Quad Meet added Thursday 12/29

Folks,

We have just confirmed that we have ADDED a Quad meet to our schedule for the Holiday break.

On Thursday, 12/29, we will be fencing in a Quad Meet at Bernards High School.    We are still working out the exact travel arrangements and will advise everyone of the details by the end of this week.   As of now, the event will be a daytime event.

We have requested a LARGE bus for the event -- so that everyone will be traveling.

Since everyone was told to plan for a full week of fencing during the break, we assume that this quad will not conflict with any personal/family travel plans.

Look for more details shortly.

Coach Paragano

GL Fencing Travel List for Livingston Tue, 12/20

Folks,

The Travel List for Tuesday's meet at Livingston HS is below.

Bus pick-up will be immediately after school.  Meet will start at 4:30 pm.   Socks will be REDand White.

 

All other students are to report to practice at CMS at 5:00 pm.  Coaches Hewett and Benzimra will be practicing with those students.  

 

Boys

Donohue, Brandon

Donohue, Ryan

Friedlander

Jennings, David

King

Korn

Manganelli

Marchelitis

Rossman

Shen

Stahlin (Manager -- only if not cleared to fence)

Sy

Wacaster, Bennett

Weng

Wolff

Yang, Jason

 

Girls

Boenning

Boyle

Cassano

Chu

Fan, Kara

Gonnelli

Greenwald

Jennings, Alaina

Reilly (Manager -- only if not cleared to fence)

To, Zoe

To, Zoya

Uhouse

Wacaster, Cornelia

Wu

Yang, Julia

 

 

Coach Paragano

 

GL Fencing - Parent Meeting Mon 12/12 7:15pm CMS Gym

Coach Paragano would like to have a parent meeting at 7:15pm on THIS Monday, December 12th at 7:15 PM in the gym at Columbia.  They will be ending practice early so Coach can speak with us.  It is important that you make this meeting because he will be discussing everything needed to know about the upcoming  Away Tri-Meet on Saturday, December 17th as well as other important issues.  Please make every effort to attend.

New Fencer’s Shopping List

Absolute Fencing in Bridgewater is a good one stop source that GL fencers have used for years. There are other fencing suppliers in the area and online, but Absolute is probably your best bet. They have everything you need; they know GL and won’t push stuff you do not need, and they offer a GL discount, I think it is 10%.

http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/

Uniform

Material can be either all cotton [slightly less expensive] or a cotton polyester blend [slightly more expensive, stretches better]. Though polyester blends don’t retain as much perspiration, neither cotton nor blends will feel anything like “cool” once the fencer is sweating.

1. Jacket – [no name or country on back for newbies; that is required and earned by competition in national/international meets.]
2. Pants [aka knickers]
3. Plastron [shoulder/pit guard]
4. Gauntlet
5. Fencing socks. Absolute has long, white socks very reasonably priced. There will be team color socks provided, but you’ll want several pair for getting through the practice week.
6. One mask appropriate for your student’s weapon. Epee’s and Foils are the same at this level of fencing.  Sabers have the metallic helmet. Clear visor saber masks are permitted. Absolute now has masks with removable liners, which are much easier to wash; they get about $15 more for that.
7. Shoes – there is no requirement that you have fencing specific shoes. Absolute does make a basic fencing shoe that is a good buy and is very well suited for new fencers. Click AF Elite Shoe II to view details.  You can also try indoor soccer or indoor track shoes, though you may still be in the same ballpark cost wise.
8. You don’t need to buy FIE gear – it is too much from a functionality and price standpoint. Fencers do not require that unless they are in an international event.

Weapons

• 3 weapons – [Coach has always recommended 3; without a team armorer it is more important than ever]
• 3 PVC weapons covers – you can also get the PVC from Home Depot and make them yourself if you have the time.
• 3 body cords, these should match your weapon, Absolute will hook you up with the right ones.

Bags & various other tips

• Absolute has a reasonably priced basic bag that is perfect for a newbie fencer. You don’t need a special rolling bag; they are more expensive and take extra room in our volunteer gear-driver’s vehicles. 
• We recommend lots of zip lock bags in assorted sizes to keep things orderly and prevent rust.
• Pack extra T shirts for fencers to change into after practices and meets. 
• Wash the uniforms periodically, they get gamey pretty quickly.  Enzymatic cleaning agents may help. Coach swears by a couple of shots of vodka.  (It goes into the washing machine!)
• Masks without removable liner can be washed in the dishwasher, but do not put it through the dry cycle as the plastics may be damaged. DON’T wash the metal saber mask in water; check with one of the coaches on how to clean.
• Coach will provide a packing list handout to fencers and they will go over how to pack the bags to protect the gear.
• LABEL everything – and don’t be shy about it. Fencing meets are chaotic and bits of uniforms and weapons get mixed up very easily. We usually have about a dozen emails a year from parents tracking down some lost article. 

To all GLHS Fencing Families:

 

The parents of a number of GLHS "newbie" fencers have asked about the JO Qualifiers over Thanksgiving and what is expected of the Newbies.

Here is what we expect:

 

1.   Newbies are NOT REQUIRED to fence in the JO Qualifiers.  However, if they choose to fence in the qualifiers, it would be good for practice purposes.   We will NOT hold their results against them at all.    It would the effort that counts.  

 

Their more experienced teammates will be more than cooperative in helping them on-strip (team coaches can only observe, not help, at these events).  

 

2.   If a newbie is not competing in the JO Qualifiers, they will still be expected to attend the qualifiers for the weapon event(s) in their weapon (or in any weapon, if they are undecided about which weapon to choose).   This will be great exposure for them to see the sport.   PARENTS:   You may also wish to attend and start to learn the rules.   If you are at the events and have questions as to rules, etc., this would be a great time to speak with one of the coaches -- or speak with parents of more experienced fencers.

 

3.   Newbies will be required to join USFA/NJ Division.   They can join on-line, etc.   They are ENCOURAGED to list "Gov.Livingston HS" as their club if they don't already have a home club.    Yes, they have not technically "made" the team yet.   However, it will still be advisable to list GLHS as the club for USFA purposes.

 

4.   Experienced fencers are expected to be at the JO Qualifiers both days.  If they age-qualify, they will be competing both days.   If they are too old for the JO-17's, they will coach their teammates at that event.

 

Whatever you and your athlete decide to do about competing, do it soon.   The registration fees double after THIS FRIDAY.

 

I look forward to seeing ALL FENCERS (and many parents) at the JO Qualifiers.   I may be silent, but I will be watching (as will all of our coaches).

 

Coach Paragano

GL Fencing Parents Meeting Thur 11/3/11

Dear GLHS Fencing Parents:

We will be holding our final pre-season Parents meeting on Thursday, November 3rd from 7-9:30 pm at the CMS Library. 

The topics to be discussed will be:

a.   the season calendar (which has finally been set; dates will be input to the calendar soon)

b.   equipment requirements

c.   try-out dates and requirements

The coaches will also be on hand to answer any last minute pre-season questions.

I hope to see you all there.

Head Coach Vince Paragano

GL FENCER & PARENT MEETING TUE 9/27 7PM

To All GLHS Fencers and Families:

We will be holding our organizational "Team meeting" of all GLHS Fencers (and prospective fencers) and their families next Tuesday, September 27th at 7 pm at the Columbia Middle School Library.

Originally, this meeting was to be "parents only".   However, that has been changed to now include all athletes who will be going out for the team (even if you played last year).   This is a mandatory meeting takes the place of the after-school meeting originally set for Wednesday, September 28th.

If you know of anyone who has expressed an interest in going out for the team, it is essential that you forward this email to them.

We will discuss:

1.   Introduction of the team captains

2.   Tentative Season Calendar and Important Dates

3.   Possible new District re-alignment

4.   Practice times/locations + 2011-2012 Private Lesson Policy

5.   Equipment Requirements

6.   Parent involvement/responsibilities (and financial obligations)

7.   Distribution and completion of all registration/permission forms

8.   USFA Tournaments and Membership

9.   2011-2012 season "cut" policy + traveling squads

10. Pre-season preparations

.... and MORE

The Captains look forward to meeting with all of you again -- and to starting the 2011-2012 Fencing Season.

Dave Warde 

GL Booster Club Fundraiser; GL Fencing Captains Practice

Fencing Parents,

Buckle your seat belts and welcome to a new year of fencing! Please take the time to read this entire message; it contains important info concerning:

GL Booster Club fundraiser (Fri 9/30 Mt Carmel Hall)
Captain's practice schedule (See Below)

BOOSTER CLUB BEEFSTEAK FUNDRAISER
The Booster Club liaisons are Monica Boenning and Sue Marchelitis. They would like to pass along information about one of the Booster Club’s biggest fundraisers-The Beefsteak Dinner. The Booster Club supports all of our athletic teams with monies made at fundraisers like this. Please consider attending! It is a fun night with lots of great baskets to be won and good food to
be enjoyed.

Attached is a flyer filled with information about the evening and how to make a reservation.

CAPTAIN'S PRACTICE SCHEDULE
This will be posted on the team's Google Calendar, which is access from the the GL Fencing Blog.

Thursdays :
9/15 5:30 to 7pm in the blue gym
9/22 no practice - cms back to school night
9/29 no practice - school closed Rosh Hashana
10/6 6-7:30 Gold Gym
10/13 6-7:30 Gold Gym
10/20 6-7:30 Gold Gym
10/27 6 to 7:30 Gold Gym

Saturdays: (ALL 9:30 TO 11:30)
9/17 Gold Gym
9/24 Blue Gym
10/1 Blue Gym
10/8 Blue Gym
10/15 Blue Gym
10/22 Blue Gym
10/29 Blue Gym

Key to cms gyms:  blue = new; gold = old

DO NOT bring any weapons or gear.  Regular workout clothes (ie not whites) and running shoes are appropriate. Be prepared for conditioning. No liquids in the gyms.

Attendance will be taken. Questions?  Contact Coach or one of the Captains (Brittain, Colleen and Zach).

Whew! That was easy. See you on at the Parents Meeting. Go Highlanders!

Dave Warde

Communications Director?  (Ok, I just made that up)