Practice Today

Some of you may have fallen prey to a vicious rumor that was spread about practice today. We DID have practice, it was just in the Dining Hall. That will happen from time to time. Bob forgot to tell you yesterday, but you should have stuck around and tried to figure out what was going on. This does count as an unexcused absence. If you'd like to make up this practice, fell free to come on one of your off days. (I do know who was excused today and what squads had off.)

Great work to Arshia, Emma, Claire, Laura, Phillip, Muddy, Zuhra, Gavi, Michaela, Katie, Ryann, Alanna, Betsy, Catherine, Jee Hyun and Etonde for coming to practice today.


I plan on posting pictures on the blog. Please let me know if you DON'T want your picture on the blog. Thanks!

Parent's Day

Please come to Parent's Day at SPA Fencing. We'll start at 4:00 on December 14th in Bigelow. Each squad will present a different aspect of fencing. This will help all of the new families know what to expect at our meets. We'll also have a sign-up for treats/snacks for our meets. We are excited to see all of you there!

Jenni, Bob and Bob

Shoe Size

Email me your shoe size as soon as possible so I can order you some groovy new fencing socks!
spartanfencing@comcast.net

Squad Practice Days

This schedule will start on the 27th. I tried my best to match the days with ones that you could be at practice. If a day doesn't work for you, come on a different day. You are expected to attend practice 4 days a week if you are in grades 9-12. Remember there are whole group practices as well - you are expected to attend those even if they don't fall on your practice days.

MS - T, W, R, F
ME - M, T, R, F
MF - M, T, R, F

WS - T, W, R, F
WE - M, T, W, F
WF - M, T, W, R

R=Thursday

EMAIL US!

Dear fencers and families, email us - we are lonely! Not really, but if you want to be included in the email list you will need to email us at spartanfencing@comcast.net. Even if you filled out the sheet we had the fencers fill out when they joined fencing. We may not be able to read all the handwriting correctly, and it is much more time consuming. Please send a quick email and you are on the list! If oyu chose to only check the blog please do so daily. After you send us the email you might want to check the blog for a cople more days just to make sure! Not paranoid - just double checking. However you want the information you (the fencers - not mom or dad!) are responsible for it!

Remember to allow us on your spam filters!
spartanfencing@comcast.net

THANKS!

Bob and Jenni and Bob

SCHEDULE CHANGE

I know most of you figured it was a mistake - but just in case! NOVEMBER 18 is not a practice day! It is a Saturday. It cunningly slipped through the radar and lodged onto the page. November 20th is the only day of practice that week. Jenni and I have evening conferences and then there is that Thanksgiving thing. If you note other things that look strange please bring it to our attention. I know you will all find it shocking, but we are not perfect. No, no, you're making us blush. We are not perfect.

Vote Now!

What team gear should we order this year? Adidas Sweats, Sweatshirt, T-shirt, Long Sleeved T-shirt? Leave a comment with your preference. A decision will be made over Thanksgiving, so vote before then.

Practice Schedule for November

Whole Squad Practices: the 13th, 14th, 15th,17th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th and December 1st.
We'll hand out equipment on the 20th. So if you have your own equipment you have Thanksgiving week off.

E-Mail

Someone (in this picture and not the cute, black and furry one) told me the incorrect email address. Use spartanfencing@comcast.net.

Everything You've Wanted to Know...

SPA Fencing 2006-2007

Here’s a little about us…

Jenni Blat
I have been coaching at SPA for 11 years, during that time the Women’s Team, Women’s Foil and Men’s Foil Teams have won State Championships and we have had many team and individual successes. I was Captain of the Penn State Fencing Team where we won 6 NCAA Championships. I was also All-American in foil. I fenced epee for the United States on the Jr. Pan-Am Team and have made National Event finals in both Foil and Epee. Currently, I am retired from fencing but have run 8 marathons and a bunch of triathlons. I teach second grade at Webster the Enrichment Magnet in St. Paul. Being a part of a competitive fencing team was my favorite part of fencing and I am eager to have a successful and fun year.

Bob Blat
I was the Head Coach at Roseville High School for 11 years and this is my fourth year at SPA. I began fencing foil in high school but quickly changed to epee. I continued fencing competitively during and after college earning a place on the 1997 National Team, and the 1997 U.S. Maccabiah Team. I taught fifth grade for 7 years and am now teaching first grade at Webster Elementary School in St. Paul. I have run my one marathon and am done! Fencing has always been an important part of my life because of the camaraderie. I am looking forward another exciting year at SPA.

Bob Prifrel
I’m Bob Prifrel, the father of Jenni Blat. Along with Jenni I have two other daughters, Megan and Laura, who have coached fencing at SPA. I have been involved in fencing for as long as Jenni has been involved in the sport. I have been the chair of the Minnesota Division of the US Fencing Association, Treasurer of the USFA, and am presently a trustee and the treasurer of the US Fencing Foundation. I teach Industrial Technology at Como Park High School and own a residential and commercial remodeling business, JLM Renovation & Restoration, LLC. I have been involved in sports my entire life, playing football and baseball through high school and played co-ed slow-pitch softball until two years ago. Having two daughters who competed extensively in fencing, not only has given me an appreciation and knowledge of the physical and technical challenges of the sport but, more importantly, the mental part of the game.

YOU NEED TO EMAIL US IN ORDER TO GET ON THE EMAIL LIST FOR THE TEAM! You ARE responsible for all of the information that is emailed. You should check your email on a daily basis. It will be set up as a blog this year. The blog is spafencing.blogspot.com is the website. We will continue to email information.

Following is hopefully everything you need to know to have a great season!
We are looking forward to a hard working group of fencers who will have fun!
Please call or E-mail us if you have any questions or concerns. Note the new and FINAL email address.

Thank You,


Jenni Blat Bob Blat Bob Prifrel
651.489.4528 Bob Blat’s cell 651-343-7172
spartanfencing@comcast.net

We practice from 3:30-5:00 in Bigelow.
You are expected to be at all of your practices.
Send an email or leave a message BEFORE you are going to be gone.

Varsity Team
· The Varsity Fencing Team will be based on skill, experience and try-outs. The final determination will be made by the coaches by January 8th.
We would love to be able to have all our fencers fence all the meets. But our goal of winning competitions requires us to balance the desire to allow new fencers to participate while honoring the commitment to field the best team possible. We fence a team format which uses 3 fencers + 1 alternate for each event. Fencers will earn starting positions as they improve and gain experience over the years.
· You are expected to attend all Team Meets, SPA Invitational, Blake Team Meet, Midwest High School Championships, Minnesota High School Championships, and all practices (unless excused in advance or excused by the school) in order to letter.
· If you miss any meet, even due to a school event (Math team), you will not letter. Your fencing team is depending on you! Plan ahead!
· Top 4 finishers in each event at States are All-State
· Places 5-8 at States are All-State Honorable Mention


Junior Varsity Team
· This team will consist of fencers who are new to the sport or have not earned a place on the Varsity Team.
· JV Team members will also letter if they meet the above requirements.


EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL FENCERS
· All team members will be expected to fence the SPA Invitational, Blake Team Meet and the Minnesota State Championships. All team members are expected to attend Team Meets to cheer on and support the team. This will help you learn how the meets are run.
· You must be at school the entire day in order to compete at a meet!
· If you drive to school you may drive to the meets with a note from the dean.
· You will need a ride home from TCFC (741 Holly Avenue, St. Paul) after our meets there.
· You will be responsible for your equipment, washing your jackets and making sure that your weapons are working. Again – plan ahead!
· Warm-Up for practice will start at 3:30 and practice will end at 5:00.
· All squad practices will be everyday until November 27th. Then all squad practices will be on Tuesdays and individual squad schedules will begin.
· If the temperature is above freezing we will be running outside! Dress for it. Do not run in your fencing shoes!
· You are expected to be dressed, in proper athletic attire, with your equipment at 3:30. If you are tardy 3 days it will count as an unexcused absence. If you have any unexcused absences you will not letter. Excused absences are Dr.’s appointments with a note from a parent or other school activities (Math Team etc.), when we are notified prior to the absence, or absent from school.
· Proper Attire: Athletic Shoes, warm up pants (no shorts for blade work), t-shirt, your equipment. You will not be allowed to practice if you are not properly attired and it will count as an unexcused absence!
· Please bring a water bottle!!!!

EQUIPMENT

Equipment All equipment needs to be ordered as soon as possible. You need to have your equipment by January 8th, 2007.

We have some equipment to borrow, but you are expected to buy some of your own equipment after your first year on the team. Having your own equipment we’ll make you happy and me happy! You may not store your equipment anywhere else but the locker room during the school day!

All fencers will need:
· A 3-weapon glove: Absolute Advanced 3-W glove (31002) $18.00
· Plastron: “New” Absolute Comfort Underarm Plastron (23009) $17.00

Second Year Fencers will need:
· 1 electric weapon
o Foil: Absolute Advanced Gold E. Foil with Pistol Grip (83004) $45.00
· Blade size – 5
· Grip – AF Vis. Pistol (S, M or L) SPA’s are S or M
· Guard – AF Standard Foil Roll Guard
· L/R Hand – depends on what hand you fence with
· Pad- AF Plastic Electric Foil/Sabre Pad (you can spring for the felt one)
· Point – French Foil
· Socket – AF 2 Prong
Epee: Standard 2-Piece Epee Set (SEE001) $51.00
AF Standard Electric Epee – AF Vis. S or M
Blade size – 2
Epee Bodycord – Absolute Standard Epee Bodycord
L/R Hand – that would depend on you
Sabre: Absolute Advanced Electric Sabre (103002) $50.00
Blade Size – 5
Guard – Absolute Standard Sabre Guard
L/R – That would depend on you
Pad – AF Plastic Electric Foil/Sabre Pad – spring for the felt!
Socket – AF Bayonet

· 1 body cord Foil: Absolute Standard 2-Prong Bodycord (121001) $12.00
Epee : came with your set above
Sabre: Absolute Standard Bayonet Bodycord (121002) $14.00
Girls: Absolute Women’s Plastic Chest Protector (23004) $25.00

Third and above Year Fencers will need an additional weapon and body cord each year.
Special sets of equipment can also be ordered for foil and sabre.
Foil includes weapon, lame, and bodycord (SEF001) - $98.00
Sabre includes weapon, lame, head cord, electric mask, bodycord (SES001) - $208.00

Please understand we got the prices from the catalog and they may have changed since last year. We order all our equipment from Absolute Fencing and all the codes and prices are from their catalogue. They have a website at www.absolutefencinggear.com.

We will be providing all fencers 1 dry practice weapon and Varsity fencers 1 back-up weapon, body cord and lame (if applicable). The equipment that is given at the beginning of the season will be in working order, we expect it back in the same condition at the end of the season, if not you will be billed for the equipment or repairs. We will have practice days devoted to fixing and maintaining the equipment. We will provide a list of small tools specific to your fencer’s needs when squads are designated.

We will be purchasing some type of team clothing (sweatshirt, pants, t-shirt, etc.) that will determined by the captains and coaches. Purchase of the clothing is optional. We will order by December 15th.

Schedule as of 10.31.06
Practice times and meet dates are subject to change, we will let you know as soon as we know. I’ll update this via email by this weekend after I know when the conflicts are for Bigelow.

NOVEMBER 2006
Nov. 13th Whole Team Practices begin
Nov. 20th Equipment will be handed out
Nov. 18th Whole Team – this is the only day of practice this week.
Squads and Squad practice days will be announced and start the following week.
Nov. 25th Squad practices will start.
All squads practice every TUESDAY even if another Whole Team Practice is listed for that week. You must also attend all meets.
DECEMBER 2006
Dec. 14th Parent’s Day
All squads practice, Parents Day starts at 4:00.
Treat sign-up for meets available at Parents Day.
Dec. 15th Happy Hanukah! Last day of practice until 2007
JANUARY 2007 A very busy month!
Jan. 8th Welcome Back. Whole Team Practice -
Midwest teams will be announced and permission slips will go home.
Jan. 9th Minnesota Sword Club @ SPA 4:30 pm
Jan. 12th No Practice - Set Up for SPA Invitational in the evening
Jan. 13th SPA Invitational – You will be there all day
Jan. 20th Blake Team Meet: Men’s events start at 8:00 am, Women’s at 12 noon
Jan 23rd Shattuck St. Mary @ SPA 5:00 pm
Jan. 30th Blake @ SPA 4:30 pm
FEBRUARY 2007
Feb. 2nd Leave for Midwest
Feb. 3rd Fence at Midwest and return home when done fencing.
Feb. 5th No Practice
Feb. 15th SPA @ TCFC 4:00 pm – You’ll need to get your own ride home.
Feb. 22nd SPA @ Sword Play 4:30 pm – Location TBA
MARCH 2007
Mar. 2nd No Practice – Team Dinner at SPA
Mar. 3rd State Championships at Roseville Area High School
Mar. 5th Return ALL equipment
Mar. 14th Team Banquet at SPA

TBA – Roseville

Another Season

We will be using this blog and email to communicate this season. Please post comments, but be aware that the comments can be viewed by anyone reading the blog. If you need to contact us personally, please email us.