Chrissi just competed this morning and qualified for the US Summer Nationals Fencing Challenge. This is the biggest tournament in the United States, and I believe in all of North America. The US currently has the best fencers in the world. Chrissi has been fencing for me for 5 years. She started as a high school freshman, never having fenced prior to that time. 4 years of high school + 1 year of club fencing (her college doesn't have a fencing team so she is fencing out of my fencing club).
She is a shy young lady with lots of potential so I'm really thrilled that she made the cut and will be competing at the Summer Nationals.
Very proud of this young lady.
I believe that I will have 3 girls at Summer Nationals this year. Dasha, Lexi and now Chrissi. Not sure how many boys I've got going, probably 3 to 5.
Normally I don't attend too many of these types of events because the students typically travel with their parents but I think that I may be going to this one since it looks like I have a bunch of kids to be proud of ... win or lose. Its actually a pretty big deal to qualify for the national championships. It will very likely be won by one of the US Olympians (or at least a National Team member).
My hope is that Dasha makes it into the Top 32. I'd actually be happy if she makes it to the Top 64 but I know she won't be happy with that. For the rest of the students, I'm just thrilled they qualified and if they get up to the Top 128 it would be a huge accomplishment.