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March travel plans with a 17y.o. fencing phenom
- Thread starter Melensdad
- Start date
Today is the day we send Dasha away to Boston.
We've been spending a lot of time with her these last 3 weeks of school. She's been spending as many nights at our home as possible. Taking her to family events, attempting to teach her how to play Putt Putt Golf, visiting some of Chicago's less seen sights and various local neighborhoods and haunts.
Dasha gets on an airplane today at 2pm to fly off to Boston.
Her next coach is someone I'm in pretty close contact with and he is aware of her current fencing issues that need some extra attention. His club can provide what my club cannot. He has several high level fencers who can challenge Dasha and his club is open 7 days per week for this month as his fencers train to attend the National Championships. He even arranged for her to live with a family that is within walking distance to the school she will attend and the fencing club.
The lovely Mrs_Bob and I will see her again in 1 month when we pick her up at the airport and take her to the National Championships. I expect that her fencing will be better 30 days from today than it is today because I've seen her skills drop due to lack of local competition.
After the competition she will return to Boston, then to Moscow and Kiev to renew her visas. She will return to Boston in August to start her senior year of high school. We will see her at some tournaments, and she may "come home" for some of the holidays? It feels like we are sending our "daughter" off to a distant college.
Pictures from the past couple of weeks. The guy in the photos with close cut black hair & beard is my friend Charlie Rohrlack, he has helped immensely with her coaching. He is a top US saber fencer, has been ranked as high as 13th in the US, has fenced internationally with the US National Team, earned a medal at every North American Cup event he entered and is a solid tactics coach. I owe him a great deal of gratitude for his assistance.
We've been spending a lot of time with her these last 3 weeks of school. She's been spending as many nights at our home as possible. Taking her to family events, attempting to teach her how to play Putt Putt Golf, visiting some of Chicago's less seen sights and various local neighborhoods and haunts.
Dasha gets on an airplane today at 2pm to fly off to Boston.
Her next coach is someone I'm in pretty close contact with and he is aware of her current fencing issues that need some extra attention. His club can provide what my club cannot. He has several high level fencers who can challenge Dasha and his club is open 7 days per week for this month as his fencers train to attend the National Championships. He even arranged for her to live with a family that is within walking distance to the school she will attend and the fencing club.
The lovely Mrs_Bob and I will see her again in 1 month when we pick her up at the airport and take her to the National Championships. I expect that her fencing will be better 30 days from today than it is today because I've seen her skills drop due to lack of local competition.
After the competition she will return to Boston, then to Moscow and Kiev to renew her visas. She will return to Boston in August to start her senior year of high school. We will see her at some tournaments, and she may "come home" for some of the holidays? It feels like we are sending our "daughter" off to a distant college.
Pictures from the past couple of weeks. The guy in the photos with close cut black hair & beard is my friend Charlie Rohrlack, he has helped immensely with her coaching. He is a top US saber fencer, has been ranked as high as 13th in the US, has fenced internationally with the US National Team, earned a medal at every North American Cup event he entered and is a solid tactics coach. I owe him a great deal of gratitude for his assistance.
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Best of luck to Dasha!
At this point she could write a book about her travels and experience in America.
I hope she keeps a journal.
Bob, the upside down pics arghhh! Lol
Now sideways isn't so bad.
My phone goes flip flop.
At this point she could write a book about her travels and experience in America.
I hope she keeps a journal.
Bob, the upside down pics arghhh! Lol
Now sideways isn't so bad.
My phone goes flip flop.
Didn't want to start a new thread just for an update. Figured this post 'qualifies' as travel with a fencing phenom...
I picked up Dasha at Chicago's Midway Airport yesterday, she flew in from Boston. Yesterday evening I took her to Notre Dame University for her "official" NCAA recruitment visit. Technically I took her to a hotel room across the street from campus and checked her into a hotel under my name (as she is still 17). No NCAA rules were broken.
After checking her in and taking her to dinner I drove back home*. This morning she starts her official visit. She will meet with the coach and team. She will be 'shadowing' a team member during some classes, attending a practice (not allowed to actually practice) and then spending friday night on campus with one of female fencers. Saturday the lovely Mrs_Bob and I return to campus to pick her up. We are also attending the football game. I arranged to take her to a 'tailgate party' in the parking lot outside the game with some guys I know who raise funds for scholarships. My brother is an alum of N.D. and he is going to walk her around a bit and talk to her about campus life, etc.
Saturday evening we return home. Sunday she goes back to the airport for an afternoon return flight to Boston.
I'm hoping this official visit moves Notre Dame to the top of her list. Currently she still favors Stanford as her 'dream' school. She likes a couple east coast schools. Notre Dame is in her top 5. Not sure which schools may accept her; N.D. seems to like her because they are recruiting her. It would have her close enough to 'home' that she could visit for holidays.
I picked up Dasha at Chicago's Midway Airport yesterday, she flew in from Boston. Yesterday evening I took her to Notre Dame University for her "official" NCAA recruitment visit. Technically I took her to a hotel room across the street from campus and checked her into a hotel under my name (as she is still 17). No NCAA rules were broken.
After checking her in and taking her to dinner I drove back home*. This morning she starts her official visit. She will meet with the coach and team. She will be 'shadowing' a team member during some classes, attending a practice (not allowed to actually practice) and then spending friday night on campus with one of female fencers. Saturday the lovely Mrs_Bob and I return to campus to pick her up. We are also attending the football game. I arranged to take her to a 'tailgate party' in the parking lot outside the game with some guys I know who raise funds for scholarships. My brother is an alum of N.D. and he is going to walk her around a bit and talk to her about campus life, etc.
Saturday evening we return home. Sunday she goes back to the airport for an afternoon return flight to Boston.
* home is a bit less than a 90 minute drive from campus, but there is a 1 hour time change. I live in Central Time Zone and N.D. is on Eastern Time. She needed to be on campus fairly early this morning. Given the 90 min drive + 1 hour 'lost' for time change I didn't want to wake up pre-dawn to drive her 90 minutes into a glaring sunrise 
It was just easier to drop her at a hotel last night.
It was just easier to drop her at a hotel last night. I'm hoping this official visit moves Notre Dame to the top of her list. Currently she still favors Stanford as her 'dream' school. She likes a couple east coast schools. Notre Dame is in her top 5. Not sure which schools may accept her; N.D. seems to like her because they are recruiting her. It would have her close enough to 'home' that she could visit for holidays.
Had a great meeting with the ND coach on Saturday. He pretty much guaranteed me that he could get Dasha into ND with her academics and he pretty much guaranteed me that he can get her a decent scholarship. And I'm not her parent so I'm just a conduit for all of this and coach really needs to have a real conversation with her mom. I've already written to Dasha's mom, she has already replied and everything is now in process for her to call coach with the background information I provided. I believe that Dasha still prefers to attend Stanford or Columbia if either is possible, but Notre Dame is very close to the top of her list.
Dasha was escorted down to the sidelines of the ND -v- Virginia football game. She got to see the opening kickoff from the sidelines. She then went into the student section of the stands to sit with some of the fencers she met on the team for the first quarter. She joined us during the second quarter of the game.
Put her on an airplane this afternoon to return to Boston. We will see her again in early November in Milwaukee and she is invited for Thanksgiving, but we don't know if she will be able to make it back here for the holiday.
She is wearing a yellow jacket on the sidelines, the coach is wearing a white shirt. When it was time for the kick they moved farther up the field so they had a better view.
Dasha was escorted down to the sidelines of the ND -v- Virginia football game. She got to see the opening kickoff from the sidelines. She then went into the student section of the stands to sit with some of the fencers she met on the team for the first quarter. She joined us during the second quarter of the game.
Put her on an airplane this afternoon to return to Boston. We will see her again in early November in Milwaukee and she is invited for Thanksgiving, but we don't know if she will be able to make it back here for the holiday.
She is wearing a yellow jacket on the sidelines, the coach is wearing a white shirt. When it was time for the kick they moved farther up the field so they had a better view.
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Thanks. What I did was the easy stuff, mostly a glorified chauffeur. She did the hard work being an amazing fencer and brilliant student.Bob, she wouldn’t be there if it wasn't for all your good work!
I'm hoping she goes to Notre Dame because she will be close to 'home' but the reality is I hope she gets a chance to go to Stanford simply because that is her dream school. Notre Dame will push her hard for fencing, perhaps harder than she wants to work at fencing in college. Stanford's team is less competitive and will allow her to spend more time on studies. The way I see it she now has her one of her top choices so she can spend some time working on getting into her dream choice.
And her former high school coach pretty much hates me for helping to make things happen. Apparently I don't know what I'm talking about most of the time and I should not be allowed to influence teenagers.
Got an email today from the ND coach and am hopeful that the money can be found for Dasha. Coach asked me to get in touch with her mom and explain a few things, I sent off an email to her yesterday. Her mom and the coach had a conversation today. I think there is a pretty good chance for coming up with the funding that she needs now that the coach understands what her family can contribute.
Now to see if other universities can compete.
Now to see if other universities can compete.
Leaving for Milwaukee this afternoon. I've got 5 of 'my kids' fencing in the North American Challenge this weekend.
Kevin & Mateo compete in Mens Junior Saber today.
Dasha & Lexi compete Women's Junior Saber on Saturday.
Dominic competes in Men's Junior Epee on Monday.
The "junior" category is among the most competitive in the US as many of our top NCAA collegiate fencers, some of our US National Team members, Olympic Team members, etc. So odds of any of these kids finishing in the medals is slim. Dasha has potential to finish in the "Top 32" but it will be tough to get that high. Dominic, fencing Epee, has the potential to get higher up than the other boys but I don't expect him to be in the Top 32.
Kevin & Mateo compete in Mens Junior Saber today.
Dasha & Lexi compete Women's Junior Saber on Saturday.
Dominic competes in Men's Junior Epee on Monday.
The "junior" category is among the most competitive in the US as many of our top NCAA collegiate fencers, some of our US National Team members, Olympic Team members, etc. So odds of any of these kids finishing in the medals is slim. Dasha has potential to finish in the "Top 32" but it will be tough to get that high. Dominic, fencing Epee, has the potential to get higher up than the other boys but I don't expect him to be in the Top 32.
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Good luck to all of them.
Gooooo Dasha!
Gooooo Dasha!
Dominic is fencing his epee pool bouts now.
Kevin and Mateo did about as well as expected, which was not great. This is an amazingly tough event.
Lexi made it into the DE rounds but lost her first DE bout, which was also expected, she is determined and I give her huge credit for that. Dasha advanced to the 2nd round but was taken down by a girl who simply was better. Dasha fenced well, no major mistakes, very few minor mistakes. Her competitor was ranked higher and was just better.
On the bright side I did spend some time with the ND coach and he asked for more info from her and has money for her. She has already sent what he requested. UNC-Chapel Hill watched her fence, spoke with her after the event and is interested.
We got to see our 'adopted' daughter again, so that was good. We all got a lovely dinner at THE ODD DUCK restaurant in Milwaukee and I can highly recommend it. But it is loud and trendy. Still the food was excellent and prices very reasonable. She is confused about universities and the whole American process of acceptance and aid. I understand that, especially given that she is getting comments/advice from many sources.
Kevin and Mateo did about as well as expected, which was not great. This is an amazingly tough event.
Lexi made it into the DE rounds but lost her first DE bout, which was also expected, she is determined and I give her huge credit for that. Dasha advanced to the 2nd round but was taken down by a girl who simply was better. Dasha fenced well, no major mistakes, very few minor mistakes. Her competitor was ranked higher and was just better.
On the bright side I did spend some time with the ND coach and he asked for more info from her and has money for her. She has already sent what he requested. UNC-Chapel Hill watched her fence, spoke with her after the event and is interested.
We got to see our 'adopted' daughter again, so that was good. We all got a lovely dinner at THE ODD DUCK restaurant in Milwaukee and I can highly recommend it. But it is loud and trendy. Still the food was excellent and prices very reasonable. She is confused about universities and the whole American process of acceptance and aid. I understand that, especially given that she is getting comments/advice from many sources.
Don just got knocked out of the competition. But he and I go to Peoria next weekend for another event.
Pictures so far...
Kevin fencing men’s saber
Dasha at the airport
Lexi in women’s saber
Dasha With us and in woman’s saber
Pictures so far...
Kevin fencing men’s saber
Dasha at the airport
Lexi in women’s saber
Dasha With us and in woman’s saber
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Just an update on this.
I still communicate with Dasha most every day. Over the past week+ its been a constant stream as she has needed help with some of her high school finals and also she has been finishing up her college admissions.
Yesterday I was contacted by a top college coach (NCAA multi year champion) and was told that he didn't need my letter of recommendation. He had already gotten her cleared with the admissions and financial aid offices. She's just a formality now, her paperwork will clear and she will be in with a generous package.
2 days ago the coach at another top college with nearly as impressive a record indicated that she will be sending admissions a letter on Dasha's behalf for admissions (no mention to me of scholarship $).
I don't know most of the top NCAA coaches well enough to get messages like this, but these 2 schools are in Dasha's top 5 choices. I doubt any other school coach will preemptively contact me with information about her. This is all 'unofficial' as a coach cannot definitively say that a student is in, nor can a coach promise $, but typically if a coach is talking to another coach, and says it plainly and clearly, then its a done deal and the admissions and financial departments have already approved it.
Both of these schools are elite universities, she will get the best education possible if she chooses either of them. Both have elite level fencing programs, she will get the best possible fencing if she chooses either of them.
Again, no guarantee, all unofficial, but these are very good signs indeed
I still communicate with Dasha most every day. Over the past week+ its been a constant stream as she has needed help with some of her high school finals and also she has been finishing up her college admissions.
Yesterday I was contacted by a top college coach (NCAA multi year champion) and was told that he didn't need my letter of recommendation. He had already gotten her cleared with the admissions and financial aid offices. She's just a formality now, her paperwork will clear and she will be in with a generous package.
2 days ago the coach at another top college with nearly as impressive a record indicated that she will be sending admissions a letter on Dasha's behalf for admissions (no mention to me of scholarship $).
I don't know most of the top NCAA coaches well enough to get messages like this, but these 2 schools are in Dasha's top 5 choices. I doubt any other school coach will preemptively contact me with information about her. This is all 'unofficial' as a coach cannot definitively say that a student is in, nor can a coach promise $, but typically if a coach is talking to another coach, and says it plainly and clearly, then its a done deal and the admissions and financial departments have already approved it.
Both of these schools are elite universities, she will get the best education possible if she chooses either of them. Both have elite level fencing programs, she will get the best possible fencing if she chooses either of them.
Again, no guarantee, all unofficial, but these are very good signs indeed
Dasha begins the Junior Women’s Saber event in Charlotte, NC in a few minutes. She is currently ranked 55th in the nation in this division and 49th going into this morning’s event.
I’m not with her today. Didn’t plan to be there. We are all sad about that. But Melen needs to be moved home from San Jose and Marcia & Mel are in CA. I’m home to attend my aunt’s funeral today. I’ll meet up with Marcia & Mel in Bloomington at her IU apartment.
This is the last major event in the US for Dasha that the college coaches will see. Last chance to impress. I’m holding out hope for a Top 32 finish but Top 64 is realistic. Tough field. Biggest event nationally and most of the US National Team (minus our US Olympic squad) will be fencing today.
Monday she competes again, but it is an Open event in Division 1 so she will also face our US Olympians, former Olympians, etc. she is currently seeded 67th for that tougher event.
None of my other fencers are at this event. Dominic, my A rated Epeeist will compete next month in the Junior Olympics.
Photo added for fun, it’s from New Years Eve (she got her nose pierced)
I’m not with her today. Didn’t plan to be there. We are all sad about that. But Melen needs to be moved home from San Jose and Marcia & Mel are in CA. I’m home to attend my aunt’s funeral today. I’ll meet up with Marcia & Mel in Bloomington at her IU apartment.
This is the last major event in the US for Dasha that the college coaches will see. Last chance to impress. I’m holding out hope for a Top 32 finish but Top 64 is realistic. Tough field. Biggest event nationally and most of the US National Team (minus our US Olympic squad) will be fencing today.
Monday she competes again, but it is an Open event in Division 1 so she will also face our US Olympians, former Olympians, etc. she is currently seeded 67th for that tougher event.
None of my other fencers are at this event. Dominic, my A rated Epeeist will compete next month in the Junior Olympics.
Photo added for fun, it’s from New Years Eve (she got her nose pierced)
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TOP 32 FINISH TODAY
Came in 29th. She will move up the national rankings, she went in 55th. This is good for a nice little bump. More college coaches approached her today too. A coach friend of mine was watching her for me, he said she was relaxed, in control and fenced with grace. Dasha told me she felt good about her fencing today.
Photo below taken just before she destroyed a girl 15-3 in a direct elimination bout.
I have to say I'm thrilled with a Top 32 finish. It's a major achievement. Monday will be tougher competition. Basically the same people as today, but add in our Olympic team and more members of our US National team and more top NCAA fencers too. A top 32 in Monday's event would be even more astounding but I'm not going to get my hopes up.
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So for those who have been following along, Dasha is now living in a suburb of Boston. She stays in contact with me and has traveled with my family this season to events. We were planning to travel together to the big April fencing event in St Louis ... but all the events are cancelled/postponed until further notice.
Dasha has another problem. Her student visa expires in a couple months. While her mom is from the Ukraine and lives there, Dasha's citizenship is Russian. Her parents divorced the year before Dasha moved to the USA and then her mom moved from Russia back to her family in the Ukraine.
Trying to untangle this mess from afar but it appears that the US State Department is anticipating problems like this and is prepared to extend student visa. At this time we simply don't know the process to request the extension.
Our concern is that if she flies back to Moscow, which she has had to do in the past to renew her visa, she will then not be allowed back into the USA because of the Covid-19 travel restrictions. At this point I am advising her mother to keep her in the USA. She has already been accepted to the University of NOTRE DAME and I think it's harder to find a kid and kick them out than it is to deny entry to a foreigner who is not on our soil. With any luck we can get this all figured out well in advance and it won't become a problem. Just don't want to wait until the last minute.
Dasha has another problem. Her student visa expires in a couple months. While her mom is from the Ukraine and lives there, Dasha's citizenship is Russian. Her parents divorced the year before Dasha moved to the USA and then her mom moved from Russia back to her family in the Ukraine.
Trying to untangle this mess from afar but it appears that the US State Department is anticipating problems like this and is prepared to extend student visa. At this time we simply don't know the process to request the extension.
Our concern is that if she flies back to Moscow, which she has had to do in the past to renew her visa, she will then not be allowed back into the USA because of the Covid-19 travel restrictions. At this point I am advising her mother to keep her in the USA. She has already been accepted to the University of NOTRE DAME and I think it's harder to find a kid and kick them out than it is to deny entry to a foreigner who is not on our soil. With any luck we can get this all figured out well in advance and it won't become a problem. Just don't want to wait until the last minute.
So it’s now a couple years later. Dasha is a college freshman, varsity on the Notre Dame team.
ND won the nation championship, set a record for the most wins during an NCAA championship, won 4 individual trophies too. Not a bad weekend for a freshman.
I’ll be on campus in a couple days. She will be back here for the duration of Easter break.
ND won the nation championship, set a record for the most wins during an NCAA championship, won 4 individual trophies too. Not a bad weekend for a freshman.
I’ll be on campus in a couple days. She will be back here for the duration of Easter break.
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I stood on my head to see the photo.
Good job, Dasha!
No. I'm taking credit for the win
Practice started last week. They had team equipment day when they got all their new equipment, about 10 days ago. Dasha was chosen by the school to attend a leadership camp, which was last weekend. Classes have been going on for 2 weeks.