:30pm at Morris Hills High School, Details to be announced

Sat-Sun 5-6 Mar - Coaching Staff 'Designated' USFA Tournament - Cobra Junior

Sun 13 Mar - 4 boys, 5 girls compete in State Individuals at Montgomery HS

Historic Day for Mendham Fencing

Coverage of Mendham HS Fencing's historic day:

Star Ledger: Boys at Ramapo - Star Ledger: Girls hosting Holy Angels

Bergen Record: "Holy Angels Falls Short Against Mendham"

Boys Brackets - Girls Brackets

The Boys' Team fences in the semi-finals against Columbia High School, Maplewood, at New Jersey Fencing Alliance on Wednesday, February 23.  The Girls' Team is scheduled on Tuesday, February 22, to host Columbia High School.  In initial discussions with Columbia, we have learned they, too, have girls traveling on Tuesday afternoon from Dallas, but their coach will not be available on Wednesday.  So, it increasingly looks like we will be hosting on February 22, at 7:00pm in the small gym.  This is not yet official.    

Both teams will definitely be competing on Wednesday, March 2, at Morris Hills High School, fencing for either a state championship bronze medal at 4:30pm or the gold medal at 7:30pm.

Good luck to Kaitlyn Wallace, Alexandra Boden and Ryan Western at the USFA Junior Olympics this weekend in Dallas and Alexander Andriatis who will be competing at the BCAF Ironman Epee Open.

Teams' Dress Code and Boys' Line-Up

For the first time, the Mendham High School fencing program has gotten both teams into the 'Elite 8' of the NJSIAA State Team Championships.  The girls' and boys' teams will be dressing for the occasion to help promote the teams' accomplishments within the school community.  On Wednesday, February 16, ladies will be wearing either skirts or dresses. Gentlemen will be wearing collared shirts and ties, no jeans.  Those forgetting to dress will be singing the teapot song.   

Mendham High School Boys’ Fencers
Leaving School at 1:45pm on Wed 17 Feb 2011
for 'Elite 8’ State Championship Meet at Ramapo
Foil	Epee	Sabre
Kyle Doyle	Mark Zimmermann	Kyle Persau
Julian Campos	James Flanagan	Mark Zawadiwsky
Adam Campos	Lars Swanson	Gaston Gonzalez
Adam Pollack	Alexander Andriatis	Robin Rizal
Tommy Myers	Jairo Gonzalez-Ward	Joe Falvo
Joe Marrett	James McManus	Michael Hasson
	David Ricculli

We are going to definitely take the top five in each weapon and try to take all the fencers listed.

The girls' match will take place in Main Gym beginning at 6:30pm, 5:15pm reporting time.

There will be a foil and sabre practice on Monday, February 21, at 1pm-3pm.

Boys' State Meet Moved to Wednesday

The Mendham Boys' Fencing Team will be fencing Ramapo High School in the NJSIAA "Elite 8" round of the State Team Championships away on Wednesday, February 16, at 3:30pm.  The match will be double-stripped with referees Jeff Bukantz and Jon Seidel.  This will allow the concert participants on our boys' team to get back to Mendham High School in time for the concert that same evening.

The Mendham Girls' Team will be hosting the Academy of the Holy Angels that same evening, Wednesday, February 16, in the small gym at 6:30pm.  

This is the first season that the Mendham program has advanced both teams into the Elite 8 round of the NJSIAA State Team Championships. See the Boys Brackets and the Girls Brackets.

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Both teams, varsity and JV, will be fencing at Livingston on Monday afternoon, February 14, Valentine's Day in the make-up of previously snowed out, regular-season, non-conference meets.  The round-trip buses will leave Mendham HS at 3:15pm for meets that begin at 4:30pm.

Senior Night Hosting Chatham, Monday, February 7

Mendham Boys' Basketball played and won their first game in the county championship on Saturday.  Therefore, our Chatham home dual meets will take place as scheduled on Monday.  All fencers should report to the cafeteria at 4:45pm to move equipment to the main gym.

Seniors should look over the Senior Send-off brochure Coach Tishman e-mailed them.  Send changes to Mrs. Doyle.

In addition, Athletic Director Baglin will try to confirm Mendham at Livingston for Valentine's Day.

 

Valentine Day Dual Meets Added to Schedule

If the Morris County Championship boy's preliminary round basketball game scheduled for Mendham on Saturday evening is snowed out, it will be played on Monday evening, February 7.  Unfortunately, that would mean our Chatham home meets would be postponed until Monday, February 14, Valentine's Day.  

If the Chatham meets come off as scheduled on Monday, February 7, then we will make up our previously postponed Livingston away meets on Monday, February 14.  As of this writing, Mendham High School's Fencing Program will have dual meets, either home versus Chatham or away at Livingston on Valentine's Day.

The Mendham_HS_Fencing_Schedule_2010-11 is updated with the latest information including the Livingston meets and the State Team Championship dual meets thru the semifinals.

Either way the home Chatham meets are Senior Send-off, beginning at 5:45pm.  Recalcitrant senior Gaston Gonzalez must get his information into Mrs. Doyle immediately or be left off the program. 

 

Sabre Practice Thursday ON As Scheduled; Randolph Meets Rescheduled to Friday

The boys' and girls' varsity and JV dual meets hosting Randolph HS are rescheduled for Friday, February 4, at 6pm.  All fencers should report at 4:45pm to the cafeteria to move our equipment to the main gym.  Fencers should wear their navy blue Mark of Mendham polo shirts to school to publicize our home dual meets.

Sabre specific practice will be held as scheduled Thursday, February 3, from 4pm-6 in the high school cafeteria.

Some confusion has come up regarding being out of school for college visits and the ability to compete that day in interscholastic varsity competition.  Some people are confusing this situation with the rule that athletes who do not attend school for illness are not allowed to participate that same day.  However, those trying to get into college have no such restriction.  The reason for missing school is the important consideration, not the mere fact of missing school.

Recalcitrant seniors, get your information sheets for Senior Send-off on Monday, February 7, against Chatham to Mrs. Doyle, pronto.

 

Randolph Meets Postponed

The Randolph dual meets, scheduled for Wednesday, February 2, are postponed with the school closed for the inclement weather.

Athletic Director Baglin is trying to reschedule Randolph  for tomorrow Thursday evening, which would  be in the small gym, unfortunately.  Check back here for the latest information.

Tuesday Practice Cancelled; Randolph Meets; Presidents' Weekend Travel info

Foil and Sabre practice scheduled for Tuesday, February 1, is cancelled because of the freezing rain.

The reporting time for all members of both teams for the Randolph meets on Wednesday, February 2, is 4:45pm in the cafeteria. 

Fans, please come out to support your boys' team who will be in a huge battle with the Randolph boys for the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference regular season title.

Every varsity fencer who is traveling over the President's weekend must e-mail his or her flight info to Coach Tishman.  This will become important if we ask for postponements of State Championship dual meets because of this snowy winter.

Mendham Girls Seeded #2; Boys Seeded #11

The Mendham Girls' fencing team, seeded number #2, will host #15 Voorhees in a "Sweet 16" dual meet in the NSJIAA/Bollinger Fencing Team State Championship on Tuesday evening, February 8, at 6pm, in the small gym.

#11-seed Mendham boys will be traveling to #6 Montgomery for their first round match on Wednesday afternoon, February 9, for a 4:30pm start time.

Go to the NJIFA website's schedule page to see the complete state championship schedule, including Squad States and Individual States.  The Mendham fencing program will have a record nine fencers competing at the Individual State Championships on Saturday, March 12, at Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ.  

All varsity fencers must check their schedules immediately against the state championship dual meets, squad states and individual states schedules for potential conflicts.  All conflicts must be brought to the attention of the coaching staff immediately.  These conflicts include any jet travel over the Presidents' weekend holiday.  With the winter we are having, fencers might get caught away without being able to return for critical state championship dual meets. 

Training will continue for all squads until the Squads States on the last weekend in February.

Description of the NJSIAA District 1 Championships and Line-ups

Download the Description of the District 1 Championships(.doc)

There is no fleching and no calling time-outs.  The Districts are very similiar to the Morris County Championships, but with five additional schools, Bernards, Gill St. Bernards, Hackettstown, Ridge and Somerville, and two less, Butler and Chatham, who compete in different Districts. Another major difference is that there is a 5-3-1 promotion scheme for the A-B-C strips, respectively, to a larger finals pool.  And, of course, the last major difference is that all the events qualify either a 3-weapon team, a single-weapon squad or an individual to the appropriate NJSIAA State Championship.

Mendham Girls		Mendham Boys
Foil		Foil
Ryan Western		Kyle Doyle
Bea Jacobson		Adam Campos
Jessica Lakritz		Julian Campos
Annie Blanc		Adam Pollack
Emily Peters		Joe Marrett
Epee		Epee
Kaitlyn Wallace		Mark Zimmermann
Megan Wallace		James Flanagan
Shawn Osarczuk		Lars Swanson
Angela Flanagan		Alexander Andriatis
Lea Fuscaldo		Jairo Gonzalez-Ward
		James McManus
Sabre		Sabre
Alexandra Boden		Kyle Persau
Natasha Sidhu		Joseph Falvo
Meredith Gano		Mark Zawadiwsky
Jennifer Beede		Gaston Gonzalez
		Robin Rizal

Fencers are not necessarily in the A-B-C-S order that will be used on the day of the competition.

 

Mendham HS Fencing's Next Two Weeks

Date	Event	Report Time
Mon, Jan 24	Foil, Sabre Practice in Cafeteria	5pm - 7
Tue, Jan 25	Dual Meets at Morristown	4:45pm Bus
Wed, Jan 26	Epee, Foil Practice in Cafeteria	5pm - 7
Thu, Jan 27	Sabre Practice in Cafeteria 8th Grade Orientation	4pm - 6 8pm
Fri, Jan 28	3 Weapon Practice w/ Peak Perf	5pm - 7
Sat, Jan 29	Pizza Party@A Flanagan's Home	6pm
Sun, Jan 30	District Championships for Varsity	7:15am
Mon, Jan 31	Foil, Sabre Practice in Cafeteria	5pm-7
Tue, Feb 1	Epee, Sabre Practice in Cafeteria	5pm-7
Wed, Feb 2	Hosting Randolph in Big Gym	5:00pm set-up
Thu, Feb 3	Sabre Practice in Cafeteria	4pm-6
Fri, Feb 4	3-Weapons w/Peak Perf	5pm-7pm
Sat, Feb 5	Practice at Morris FC          E@1  S@3   F@5
Sun, Feb 6	No practice
Mon, Feb 7	Chatham Home w/ Senior Send-off	4:30pm

Friday's and Saturday's Schedule

Practice will held in the high school's cafeteria from 5pm-6:45 to accomodate getting over to Chester for the demonstration.  Varsity fencers should assume the building will be closed Saturday morning and take all their equipment home with them.  Fencers are responsible for their own transport to and from the fencing demonstration and the pizza party.

The fencing demonstration is still on for 7pm at the new Field House in Grove Street Park, Chester, with entry off of Seminary Avenue. Afterwards, all fencers can munch on pizza, courtesy of the MHSFPA,  from 8pm at New York Pizza, Main Street in Chester.

Below are the varsity squads for the Morris County Championships.  The squads are NOT necessarily in the A-B-C-S order in which fencers will compete.  All varsity fencers will travel roundtrip on the bus.  The bus leaves Mendham HS at 7:30am and will return at approximately 4pm.

Mendham Girls		Mendham Boys
Foil		Foil
Ryan Western		Adam Campos
Bea Jacobson		Julian Campos
Jessica Lakritz		Adam Pollack
Annie Blanc		Tommy Myers
Emily Peters
Epee		Epee
Kaitlyn Wallace		Mark Zimmermann
Megan Wallace		James Flanagan
Shawn Osarczuk		Lars Swanson
Angela Flanagan		Alexander Andriatis
Lea Fuscaldo		Jairo Gonzalez-Ward
Sabre		Sabre
Alexandra Boden		Kyle Persau
Natasha Sidhu		Joseph Falvo
Meredith Gano		Gaston Gonzalez
Jennifer Beede		Mark Zawadiwsky

Mendham Fencing's Next Few Days

Wed 19 Jan - All fencers - Buses to WM Central Leave Mendham at 5:30pm

Thu 20 Jan - All fencers - Set -up Small Gym for Butler 5:00pm

Fri 21 Jan - All fencers - Practice in cafeteria, 5:00-7:00pm
7:00pm Boys Scouts Demo in Chester
Pizza Party

Sat 22 Jan - Varsity bus to Morris Co. Champs 7:30am; Returns at 4:30pm

Livingston Matches Snowed Out; Schedule Updated

The Mendham High School varsity and jv boys' and girls' fencing meets at Livingston High School, scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, January 12, are not being held because both schools are closed for a snow day.

If the meets are rescheduled, there will be an announcement here.  Do not rely on the highschoolsports.net website for information regarding the Mendham High School Fencing schedule.  The Athletic Department does not keep that website accurate on an up-to-the-minute basis.

The season schedule, which is at the top of the left-hand column of this blog, is updated with the correct information.

Season Schedule Updated; Relay Championships Description

Note that the season schedule at the top of the left-hand column of the Mendham HS Fencing weblog is updated with the postponement of the Santelli Girls' Relays and the change in venue and earlier time of the Columbia dual meets.

To learn more about the format of the NJIFA Relay Championships, click here.

Girls Santelli Relays Postponed; Friday Practice Cancelled

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Boys' Varsity Line-up for Cetrulos

Morris Knolls High School, in conjunction with the New Jersey Interscholastic Fencing Association, postponed the NJIFA Santelli Girls' Relay Championships until Sunday, January 16.

The NJIFA Cetrulo Boys' Relay Championships on Sunday, January 9, are unaffected.  The boys varsity bus will leave at 7:15am from in front of the high school.  The return bus will leave Voorhees at 6:00pm.  All varsity fencers should plan on attending all day and returning on the bus. 

Boys Varsity for the Cetrulo Relays:

Sabre: Persau, Falvo, Zawadiwsky, Gonzalez

Epee: Zimmerman, Flanagan, Swanson, Andriatis

Foil: ACampos, Doyle, JCampos, Pollack

All male varsity fencers should take their equipment home tonight Friday.  Assume you will not have access to the school over the weekend.

Practice for Friday, January 7, is cancelled.  We are trying to postpone, not cancel, the pizza party until next Friday.  Stay tuned.

Mendham HS Fencing's Next Two Weeks

Mendham HS Fencing's Schedule for the Next Two Weeks

Monday, January 3, Sabre and Foil practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm, physical trainer for the 1st hour

Tuesday, January 4, Sabre and epee practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm, Epee works with physical trainer for 1st hour.

Wednesday, January 5, Foil and epee practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm

Thursday, January 6, Host Hackettstown Varsity and JV Meets in Big Gym, 6:00pm. Set-up at 5:00pm.

Friday, January 7, Practice, 5pm-7pm, Pizza Party in Cafeteria, 7pm to 7:30pm

Saturday, January 8, Girls Varsity at Santelli Relays, Small Bus, 7:30am to Morris Knolls, Return bus leaves Morris Knolls at approximately 6:00pm

Sunday, January 9, Boys Varsity at Cetrulo Relays, Small Bus, 7:15am to Voorhees, return bus leaves Voorhees at approximately 6:00pm

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Monday, January 10, Host Morris Knolls in Varsity and JV Dual Meets in Small Gym, 6pm, set-up 5pm.

Tuesday, January 11, Epee and sabre practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm

Wednesday, January 12, Away Varsity and JV Meets at Livingston High School, One Large and One Small Bus Leave at 3:15pm – leave Livingston at 7:00pm for return trip

Thursday, January 13, Sabre practice in cafeteria at 4pm-6pm

Friday, January 14, Practice, 5pm-7pm

Saturday, January 15, Home meets in Big Gym hosting Columbia HS, 10:00am, set-up at 9:00am **Changed from Original Schedule**

Sidhu Repeats as Sabre Champion

Undefeated Swanson Takes Gold in Epee

Rockaway, NJ, Thursday, December 30, 2010 - Mendham High School's fencing program sent 21 athletes to the 5th annual Morris Knolls Freshman-Sophomore Invitational Tournament.  Thirteen schools from Morris County and surrounding counties participate in the all-day tournament, which saw a total of 230 competitors.  Two gold medal-winning performances were scored by varsity starters from the high school: Natasha Sidhu, repeated her gold medal performance from last season's freshman women's sabre, and Lars Swanson bettered his 4th place finish in last year's freshman event, by going undefeated all day.  In the finals, Swanson beat the fencer to whom he lost in last season's bronze medal bout. 

Other standout performances included Julian Campos, silver medalist in freshman boys' foil, Kyle Persau, bronze, in sophomore boys' sabre and Sarah Redick, bronze in freshman girls' epee.  Persau was able to win one of three bouts in the semi-finals against USFA C-rated Jason Cai, who was the eventual champion.

Freshman Results - Sophomore Results

For many of the freshmen below, this was their first taste of an individual fencing tournament.  This tournament is considered an integral part of the Mendham fencing program by its coaching staff.

Boys			Girls
	Sophomore
Foil
Joe Marrett	7/22		Annie Blanc	18/25
Dmitri Bleifer	16/22
Chris Buckler	20/22
Epee
Lars Swanson	1/23		Angela Flanagan	5/16
Jairo Gonzalez-Ward	19/23
Dan McDonald	21/23
Sabre
Kyle Persau	3/20		Natashu Sidhu	1/12 *
Joe Falvo	9/20
Michael Hasson	16/20		* repeat champion
	Freshman
Foil
Julian Campos	2/28		Emily Peters	7/24
Danny Hoogerhyde	17/28
Epee
Anthony Bello	4/14		Sarah Redick	3/21
Peter Sauter	7/14		Leah Hoogerhyde	6/21
Brad Fortunato	12/14		Jennifer Beede	17/21
Sabre
			Meredith Gano	4/12

Mendham Boys Fencing Sweeps Holiday Quad

Girls Absorb 1st Loss of Season to Governor Livingston

Berkeley Heights, NJ, Tuesday, December 28 - Lead by Mark Zimmermann in epee and Julian Campos in foil, Mendham High School Boys' Fencing Team swept the Governor Livingston Holiday Quadrangular Meet held at the Columbia Middle School here today.  Mendham beat Governor Livingston and Ramapo, both ranked in the NJ top-10 by the Star Ledger and by the NJIFA, by identical scores of 15-12.   

Zimmermann, a junior and squad leader, went 3-0 in all three meets for a 9-0 record on the day.  Freshman Julian Campos was 7-0 on the day before being lifted for a substiute in the last of the three meets, which was a big win over Hackettstown, 23-4.  The boys' record is 6-1, having only lost to West-Windsor Plainsboro North in the first dual meet of the season. 

The girls' team, which was once again only at two-thirds strength because of holiday vacation plans by some team members, could not overcome the lack of the missing starters against the 8-0 Highlanders from Governor Livingston, losing at the clinching score of 14-8.  Mendham's girls bounced back from their first loss of the season with big wins over Lakeland and Hackettstown.  The season won-loss record for Mendham's girls is 6-1.   

Mendham Fencing's Next Two Weeks

Monday, December 27, Practice cancelled

Tuesday, December 28, Varsity Quad Meets at Columbia Middle School, Berkeley Heights, Round-Trip Bus Leaves Mendham HS at 9:15am; Returns approximately 4pm.

Wednesday, December 29, Foil & epee practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm

Thursday, December 30, Morris Knolls Frosh-Soph Tourney, One Large, One-Way Bus leaves Mendham HS at 7:30am. No return trip.

Friday, December 31, No Practice

Saturday, January 1, No Practice

Sunday, January 2, Practice at Morris FC: Foil, 12noon; Sabre, 2pm; Epee, 4pm.

_______________________________ 

Monday, January 3, Sabre and Foil practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm

Tuesday, January 4, Sabre and epee practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm

Wednesday, January 5, Foil and epee practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm

Thursday, January 6, Host Hackettstown Varsity and JV Meets in Big Gym, 6:00pm. Set-up at 5:00pm.

Friday, January 7, Practice, 5pm-7pm, Pizza Party in Cafeteria, 7pm to 7:30pm

Saturday, January 8, Girls Varsity at Santelli Relays, Small Bus, 7:30am to Morris Knolls, Return bus leaves Morris Knolls at approximately 6:00pm

Sunday, January 9, Boys Varsity at Cetrulo Relays, Small Bus, 7:15am to Voorhees, return bus leaves Voorhees at approximately 6:00pm

Monday, January 10, Host Morris Knolls in Varsity and JV Dual Meets in Small Gym, 6pm, set-up 5pm.

Monday's Practice Cancelled

Practice on Monday, December 27, is cancelled.

The varsity bus leaves for the quad meet at 9:15am on Tuesday, December 28.   See the previous posting for the line-ups traveling to Governor Livingston. 

Quad Meet Line-ups

The line-ups for the holiday quad at Governor Livingston is posted here. Download the line-ups. The bus will leave Mendham High School at 9:15am.

If your name is on the list below and you cannot make it, use this attendance link ASAP.

	Boys			Girls
Epee	Zimmermann		Epee	Oscarzuk
	J Flanagan			A Flanagan
	Swanson			Hoogerhyde
	Gonzalez-Ward			Redick
				Beede
Foil	Doyle		Foil	Western
	A Campos			Jacobson
	J Campos			Peters
	Pollack
Sabre	Persau		Sabre	Boden
	Falvo			Sidhu
	Gonzalez			Donato
	Zawadiwsky			Gano

Schedule of Holiday Quad Meet

Please, download the letter from Coach Paragano of Governor Livingston, which includes the schedule of dual meets at the Highlanders' Holiday Quad Meet on Tuesday, December 28.

Bus for varsity leaves at 9:15am for meets that begin at 10:30am.

Unlike the Somerville Quad, which is fenced college-style with all three weapons competed simulataneously, the Highlander Holiday Quad is three high school-style dual meets back-to-back.

All fencers are required to return on the bus, which will be approximately 4:30pm.

Mendham Fencing's Next Two Weeks

• Monday, December 20, F&S Practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm
• Tuesday, December 21, S&E Practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm
• Wednesday, December 22, Varsity and JV Away Meets @ Morris Hills, Buses Leave Mendham HS at 5:15pm, returning at 8:30pm
• Thursday, December 23, Sabre Practice in cafeteria, 4pm-6pm
• Friday, December 24, Christmas Eve, No Practice
• Saturday, December 25, Christmas, No Practice
• Sunday, December 26, Boxing Day, No Practice, Foil & Epee Opens at Gutkovskiy FA and Sabre Open at Bergen FC

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• Monday, December 27, F&S Practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm
• Tuesday, December 28, Varsity Quad Meets at Columbia Middle School, Berkeley Heights, One Round-Trip Bus Leaves Mendham HS at 9:15am; Returns approximately 4pm.
• Wednesday, December 29, F&E Practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm
• Thursday, December 30, Morris Knolls Freshman-Sophomore Tournament, One-way bus leaves Mendham HS at 7:30am, No Return Trip.
• Friday, December 31, New Year's Eve, No practice
• Saturday, January 1, New Year's Day, No Practice, Sabre Open at Medeo FC
• Sunday, January 2, Weapon-specific practice at Morris FC, Foil Open at Clinton FC, Epee Open at Bergen FC

Morris Hills Dual Meets Are Away

The varsity and junior varsity dual meets versus Morris Hills on Wednesday, December 22, are away meets, beginning at 6:30pm. Sorry for the late notice of the change. The Athletic Directors' office had it as a home meet on the original schedule provided to the coaching staff, but it never informed them when it was brought to the AD's attention in September.

Somerville Quad Schedule

On Saturday, December 18, 2010, the Mendham High School Varsity Boys' and Girls' Fencing Teams will compete against the varsity teams of Moorestown, Teaneck and Somerville in the 2010-11 season opening quadrangular meet.  The meet will be fenced college style on six strips.  College style means that all three weapons of a particular meet are competed simultaneously.  The meets listed below are the same for boys and girls, which will be fenced concurrently.  The named starters will each fence 8 bouts on the day.  The 4th will be substituted into each dual meet for a different starter.  Thus the 4th fencer will get three bouts on the day.

Bus leaves Mendham HS at 8:45am

Moorestown vs. Mendham 10:00am

Mendham vs. Teaneck 11:00am

Lunch break, supplied by MHS Fencing Parents' Association

Mendham vs. Somerville 2:30pm

Bus leaves Somerville to come home at 3:30pm.  The bus will take longer than usual to arrive back at Mendham HS because it will not go home past the Bridgewater Mall to avoid the holiday shopping traffic.  All fencers must make the round-trip on the bus.  There will be no exceptions to this policy. 

Mendham HS Fencing's Next Two Weeks

Monday, December 13, F&S Practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm
Tuesday, December 14, E&S Practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm
Wednesday, December 15, F&E Practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm
Thursday, December 16, Sabre Practice in cafeteria, 4pm-6pm
Friday, December 17, All-Weapon Practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm; Pizza Party, 7:15-8:00pm
Saturday, December 18, Somerville Varsity Quad Meet, Bus Leaves 8:45am, Returns ~3:00pm
Sunday, December 19, No Practice at School (Junior Varsity Practice at Morris Fencing Club)

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Monday, December 20, F&S Practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm
Tuesday, December 21, E&S Practice in cafeteria, 5pm-7pm
Wednesday, December 22, Varsity & JV Home Meets in Big Gym hosting Morris Hills, 6pm; Set up beginning 5pm
Thursday, December 23, Sabre Practice in cafeteria, 4pm-6pm
Friday, December 24, Christmas Eve, No Practice
Saturday, December 25, Christmas, No Practice
Sunday, December 26, No Practice

Morris Knolls Freshman-Sophomore Invitational Tournament

All freshmen and sophomores are expected to compete in the expanded, fifth annual Morris Knolls Freshman / Sophomore Invitational Tournament.  The tournament has been expanded to twelve schools with the addition of Chatham.  The tournament is on Thursday, December 30.  Any eligible fencer not competing must inform the coaching staff thru the Attendance E-mail link at the top of the weblog why they are not competing.  All upperclassmen will be refereeing, strip coaching or setting up strips. The freshman-sophomore bus will leave at 7:00am.

Fencers must register themselves for the tournament on FRED.  There is no cost.  Use one of the four links below to register for the tournament:

Choose the correct way for you to register based on your circumstances.

Freshmen new to FRED ------- Freshmen already in FRED

Sophomores new to FRED ----- Sophomores already in FRED

Designated Tournament: DO'C HS Championships

The Denise O'Connor High School Championships, held next weekend on December 11 and 12, are a Mendham High School Fencing designated tournament.  The term designated means the coaching staff expects all varsity fencers, as well as those who aspire to be varsity, to enter and compete in the Championships.

Register and pay here - Registration List - More Information

The regular entry fee period ends Tuesday, December 7.  Entry fees more than double after December 7 for online or walk-in registration.

Mendham boys registered: 16; Epee 6, Foil 5, Sabre 5

Mendham girls registered: 8; Epee 3, Foil 3, Sabre 2

Mendham fencers have qualified for an $80 reduction in entry fees because of the total number who have registered from our program under a policy instituted by the New Jersey Division of the USFA.  See the FRED more information page.  When we get up to 30 fencers from the current 24, you will earn another discount.

Calendar Updated

<<< Download the updated schedule to the left on the Mendham HS Fencing weblog.

The locations of the early season relay championships, the starting time for the Columbia home meets, and the date change of Randolph home meets are now reflected on the tournament and dual meet schedule. 

Junior Olympic Qualification Tournaments

The New Jersey Division of the US Fencing Association will hold Junior Olympic Qualification Tournaments on November 27 and 28.  Even if you have no intention of competing at the JO's, Coach Tishman expects ALL varsity fencers, including those who are automatic qualifiers, to compete in these tournaments.

Cadet(Under 17) and Junior(Under 20)

The end of the regular entry fee period is Friday, November 19.  Register and pay now.

Denise O'Connor High School Championships

Coach Tishman expects all varsity fencers to compete in the following USFA tournament:

More Information and Registration Link 

 

 

Update to Schedule; Early Season USFA Events

The Mendham HS Fencing dual meet and tournament schedule has been updated as of October 21, with the addition of the Columbia home meets at Hilltop School on Saturday, January 15, and the correction of the Morristown dual meets dates to January 24.

Please note the USFA's New Jersey Division will be running the Under-17 Qualifier on Saturday, November 27, the Under-20 Qualifier on Sunday, November 28, and the Denise O'Connor High School Championships on December 11-12.  The coaching staff expects the varsity and experienced junior varsity fencers to compete in all three of the events, depending on age limitations.

The national USFA now allows fencers to join for a single day for $10 per day instead of spending $60 for the August to July season.  See the USFA membership page. 

Mendham High School Fencing 2010-11 Preliminary Schedule Posted

The Mendham High School Fencing Program's schedule is now available behind the "Regular Season Schedule of Quads, Duals and Tourneys" link on the Mendham HS Fencing weblog under the Schedules & Calendar section at the top of the left-hand column.

The schedule is preliminary.  Please, be guaranteed that the schedule will change.  Check back on the Mendham HS Fencing weblog frequently for updates.

Practice begins the day after Thanksgiving.  All fencers are required to be available over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and between Christmas and New Year's for the freshman-sophomore individual tournament or the varsity quadrangular meet and practices.  Fencers and parents, mark your calendars now.  Family vacations or ski trips are not excuses for an absence during the Thanksgiving or Christmas breaks from school. 

Busy Weekend for Mendham HS Fencers and Coaches

Saturday, March 6, Mendham - This weekend is very busy for fencers and coaches of Mendham High School's fencing program. The boys' foil squad competes today in the NJSIAA/Bollinger State Squad Championships at North Hunterdon High School. Four epee fencers and a coach are competing tomorrow at the Last Days of Winter Epee Open, a USFA tournament in Bridgewater. Two girl foilists are competing at the USFA's Atlantic Foil Open in Tinton Falls on Sunday, along with one of the members from next year's boys' foil squad and a coach.

The boys' foil squad consists of Kyle Doyle, Adam Campos, Adam Pollack and Tom Myers.  The epeeists competing in Bridgewater are Kim Morsch, Megan Wallace, Joe Falvo, James Flanagan and Coach Tishman.  The foilists competing in Tinton Falls are Bea Jacobson, Ryan Western, Julian Campos and Coach Campos.

In addition, six members of the boys' and girls' teams and one coach are taking the seminar and written tests tomorrow in Freehold to become USFA-rated fencing referees. The Mendham HS Fencing Parents' Association will reimburse any fencer or coach who takes the tests to become a registered fencing referee. The referees-to-be include Alex Boden, Lizzie Donato, Kyle Doyle, Tom Myers, Kyle Persau and Mark Zimmermann.  Coach Persau is joining them.  Once the general test and a weapon-specific tests are passed, the referees-to-be then need to be observed by a referee from the Fencing Officals Commission to be registered to earn big dollars as a referee for USFA events.

Designated Tournament: Last Days of Winter Epee Open

The first in a series of designated USFA tournamants is on the schedule this Sunday, March 7, at nearby Medeo FC, Bridgewater. The coaching staff will designate tournaments that should be seriously considered by those interested in varsity spots next season. 

On the women's side, it will be one of strongest epee tournaments in NJ all year. All Mendham HS epee fencers, boys and girls, should compete in these events. Register on FRED now to save money. Click for More Info. This will be the last time Coaches Tishman and Wallace can strip coach you before the high school season ends. 

Absolute Fencing Gear, which is right around the corner from Medeo, will be open on Sunday.

Foil Only Practice Wednesday

Coach Tishman would like to run a foil only practice for boys and girls on Wednesday evening, March 3, from 5pm-7.  Please contact Coach T to let him know your availability.

The start time of Boys' Squad States on Saturday, March 6, has been pushed back.  The round-trip bus leaves at 11:00am. Check-in closes at 12:00 noon, coaches' meeting at 12:15, fencing begins at 12:30.  The girls finished at 4:30, so figure on finishing at 6:30pm.

There is no bus to the NJSIAA State Individual Championships.  All 6 competing fencers must make their own way to Rider University, Lawrenceville for the 9:00am check-in on Saturday, March 13.  The venue is the Rider Student Recreational Center.

Bus departs 9 a.m. on Sunday for Girls Squad States

The bus for girls' squad states will depart on Sunday morning, Feb. 28, at 9 am. It will be a round-trip bus.

Where to Find Squad States Postponement Info

If weather postpones the NJSIAA/ Bollinger Boys’ Squad State Championships, the notice will be posted on the North Hunterdon HS homepage and on the NJSIAA homepage.  NHHS Coach John Reid, site manager of the Championships, tells us the decision will be made by Friday at 8:00pm.  If there is no announcement, the Boys’ Championships are on.

WM Central Meets on Monday, February 22

The oft-postponed West Morris Central dual meets are now re-scheduled for Monday, February 22, 5:45pm.  This is when the Senior Send-off ceremony will begin.  All fans should initially sit in the stands where the girls varsity meet is. 

All fencers report no later than 4:45pm to prepare the main gym. 

Mendham Girls at Northern Highlands

Northern Highlands Girls beat Ramapo Tuesday evening.  Therefore, Mendham's next opponent will be #4 seed, Northern Highlands away in the 'Elite 8' round of the NJSIAA / Bollinger State Team Championships. The meet is on Thursday, February 18, beginning at 4:30.  Girls will be excused from class at 2:15 to be on the bus for a 2:30 departure.  We need to be on time to beat the bus rush hour at the end of the school day.

Fencers, make sure to bring food to eat on the bus.

Mendham Friday Evening Sabre

The Mendham Fencing Club is holding a USFA sabre tournament this Friday evening. 

All Mendham HS sabre fencers should contact Coach Tishman to register.

Revised Schedule for Next 12 Days

Wed, Feb 10, Girls Host Sweet 16 Meet, Postponed
Wed, Feb 10, No Practice, School Closed
Thu, Feb 11, No Practice
Fri, Feb 12, Practice 5pm-7
Sat, Feb 13, Morris FC, Epee 12:30, Foil 2:30, Sabre 4:30
Sun, Feb 14, No Practice, Valentine's Day
Mon, Feb 15, Practice 9am-11am, Cafeteria
Tue, Feb 16, Girls' State Meet at home, 6pm, Report 4:30pm
Wed, Feb 17, Practice 5pm-7
Thu, Feb 18, Possible Girls "Elite 8" Dual Meet, Probably Away
Fri, Feb 19, Practice 5pm-7
Sat, Feb 20, Morris FC, Sabre 12:30, Epee 2:30, Foil 4:30
Sun, Feb 21, No Practice

Add This To Your Calendar

The Mendham High School Girls' Varsity Fencing Team, 5^th seeded, will host Hunterdon Central, 12^th-seeded, in the "Sweet 16" round of the NJSIAA/Bollinger State Girls' Team Fencing Championships in the Mendham High School main gym at 6:00pm on Wednesday, February 10, 2010.

Weekend Fencing Meets

The Livingston home meets begin at 6:00pm Friday, February 5. All fencers should report to the big gymnasium at 4:30dressed in their whites for team yearbook pictures. The girls' epee squad is responsible for taping the four strips with painter's tape in the gym. The boys' sabre squad is responsible for tranporting and setting up all electrical scoring equipment and team weapon bags.
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The West Morris Central home meets on Saturday, February 6, will begin at 11:45am with the "Senior Send-off." Fencers must report to the cafeteria at 10:30am. The girls' foil squad is responsible for taping four strips and the boys' epee squad is responsible for transporting and setting up electrical scoring equipment and weapon bags.
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Should either meet be snowed out, this blog will be the first place to look for postponement information.
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The Randolph away meets on Monday, February 8, begin at 6:00pm. The buses depart at 5:00pm. This or a rescheduled WM Central will be the last boys' dual meet of the season.

Fencing's Next Two Weeks

Here is the next two weeks of the Mendham HS Fencing Program:

Mon Feb 1, V/JV Meets at Morristown, Bus 5:30pm, Meets 6:30pm
Tue Feb 2, Practice, 5pm-7
Wed Feb 3, Practice, 5pm-7
Thu Feb 4, No Practice
Fri Feb 5, V/JV Meets, Hosting Livingston, Report 4:30pm, Meets 6:00pm
Sat Feb 6, V/JV Meets, Hosting WMC, Report 10:30am, "Senior Send Off" 11:45 
Sun Feb 7, No practice, meets or tournaments
Mon Feb 8, V/JV Meets at Randolph, Bus 5:00pm, Meets 6:00pm
Tue Feb 9, Practice 5pm-7 
Wed Feb 10, Girls Host Sweet 16 Dual Meet, Time TBA
Thu Feb 11, No practice
Fri Feb 12, Practice, 5pm-7
Sat Feb 13, Morris FC, Epee 12:30, Foil 2:30, Sabre 4:30
Sun Feb 14, No practice, meets or tournaments