Mendham High School Fencing

Mendham Fencers Named All-State by Coaches' Association

Saturday, March 19, Martinsville, NJ - The New Jersey high school fencing coaches' association, the NJIFA, met at the Pingry School to vote on and announce their All-State teams for 2011.  Fencers earn All-State points in the four major events during the season, the NJIFA Relays, the NJSIAA District Championships, the NJSIAA Squad State Championships and NJSIAA Individual Championships. Fencers from the Mendham High School program earned five spots, the most in its seven-year history, on the All-State Teams:

Ryan Western, NJIFA 1st Team All-State Girls' Foil

Alex Boden, NJIFA 1st Team All-State Girls' Sabre

Mark Zimmermann, NJIFA 2nd Team All-State Boys' Epee

Kaitlyn Wallace, NJIFA 3rd Team All-State Girls' Epee

Julian Campos, NJIFA 3rd Team All-State Boys' Foil

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

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.

Weapon-Specific Training at Morris FC Valentine's Weekend

Mendham High School's fencing program will be practicing on Saturday, February 12, at Morris Fencing Club, Randolph.

For the foil fencers, there is open bouting from 10am until 12:30pm.

Foil group lesson at 1:00pm

Epee group lesson at 2:30pm

Sabre group lesson at 4:00pm

The group lessons are paid for by the Mendham High School Fencing Parents' Association, which is an IRC 501(c) non-profit organization.

 

Morris FC Weapon-Specific Training

Mendham High School's fencing program will be practicing on Saturday, February 5, at Morris Fencing Club, Randolph.

For the foil fencers, there is free fencing from 10am until 12:30pm.  That might be more valuable than the foil session at 4:00pm.

Epee at 1pm

Sabre at 2:30pm

Foil at 4:00pm

These group lessons are paid for by the Mendham High School Fencing Parents' Association, which is an IRC 501(c) non-profit organization.

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.

 

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.

Sabre Practice Thursday ON As Scheduled, but in Randolph

The Mendham High School sabre practice on Thursday, January 27, with guest coach Frank Kassimov, will be held as scheduled from 4pm-6. 

Practice will be held at Morris Fencing Club, 5 Aspen Drive, Randolph.

If anybody needs a ride, please contact Mr. Tishman immediately.

Wednesday Practice Cancelled

Practice scheduled for Wednesday afterrnoon, January 26, is cancelled.  The building is being shut down because of the early dismissal.

All fencers should use this opportunity to wash their whites and stretch out at home this evening while watching TV. 

Some of our epeeists will be traveling to Atlantic Fencing Club for a mid-week open tournament.  Bonne chance!

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

Tuesday Practice Cancelled for Weather

Practice on Tuesday, January 18, is cancelled because of inclement weather.

No Practice on MLK Day

With the school being shuttered at 3pm on MLK Day, there will be no practice on Monday, January 17.

Girls Santelli Relays Postponed; Friday Practice Cancelled

______________________________

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

___________________

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**

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

Weapon-specific Training at Morris FC

Weapon-specific practices will be held on Sunday, January 2, 2011, at Morris Fencing Club. 

• Foil 12 noon

• Sabre 2 pm

• Epee 4 pm

Squad leaders will start the sessions with warm-ups and Morris FC's coaches will lead them thru the last hour and a half of training.

Attendance will be taken.  Use the attendance link at the top of this weblog for legitimate excuses only.   Homework, parties and other social events will not be considered legitimate excuses.

Sabre Practice Cancelled

Sabre practice on Thursday, December 23, is cancelled.

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

____________________________________ 

• 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

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)

__________________

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

By Weapon Training at Morris Fencing Club

The first weekend training sessions by weapon at Morris FC are this Saturday, December 4, as follows:

2:00 Epee ----- 4:00 Foil ------ 6:00 Saber

These are regular training sessions for the Mendham High School Fencing program.  Attendance will be taken. 

Physical Training Liability Waiver and Info Sheet

The coaching staff of the Mendham High School Fencing program has unanimously chosen Peak Performance to lead us in physical training during the first part Friday's practices.  The training is being provided to all fencers by the Mendham HS Fencing Parents' Association. 

All fencers' parents must sign a liability waiver and return it to Alexandra Boden in school or Judith Kern, Alex's mom, along with an information sheet.

First Practice

Happy Thanksgiving to the Mendham HS Fencing community!

Fencers in the final paperwork status file(.xls) who have been  bolded and highlighted in green should attend practice on Friday, November 26, in the high school cafeteria.  Practice begins at 2:00pm sharp. Those who didn't get their all paperwork in on time will not be part of the program this season. We are 33 boys and 17 girls.

If a fencer cannot make practice, it is his or her responsibility to click on the attendance e-mail link at the top of this weblog to let the coaches know you cannot make it. This is a fencer, not parent, responsibility.

Do not bring any of your fencing equipment.  Dress in gym clothes.  Do bring a water bottle, sweatclothes for running outside and your fencing shoes for footwork.  You'll be jumping rope, running, stretching and doing footwork.  All experienced fencers should have in mind one drill the entire group can do.

Status of Paperwork thru November 9

Assistant Boys' Captain Kyle Doyle, Epeeists David Ricculli, Lea Fuscaldo, Sabre Squad Leader Alexandra Boden and Sabreusse Natasha Sidhu have submitted their six required documents to compete for the Mendham HS Fencing program this season.

Have you?  Download the file of Paperwork Status thru November 9(.xls)  

All paperwork must be submitted and approved by Wednesday, November 24, the day before Thanksigiving.  No exceptions.

The first day of practice is the day after Thanksgiving at 2pm.

Third Annual Captains Party Held

Randolph, Saturday, September 11 - Following tradition, Girls' Team Captain Ryan Western and Assistant Captain Bea Jacobson and Boys' Team Captain James Flanagan and Assistant Captain Kyle Doyle hosted the third annual Captains' Party at Morris Fencing Club/American Fencing Coalition in Randolph.  The girls' and boys' teams gather at the beginning of the new school year to share summer camp experiences with each other and welcome the incoming freshmen to Mendham High School.  Here's a group picture.

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. 

Your Between Seasons Plans

The coaching staff of Mendham HS would like all new and returning fencers to complete the Inter-Season Fencing Plan.  In it you can detail what your plans are for getting better between now and next Thanksgiving, when we start all over again.

This form should be filled out and returned by all incoming 8th-graders, returning freshmen, sophomores and juniors.  You can scan your complete form and fax it or complete it in Word and e-mail it.

Squad leaders are responsible for making sure all members of their squads complete the form.

Point Weapon Only Practice

There will be a foil and epee only practice on Wednesday, March 10, from 5pm to 7pm in the cafeteria. 

For those five fencers competing in the NJSIAA/Bollinger State Individual Championships on Saturday, the check-in is 9:00am at the Student Recreation Center on the Lawrenceville Campus of Rider University.

   

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.

Presidents' Day Practice; Girls State Championship Meet

This reminder is being posted because of the unusual practice time. 

Practice on President's Day, Monday, February 15, is from 9:00 AM until 11:00AM in the cafeteria. That's Eastern Standard Time, not Mendham HS Time.

Since this practice cannot conflict with anybody's club fencing schedule, there are no exemptions from practice.

Girls, Report for Tuesday's State Championship meet against HCRHS at 4:30pm.

Boys, No Practice Tuesday.  Please come support your female teammates.  Meet starts at 6pm.

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

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

Mendham HS Fencing's Next Two Weeks

Columbia Duals Moved to 6:00pm

Wed, Jan 20, Practice 5pm-7, cafeteria
Thu, Jan 21, Away Duals at Columbia, Two Round-Trip Buses at 4:30pm
Fri, Jan 22, Away Duals at Morris Knolls, Two Round-Trip Buses at 2:45pm
Sat, Jan 23, Practice at Morris FC, Foil 12:30, Sabre 2:30, Epee 4:30
Sun, Jan 24, No practice, meets or tournaments
Mon, Jan 25, Away Duals at Butler, Two Round-Trip Buses at 2:45pm
Tue, Jan 26, Practice 5pm-7 in cafeteria
Wed, Jan 27, Away Duals at Voorhees, Two Round-Trip Buses at 4:45pm
Thu, Jan 28, No Practice
Fri, Jan 29, Practice 5pm-7 in cafeteria; Pizza Party in cafeteria, 7pm-8pm
Sat, Jan 30, District Champs at Hackettstown, One-Way Bus, 7:00am

All dual meets are varsity and junior varsity matches. We will be taking the top five fencers in each weapon to the District Championships.  Download the line-ups for the Columbia dual meets.

Friday Evening's Practice and Competition

Practice on Friday, January 15, for foil and sabre fencers will go on as normal without the benefit of electrical scoring equipment.

Epee fencers should report to practice at the normal time, 5:00pm, to transport all the electrical scoring equipment to Mountain View School for the Mendham Friday Evening Division II Epee Tournament.

Practice on MLK Day

Practice on MLK Day, Monday, January 18, has been moved earlier in the day.  It will now begin at 3pm, ending at 5pm. 

Changes to the Schedule

• Today's buses for the Hackettstown dual meets leave at 4:30pm. 
• Practice on Tuesday, January 12, is cancelled.
• Practice on Monday, January 18, MLK Day, will be moved earlier in the day.  School is closed that day. Announcement of formal time change in next 24 hours.
• The dual meets against Voorhees on Wednesday, January 27, are away, not home.
• There is no practice on Thursday, January 28. 

These changes are different than the announcements made last Friday at practice. The season calendar and dual meet schedule on this blog are updated reflecting these changes.

The important thing to learn from these changes is that the schedule is constantly changing because of circumstances beyond the control of the fencing program.  The only way to remain aware of changes is to subscribe to the blog and check it frequently.

Fencing Program's Next Two Weeks

Tue, Jan 5, Practice 5:00pm-7:00 in the Cafeteria

Wed, Jan 6, Practice 5:00pm-7:00 in the Cafeteria

Thu, Jan 7, Home Dual Meets vs. Morris Hills, V & JV, Report 4:45pm

Fri, Jan 8, Practice 5:00pm-7:00 in the Cafeteria

Sat, Jan 9, Boys Cetrulo Relays at MKnolls, 1-Way Bus at 7:30am

Sun, Jan 10, Girls Santelli Relays at Voorhees, 1-Way Bus at 7:15am

Mon, Jan 11, Dual Meets at Hackettstown, V & JV, R/T Buses 3:00pm

Tue, Jan 12, Practice 5:00pm-7:00 in the Cafeteria

Wed, Jan 13, Practice 5:00pm-7:00 in the Cafeteria

Thu, Jan 14, No Practice

Fri, Jan 15, Practice 5:00pm-7:00 in the Cafeteria

Sat, Jan 16, Practice at Morris FC, Chester, S 12:30; E 2:30; F 4:30

Sun, Jan 17, No Practice

Mon, Jan 18, MLK Day-School Closed; Practice 5pm-7pm Cafeteria

Change in Start Time of Saturday Practice

The first practice of the new year, on Saturday, January 2, will be begin at 10am and run until 12 noon.  This is an hour later than originally planned to accommodate Trainer Angelo Scarparti.

During the week, Mendham freshman and sophomores won 13 medals at the Morris Knolls Invitational Tournament, third most of the eleven teams competing. All medal winners should bring their medals to practice on Saturday for a publicity picture.

 

Next Couple of Weeks

Practice today, Tuesday, December 22, will be nothing but free fencing after a warm-up, including competing against the alumni that come back from college.

Practice on Wednesday, December 23, is earlier than usual, from 2:00pm until 4:00pm.  Again, this will only be free fencing after a warm-up because of the presence of alumni.

No practice on Christmas Eve, Christmas or Boxing Day.  The next practice is Monday, December 28, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm. 

The Governor Livingston Tri-Meet, with Ramapo Boys and Lakeland Girls, is for varsity only on Tuesday, December 29.  The bus leaves at 9:45am.  Fencing begins at 11:00am.  This is a change from the original meet schedule published on this weblog.  This set of dual meets will be in the traditional high school format.  The Somerville Tri-Meet was in the college format.  The bus is round-trip.  All fencers return on the bus.

The Morris Knolls Freshman-Sophomore Tournament will be held on Wednesday, December 30.  The bus leaves at 7:30am.  It is a one-way trip only.  Fencers are responsible for obtaining rides home.  Juniors and Seniors are required to attend to set up our equipment, strip-coach their younger teammates, scorekeep and referee.

There will be a Saturday morning, January 2, practice from 9:00am until 11:00am.  The trainer might be coming in that day.  Look for that annoucement.

WM Central Postpones Monday's Dual Meets

The Monday evening, December 21, boys' and girls' varsity and junior varsity dual meets at home hosting West Morris Central High School have been postponed.   WM Central postponed the meets. The new date is not yet known. 

We will, instead, run a practice from 5pm to 7pm.  Since all fencers have previously cleared their individual schedules to compete in the dual meets, the coaching staff expects 100% attendance at this practice.  There are no lesson, music or homework exemptions.

Saturday Practice Exemption for Those Competing in the Cadet Qualifier on Sunday

Saturday's training session at Morris FC in Chester is optional for the following Mendham HS fencers competing in the US Fencing Association's NJ Division Cadet Under-17 Qualification Tournament on Sunday, December 13, to the Junior Olympic Championships: Adam Campos, Kyle Doyle, James McManus, Lars Swanson, Megan Wallace and Mark Zimmerman.  This will allow those that want to rest in front of the tournament to do so.

Announcements: Trainer, MoM Shirts, PA Meeting

• Fitness trainer Angelo Scarpati from Optimal Therapy and Performance will begin his training on Friday, December 11, 5pm.

• Distribution of the Mark of Mendham polo shirts ordered by coaches and new fencers will be immediately after practice on Friday, December 11, 7pm.

• The next meeting of the Parents' Association will be held this Monday, December 14, at 7:00pm in Room 139 of the high school.

Time of First Practice

A previous posting on this blog and the Calendar from October to March had different start times for the first practice this coming Friday, November 27.  The calendar has been changed to reflect the correct start time.

The correct start time is 2:30pm.  It will be a longer practice, 2 1/2 hours, than normal to introduce the coaching staff and all the fencers to each other and to put all events into the student-athletes' agendas.

Optional Physical Fitness Training with Optimal Performance

A group of parents separate from the MHS Fencing Parents' Association have arranged for Angelo Scarpati from Optimal Physical Therapy & Performance Institute to run physical fitness training clinics at the same time and location as our practices for one hour a week.  This is optional and requires a separate sign-up.  The sessions begin on Friday, December 11, from 5pm-6pm.  Athletes signing up for the 6-session program will be excused from practice for that one hour each week.

Download the Optimal Sign Up and Waiver(.pdf).

First Practices Over Thanksgiving Weekend

The first practice is Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, from 2:30pm to 5 in the cafeteria.

Bring your agenda and a pen or pencil to record practice, meet and tournament schedules and sweats for running outdoors. Wear comfortable gym clothes and bring a waterbottle. Everyone must be wearing shorts, no jeans.  In addition, there will be no scoop necks, spaghetti straps, sleeveless shirts, pajamas or clothing that is ripped or torn.    

Day two of practice is Saturday, November 28, from 9am to 11, in the cafeteria. Those competing in the U-20 Junior Olympic Qualifiers out of the NJ Division of the US Fencing Association on either Saturday or Sunday are exempt from Saturday's practice.

Practice 3 is Monday, November 30, 5pm to 7, in the cafeteria.

Additional Off-Season Group Lessons

The remaining schedule for off-season group lessons is:

Oct 3:   Sabre/Foil 12:30-2:30pm; Epee 2:30-4:30pm
Oct 10:  Epee 12:30-2:30pm; Foil  2:30-4:30pm; Sabre 4:30-6:30pm
Oct 24:  Foil  12:30-2:30pm; Sabre 2:30-4:30pm; Epee 4:30-6:30pm
**Oct 31:  Sabre/Epee 12:30-2:30pm; Foil  2:30-4:30pm
**Nov 7:   Sabre/Foil   12:30-2:30pm; Epee 2:30-4:30pm
Nov 14:  Sabre 12:30-2:30pm; Epee 2:30-4:30pm; Foil 4:30-6:30pm
Nov 21:   Epee 12:30-2:30pm; Foil  2:30-4:30pm; Sabre 4:30-6:30pm

The lessons will be held at the Morris Fencing Club in Chester and run by Coaches Slava Danylov and Alisher Dzhakhangirov of Morris FC. Each session will consist of a half-hour of warm-up led by experienced fencers followed by an hour and a half of instructional drills by Morris FC coaches.  If interested or have questions, contact Jeanette Jung for details.

** Due to the high interest from the incoming freshmen, two additional Saturdays with combined-weapon sessions are added from the original plan.

Again, this is NOT sponsored by MHSFPA or by the MHS Fencing Teams. It is optional and funded by individual families.

 

The remaining schedule for off-season group lessons is:

Oct 3:   Sabre/Foil 12:30-2:30pm; Epee 2:30-4:30pm
Oct 10:  Epee 12:30-2:30pm; Foil  2:30-4:30pm; Sabre 4:30-6:30pm
Oct 24:  Foil  12:30-2:30pm; Sabre 2:30-4:30pm; Epee 4:30-6:30pm
**Oct 31:  Sabre/Epee 12:30-2:30pm; Foil  2:30-4:30pm
**Nov 7:   Sabre/Foil   12:30-2:30pm; Epee 2:30-4:30pm
Nov 14:  Sabre 12:30-2:30pm; Epee 2:30-4:30pm; Foil 4:30-6:30pm
Nov 21:   Epee 12:30-2:30pm; Foil  2:30-4:30pm; Sabre 4:30-6:30pm

The lessons will be held at the Morris Fencing Club in Chester and run by Coaches Slava Danylov and Alisher Dzhakhangirov of Morris FC. Each session will consist of a half-hour of warm-up led by experienced fencers followed by an hour and a half of instructional drills by Morris FC coaches.  If interested or have questions, contact Jeanette Jung for details.

** Due to the high interest from the incoming freshmen, two additional Saturdays with combined-weapon sessions are added from the original plan.

Again, this is NOT sponsored by MHSFPA or by the MHS Fencing Teams. It is optional and funded by individual families.

 

Off-Season Group Lessons Start Sept 26

The off-season group lessons funded by the individual families will start on September 26. The lessons will be held at the Morris Fencing Club in Chester and run by Coaches Slava Danylov and Alisher Dzhakhangirov of Morris FC. Each session will consist of a half-hour of warm-up led by the experienced fencers followed by an hour and a half of instructional drills by Morris FC coaches. The schedule is:

Sep. 26:  Sabre/Epee 12:30pm to 2:30pm; Foil  2:30 to 4:30pm.

Oct. 3:  Sabre/Foil 12:30pm to 2:30pm; Epee 2:30 to 4:30pm.

Details for the additional sessions will be announced shortly. 

It is still not too late to sign up.  If interested, contact Jeanette Jung for details.

This event is NOT sponsored by MHSFPA or by the MHS Fencing Teams. It is optional.