Hannah McPherson was recently honored by USA Fencing, with the prestigious Fencing Spirit of Sport Award. Below is an excerpt from the letter announcing her award.

“USA Fencing is proud to recognize individuals who have shown exceptional dedication to the sport with the Fencing Spirit of Sport program….

Based on the nomination from Kristen Bannister for this award, you were selected as the Region 3 recipient…Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the sport of fencing.”

On behalf of the entire Seacoast Fencing Club, congratulations, Hannah. You are a truly exceptional member of our club.

Seacoast Fencing Club had a very nice article about our club published in a local weekly paper, Seacoast Scene, which covers the seacoast area in New Hampshire. The article, “The Language of Fencing” on page 7, did a great job of explaining my coaching philosophy, and why I started the club. And a bit on Hannah McPherson too! The link to the article is below. My thanks to the reporter, Sadie Burgess!

Hampton Beach 2021 – SeacoHampton Beach 2021 – Seacoast Scene – 05/05/2021 by Seacoast Scene – issuu

Manchester will be closed on Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day. It is a meaningful day for me. This is one of the few federal holidays for which I close the club. So stay home, enjoy the day, and please take the time to think about the sacrifices that your fellow Americans have made to protect and defend our country’s democracy, and the lives of its citizens.

Summer is upon us, and the fencing doesn’t stop! Except in July, because we are closed that entire month (I will be at the Summer National Championship the first two weeks of July, and I will need a break afterwards. But we have fencing in June and August!

Below are the dues for summer fencing. You can sign up for one month- June or August. Or you can sign up for both months at a $55 to $65 discount. If you know that you will miss some days, I will prorate the dues for a one month membership (sorry, not for the two month membership).

I usually run a combined Children and Youth Training during the summer, as the numbers usually drop, and we need a minimum number of participants to make group training fun and effective. However, if we get enough fencers to run separate programs, I will provide them.

I will be asking the fencers what their summer plans are, so parents, please discuss this with your children, and let me know what you decide to do. If you prefer to email me, that will be fine.

The club will continue to be open on the same days as now : Manchester on Mondays and Wednesdays, Rochester on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Membership includes fencing in both clubs if you like, at no extra charge.

Summer Term Dues

Children and Youth- $205 for one month, $355 for both months. 6:00 to 7:00 for a separate Children’s Training, 6:30 to 7:45 for Youth Training (and combined)

Juniors and Adults- $215 for one month, $365 for both months. 7:00 to 9:00, but you can come in early and stay as late as 9:30.

I hope to see you this summer, but if not, see you in September.

I am in the process of putting together the qualifying tournament for the Northeast Division (clubs and fencers in Maine and New Hampshire) for the Summer National Championships in July. The qualifier will be on the weekend of May 22 & 23, and will be at the Rochester facility.

  
These are for the Cadet (birth year 2004 to 2007), Junior (birth year 2001 to 2007, and Div 2 & 3 (2007 or earlier).  All three meets will have six events: Three men’s events- Foil, Epee, & Saber; and three women’s events- also Foil, Epee, & Saber.

  
These events will determine who is allowed to go to the Summer National Championships, this year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 3 thru 12.  The top three (or top 25% of the entries, if that is more) in each event will qualify.  You do not need to intend to go to the Nationals to participate in these qualifiers.  If you want to fence the other members of other clubs in the Northeast Division, this is your only opportunity to do so until next September.

Please email me at cjpullo@gmail.com if you are considering entering any, or all of the events.  This will help me organize the meet that weekend.  It may be on one day, or both days.

Please let me know before this Saturday, April 24.  You will not be entering anything at this point, just letting me know if you think you will want to compete on May 22 and/or 23.