Oregon fences its way to national event

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J.O. qualifiers get lined up, then prep for North American Cup stop
By Cliff Pfenning, oregonsports.com
Competition Saturday determined qualifiers for the Junior Olympics from Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Photo by Cliff Pfenning, oregonsports.com.

Oregon's top junior fencers converged on the Northwest Fencing Center Saturday to qualify for the Junior Olympics, which will be held in Salt Lake City in February.

They also got a taste of competition that awaits in less than a week at the North American Cup's stop at the Oregon Convention Center.

Most of the nation's top junior fencers will be in Portland for one of four annual events that help determine U.S. champions in saber, foil and epee. The event is additionally important this year because of this being an Olympic year with London playing host to the Summer Games beginning in July.

The tournament Saturday saw 27 fencers qualify for the J.O. tournament. The upcoming North American Cup will include 90 fencers from Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Olympian Mariel Zagunis will be on hand at the event, but won't participate as she's already qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

 

Comments

Upcoming North American Fencing Cup Free for Public

Submitted by Wanna Be Like Mike on Sat, 01/07/2012 - 11:14pm.

Cool! You should mention that the upcoming Fencing North American Cup (in Portland) is free for the public to attend. January 13-16, 2012 at the Oregon Convention Center. Action runs from 8am - 7pm daily

Great Fencing

Submitted by Wanna Be Like Mike on Tue, 02/14/2012 - 6:49pm.

Went to the event at the convention center. Great that it was free. Got to watch Olympian Becca Ward win the Gold Medal in Women's saber - she was totally fantastic!