by Tanner Willis
More than 150 fencers from 11 states competed in the 12th annual Amarillo Open fencing tournament hosted by Amarillo College last weekend.
The Amarillo Open was run by AC fencing coach Chuck Slaughter.
“It’s a regional open circuit tournament where fencers can earn points that will help them qualify to represent the United States internationally,” Slaughter said.
The tournament included events in women’s, men’s and youth foil epee and sabre. About 20 AC students participated.
Former AC students helped run the tournament Saturday and Sunday.
Former AC fencer Juleah Nusz helped referee. Nusz fenced in the program for nine years. She went on to represent AC and the country in several tournaments in Germany and other parts of Europe.
She also was a member of the U.S. Junior Olympic team.
“In the program, I’ve learned to be more confident in making decisions and just life in general,” Nusz said.
While this year’s tournament was not the largest at AC, the coaches still called it a success.
Several AC students placed in their events. Claudia Wrampelmeier took third in Open Senior Women’s Sabre, Jeremy Bauman took third in Open Senior Men’s Foil and Kala Simpson took second in Open Veteran Women’s Epee.
Those fencers earned points and rankings that will help them compete in higher-level tournaments.
AC offers beginning classes in fencing for children age 12 and under on Mondays and youth age 13 and up on Thursdays.
The AC Fencing Association is the competitive traveling team.
Members compete in tournaments such as the Amarillo Open around the counry and the world.
The ACFA has about 40 members.
Originally published: Thursday, October 06, 2011
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