Blake Novice Tournament

BLAKE NOVICE TOURNAMENT 2023 Blake High School Novice Tournament January 7, 2023 This tournament is intended for anyone who has not previously competed in a high-school level fencing meet. There will be an educational component for fencers and parents from 9:00–11:00 a.m. in the auditorium and then we will go downstairs to the gym and start fencing by noon. This is a NON-sanctioned MN HS individual meet, so USA Fencing membership not required. Grades 7-12 only. The entry fee for is $20. WALK-IN REGISTRATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Registration closes at 11:00 PM on Tuesday, 1/3/23. The Blake School MINNEAPOLIS CAMPUS (near Parade Ice Arena) Map to 511 Kenwood Pkwy Minneapolis, MN 55403 Preregistration opens on 12/13/2022. Preregistration closes on 01/03/2023. Individual entry fee for competitors is $20.00 pre-registered (no on-site registration is permitted). Each fencer may only compete in one event. CASH OR CHECK ONLY (no credit cards or electronic payments, and there is no ATM on site). Checks can be made out to “The Blake School.” Parents are welcome to attend the educational portion from 9:00–11:00, and they need not pay or register. Events Scheduled: Saturday events scheduled: Junior (U19) Women's Epee Junior (U19) Women's Foil Junior (U19) Women's Saber Junior (U19) Men's Epee Junior (U19) Men's Foil Junior (U19) Men's Saber Registration will close by 11:45. All events will start as close to noon as space and referees allow. Doors will open by 8:30 AM. For the purposes of this tournament, the general definition of a “novice” is someone who has not participated in any high school fencing tournaments or meets in any weapon (regardless of the weapon they want to fence in this tournament so, for example, someone who has fenced foil in a high school tournament or meet cannot enter this tournament in any weapon). It’s really intended to help brand new fencers get started with tournaments by fencing against other people in the same boat, but if you have been taking classes for a few years but haven’t competed, you are welcome. If you have fenced USA Fencing tournaments, this tournament is probably not for you, but feel free to email using the link on this page to ask. You can also talk with your coach for guidance. Please note: —USA Fencing membership not required (this is not a USA Fencing sanctioned meet) —To participate, you must not have previously competed in any HS-level tournaments —You must have competed in at least one regular season tournament (SPA, TCFC, or Rochester) and earned points to participate —Grades 7-12 only —WALK-IN REGISTRATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. —Registration closes at 11:00 PM on Tuesday, 01/03/23 —You must live in Minnesota or train in person at a club with a Minnesota practice facility to participate Equipment rules: —All fencers must have knickers, socks that overlap the knickers, a jacket, an underarm protector, and a fencing glove. These items must be in good condition and free of holes. —For saber, 800NW (FIE) gloves are required. —All women must have chest protectors; any chest protectors used in foil must have neoprene padding. —Masks will be inspected. They must (1) be free of dents and defects (2) pass a punch test (3) have a working back strap (the new-style Velcro strap system is not required, but there must be a strap in good working condition, tight enough to secure the mask to the back of the head). —Weights and shims will not be for foil and epee. Please make sure you are registering under the correct AskFRED-listed high school team or club. Check with your coach if you are not sure which one is yours. In addition, make sure the email listed on your AskFRED account is current and checked regularly. That the Minnesota HS Coaches' Association (MHSCA) requires FIE (800 NW) gloves for saber and neoprene-padded chest protectors for women's foil, as per USA Fencing regulations. If chest protectors are used for men’s foil, they must have neoprene padding. There are medals for the top 4 finishers in each event. COVID-19 (subject to changes): As of this posting, masks and vaccinations are not required to participate or attend. However, if you are ill or have a fever, you are asked not to attend. If you have tested positive for COVID, please do not attend unless you have a negative test or have been fever-free for at least 5 full days.