December NAC - Baltimore, MD

Swords Fencing Studio had an overall great turnout at this Division I and Vet NAC held in Baltimore, MD.

The weather was nicer than expected and there was some excellent fencing.

Long time student and MIT grad, Joey Rafidi, started the tournament weekend strongly with a great 7th place finish in Division I Men's Epee. With a large competitive field, Joey went straight through repechage to the top 8 after a weak 4-2 pool start. He fenced top ranked Jimmy Moody twice, winning 15-8 the first time to lose and end up in 7th the second time by a 15-13 score. This finish puts Joey into the 12th overall Team position for the Senior Men's Epee National Point List. We look forward to seeing him in St. Louis as he strives ever higher and as he competes internationally as well. This is Joey's next big result after earning a Junior Men's Epee spot when he was still studying at MIT. Go Joey!

Stephen Ewart, Cadet Men's Epee Team hopeful and 2nd in the nation as of this post, after a strong 5-1 pool start, made the top 32 in Division I Men's Epee with Joey in a large field of 226 and finished a respectable 26th in his bid to make the Cadet Men's Epee National Team. Great job and we look forward to his results this weekend in St. Louis as well. Good luck!

Our veteran women's fencers came out in strong force over the weekend with great results!

Michele Chimienti, after taking a break from fencing, comes back and took 3rd in the Vet 40 Women's Epee event and a strong 9th place in the Veteran Combined event.

Mary Huang also competed in the Veteran Combined and placed a respectable 24th while taking 10th in the Vet 60 Women's Epee event.

Loy Grotts only fenced in the Vet 60 Women's Epee but came away with a 12th place finish! Great job to all our Vet Women who show us that you can fence at any age and that fencing is not just for the young, but also the young at heart!

Great job to all who competed and we wish luck to all our fencers competing in this upcoming January NAC in St. Louis, Missouri.