March 20th, 2006

Reflections on Southwest Section Women's Sabre

Wow, its been quite a year for Cutting Edge Fencing Club in the Women's Sabre competitions of Southwest Section Circuit Cup. Two Gold Medals, four Bronze Medals, and two competitors in the top 6 of the standings (awards are traditionally given out to the top 6 point-holders, but we'll have to see what the Section Officers come up with this year). Melissa Tees and Kate Seiler, both competing for the first season in Open competitions firmly established themselves as among the top crowd.

How does one even pick out the highlights? Melissa's Gold Medal at the Longhorn to start off the SSCC season. Kate's Silver Medal at the non-SSCC Poujardieu Memorial and amazing so-close-to-successful-from-rock-bottom comeback against Demaris Dotson (a B-ranked sabruess who boycotted all SSCC events this year). Kate's victory over Melissa at the Houston SSCC. Melissa's Gold Medal at the Gold Blade Open to finish out the year. Back in September, at the beginning of the season, these two were intimidated by their opponents, scared they couldn't measure up, and grimly focused on just showing up and not embarrassing themselves. But now, thanks to a LOT of hard work (three practices a week, constant lessons, extra training, lots of competitive situations) they are the one's who intimidate their opponents, get asked "what's the next event you two will be at?" and generally regarded as top competitors.

And yet...

Its true, Women's Sabre in the Southwest Section isn't exactly making waves on the national level. But, along with Kate and Melissa, there is a solid core of other competitors in the Southwest Section: Cathy Latimer of Oklahoma, Cait Schneider, Christine Chow and Alexa Jeffus of Dallas, and a number of competitors from South Texas and other places who are right behind them. What these women and girls are doing right is finding opportunities to fence each other on a regular basis, and they are all getting stronger and better. There are a couple of women in the Section who feel that the SSCC events are beneath them, and that the other women don't give them enough of a challenge. One of these days, they're going to wake up and realize that Women's Sabre in the Southwest Section has passed them by, and that they are the ones who aren't giving enough of a challenge to the top competitors.

And that day is not long off...

So go ahead, and keep your Mixed events, and keep trying to get better by fencing those events, when your goal is success on the national women's circuit. Here at CEFC, we'll stick to the Women's events, and blow right by you.