Press Release:
ROCHESTER…Batavia resident Claire Zickl is participating in the Flower City Super Youth Circuit, a United States Fencing Association National tournament, on Sunday, September 26. The competition begins at 12:30 p.m. Claire, who began fencing earlier this year, attends En Garde: Batavia Fencing Academy.
For those unfamiliar with the fencing tournament rotation Y10 fencers (youths 10 years old or younger) fence in one of 8 Super Youth Circuit tournaments before being allowed to sign up for Nationals at the end of the season. By fencing at this tournament Claire will be allowed to compete in Nationals.
Claire, a 5th grader at John Kennedy Elementary School in Batavia, began taking fencing lessons this summer “but has wanted to take them since she was 6, when her brother started lessons in Rochester,” according to her mother, Rachel Zickl. “She was very excited when En Garde came to town!"
Fencing is an ancient sport with an illustrious history and is only one of four sports to be included in every modern Olympic Games, since 1896. It was also an event in the original Olympic Games in Greece. Fencing is conducted on a 14m x 22m strip or “piste”. Competitors win a fencing bout by being the first to score 15 points (in direct elimination play) or 5 points (in preliminary pool play) against their opponent. Or, by having a higher score than their opponent when the time limit expires, usually nine minutes. Claire will compete against 11 other fencers in her age group.
"Fencing has certainly impacted Claire’s self esteem and confidence particularly as she has to fence against boys," Rachel says. Claire also plays soccer so, according to her mother, "fencing has also improved her balance and agility."
The Flower City Super Youth Circuit serves as both a qualifying event for the 2011 Summer National Championships, as well as a national point standing events for Y10, Y12, and Y14. National Points will be awarded to those placing in the top 40% of the competitive field.
For more information about En Garde:Batavia, contact Colin Dentino at 585.409.3993 or email engardebatavia@me.com
