Midwest Information

Below is the information about Midwest this year. I'll have permission slips for you on Monday when we get back. So far some of the teams are set, while others will be determined after the SPA Invitational. If you are on the list below and know that you are definitely NOT going please let me know as soon as possible (like now). We need to know sooner what our numbers are so we can cancel rooms if necessary. If you say you are going to attend and give me the permission slip, you will be charged for the trip even if you don't go.

Team's that are complete: (let me know if you can or can't go as soon as possible)

ME - Alex, Stephen, Zach and Jonathan
MF - Michael, Charlie, Alec and Robin
WS - Catherine, Arshia, Erin and Zurha

Team's to be determined after the 13th.They will be determined on your finish in the SPA Invitational, your practice attendance, effort and coaches discretion.
WE - Betsy, Kenzie, Jennifer, Linnea, Claire and Emma
WF - Etonde, Jee Hyun, Alanna, Grace, Laura, Michaela
MS - Daniel, Ethan, Parker, Abe, Harrison

Midwest High School Fencing Championships 2007

Here is everything you need to know about going to Midwest High School Championships.

The bus will leave SPA at 10:15 am on Friday, February 2nd. This means that you need to be at the parking lot, ready to go at 10 am. You must go to your classes before that time to check in!

We will be leaving to come home immediately after the competition on Saturday night, February 3rd . We could potentially be arriving at SPA as late as 2 or 3 am, Sunday morning. We will have everyone call home when we reach Hudson, WI. Please make sure someone is there to pick you up so we don’t need to stand around in the cold. The school will not be open.

Hotel

The hotel cost will be billed to you through SPA. We will know the exact cost when we know exactly how many people are going. We are staying at the Chicago Marriott Schaumberg, 50 North Martingale Road, Schaumberg, Il, 60173, 847.240.0100. http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/CHISB There will be 2 fencers per room so everyone can have their own bed. That is also why the rooms are more expensive. We are not assigning rooms this year. We have a sign up sheet, so you can pick your roommate. The cost of each room includes a $50 gift card to the Woodfield Mall http://www.shopwoodfield.com/ where we are going to for dinner (both nights we hope) and a free breakfast buffet. You will also get a free in-room movie (censored) – but don’t stay up too late! The idea is to share the gift card with your roommate and use it for dinner at the mall. So your room, dinner and breakfast will all be taken care of before you leave. The phones in the rooms will be turned off. You can use the payphone or cell phone. There is a pool at the hotel.

Food

Bring between $50.00 - $70.00 per fencer. You will need money for 2 lunches and 2 dinners, and snacks. Don’t forget you can use the gift card for dinner. We eat at moderately priced restaurants such as TGIF, Perkins, etc. But the Woodfield Mall has a wide variety of restaurants. You may also pack lunches and bring snacks. It is better to bring too much money for food, than not enough.

Tournament

Bring some high energy foods (powerbars, bagels, fruit, etc.) to eat during the day. There will be some food for sale at the meet. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during the day. The most common health problems during a fencing competition result from lack of food and water. Wear SPA sweats to keep warm between bouts. Extra t-shirts are also useful. We will be fencing at Stevenson High School, One Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire, IL, 60069. http://district125.k12.il.us/ There should be showers – so you can clean up before we leave the school!

Equipment

Don’t forget to bring your mask, jacket, glove, shoes, knickers, long white SPA socks, sweats, lame, blades, underarm protector, etc. We will not have any extra equipment – don’t be the fencer who forgets something important this year! There will most likely also be an equipment vendor there if you wish (need) to purchase any equipment. He accepts most major credit cards and probably checks.

Who Else?

We will be traveling with TCFC. So be ready to make new friends! There will be 1 coach from TCFC, as well as the 3 SPA coaches.

Cell Phone numbers in case of an emergency – Jenni – 651.343.7171 and Bob 651.343.7172.

Expectations

You have shown great drive to practice hard and be responsible for yourself and the team. We expect you to behave with the utmost level of courtesy to everyone. Everyone includes your teammates, other fencers, your coaches, other coaches, restaurant staff, hotel staff and the tournament organizers. We are invited guests to this tournament. Violation of this conduct code may result in anything from restriction to your room, removal from the competition or removal from the team. If there is a problem, let us handle it. We have never had a problem in the past and do not expect to have any problems this year.

Toys

We encourage you to bring silent toys for the bus. Make sure you have your name on anything you bring. Don’t bring anything that you don’t want to lose or have broken. You are the only one responsible for your things.

What to Pack

Your fencing equipment – Mask, jacket, knickers, plastron, glove, long socks, etc. We will not bring any extras.
Socks – Long white socks – they must reach your knee. Wear your cool SPA ones!
Athletic shoes
Warm-Ups – SPA ones (any year)– so we look like a team
Water Bottle
Clothes for Friday and Saturday – Pajama’s , toothbrush, shampoo, teddy bear, blankey, etc.
Toys, books, homework, snacks for the bus ride.
Towel – you will need to shower at Stevenson High School before we go home. I will do a sniff test!
Please try to fit all of your gear in one fencing bag and the stuff for the bus in a (one) backpack.


What NOT to Bring

ANYTHING that you are afraid will get lost or stolen. You are responsible for your own belongings!

Tentative Schedule

2-2-07 10:00 am Meet at SPA, Load Bus and Leave
1:00 pm Stop for Lunch/Snack
5:30 pm Check in to the hotel
6:30 pm Dinner at the Woodfield Mall, Golf Road at Route 53. – See Jenni for a list of nummy restaurants at the mall. Same mall as last year.
11:00 pm Lights Out
2-3-07 6:00 am Rise and Shine!
6:30 am Buffet breakfast at the hotel – make sure you have checked out of your room!
7:00 am Leave hotel
7:30 am Arrive at Stevenson High School
7:30 am Mask Check
7:45 am MF, WE & MS – warm-up
8:30 am Introductions and Announcements
9:00 am MF, WF, ME, & WE pools begin
10:30 am MS & WS - warm up
11:00 am MS & WS pools – this may start earlier
5:30 pm Finish fencing and collect many trophies
6:30 pm Dinner
9:00 pm Leave for SPA
2-4-07 early am Call home from Hudson, WI
early am Return to SPA – Make sure you have a ride home!

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Jenni and Bob at 651.489.4528, our email is spartanfencing@comcast.net

We are looking forward to a fun and rewarding trip,

Jenni, Bob and Bob