The Valley (High School) Fencing Club hosted a tournament at RDF last weekend, and we think it was pretty successful.
The high schoolers did a great job running their tournament, which had 3 saber events, 2 epee events, and 1 foil event. There were about 40 fencers from almost every club in Iowa (8 from RDF), plus a few from other states, and three people earned new classifications. We’re very impressed with the kids’ professionalism and organization skills (they made t-shirts, signs, awards, and even had concessions – with healthy snacks, too, based on feedback from their first tournament last spring!). 
In Unrated Mixed Epee on Saturday, Daniel A. won the silver medal, Ethan placed 6th at his first tournament, Colin placed 9th at his first US tournament, Simon was 12th in his first senior (ages 13+) event, and Kaden finished 16th but sure made Daniel A. work for that victory!
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Unrated Mixed Epee medalists: 1st – Jesse (ISUFC), 2nd – Daniel (RDF), 3rd (tie) – Quinn (ISUFC) & Nat (DMFC)
On Sunday, Colin won the silver medal in the Open Epee event, beating the fencer who knocked him out the day before and earning his E18 classification! Nick ended 9th, Daniel was 14th, and Mindy was 16th in her first tournament.
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Open Mixed Epee medalists: 1st – Colton (KCFC), 2nd – Colin (RDF), 3rd (tie) – Jesse & Quinn (ISUFC)
 
Thank you to the Valley Fencing Club for putting on the event, all the athletes who participated, the referees and coaches, and all of the parents and families that supported the event in various ways!