November 2, 2005

The Longhorn Open - Austin, Texas

Wow, what a weekend! Here it is, Wednesday afterward, and I'm still riding high. It was such an incredible weekend for our club and for me personally. Many of you know about the personal troubles I've been going through lately, and to have the successes of this weekend really helps me bring it all together.

Well, of course, any recounting should start with our first GOLD MEDAL! Yes, the indomitable Mel struck again. She marched through a tough field, displaying poise, grace and skill under pressure, and brought home the gold. At a major regional event. In the first season she's competing in the opens. Watch out for this one, I'd been telling people for some time, she's going to be good. Well, Mel displayed just how good she can be, fencing at the top of her game and kicking some major booty all day long. It was incredible for me as a coach to have that happen. The other sabre coaches were most impressed, I must say, and are accepting me as one of their own. And of course, in the same event, Kate, who is now the assistant coach for us teaching the beginner classes, did fantastic too. Kate went an amazing 6-1 in her pool and ended up 3rd seed going into the DE's, with a bye past the first round. She made the final 8, and ended up as 6th place. Wow! Talk about progress! These two are going to help make our club a force to be dealt with.

And on the subject of progress, TJ over in the Men's event is another one to look at. Just this past summer he was in last place at a tiny little Divisional event in Waco, and now, he's winning several bouts in his pool at a regional event. Wes is another fellow who is coming far - he made it to the second round of DE's and into the top 32. Not a bad peformance at all. And Mike, well, everyone has a bad day like that! But you had a couple of close ones, and you'll do better next time, I promise!

Also this weekend, I was honored by the Southwest Section for having served for the past five years (2000-2005) as the SSCC Commissioner. I felt it was time to pass the torch along at the beginning of this season, and it was very nice to have the hard work I've done over the past five years keeping the SSCC alive and moving forward.

Okay, thats enough for now - back to work everyone! The season is just beginning! We've got a busy one ahead!