Below: BDFC fencer, Daniel(L), scores on Ross Warren(R) on his way to winnng the U-16 2008 qualifier Northeast Divisioin.
BARN DOOR FENCERS CLUB
Head Coach, Cathy McClellan. http://mcclellanfencingresume.ash.com
BARN DOOR FENCERS CLUB (BDFC) was founded in 2003.
Please sign the guest book at the following link. http://BDFCequipment.webonsites.com
Fencing: "The Oldest Modern Sport", was one of the original sports at the first modern Olympics in 1896. It has remained part of the modern Olympics ever since that time. There are 3 weapons classes in modern competitive fencing: Foil, Epee, and Sabre fenced by both men and women. In national level tournaments women and men always compete separately, but local events are frequently "mixed" events. Women can be competitive with men in fencing since it is largely a game of strategy, intelligence and finese. Strength is not the most important component to be the best fencer. In fencing there is a rating system, similar to the "belt" system in martial arts. The ratings run from U (unclassified) then up starting with E, D, C, B, and A, the highest national rating. Currently three of our club members have national ratings. Daniel R. (16) [pictured above] is rated C in both foil and epee. Jonathan J. (16) [pictured below] is rated B in both foil and epee and is on the national points lists for Junior Epee and Cadet epee and foil. Coach McClellan, who was ranked A for many years in both foil and epee is currently ranked B in epee and D in foil. The motivation to improve in fencing is to try to achieve higher ratings and once an A is achieved, try to maintain it. Any rating needs to be re-earned within 4 years of earning it to be maintained.
Above: Coach McClellan with the Meistro, Joseph Pechinsky in 2006. McClellan was inducted into the US Fencing Hall of Fame in July, 2008 http://usfencinghalloffame.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=138&Itemid=52
BDFC was named Barn Door in honor of Joseph E. Pechinsky, McClellan's coach of Tanner City Fencers Club (TCFC) of Peabody, MA. Joe has coached 7 of his students to the Olympics from 1968 to 2004. Also many of his students won individual National Championships. TCFC also has won 5 Team Women's Foil National Championships (1982, 83, 85, 87 and 89). Even more of his students attended college on athletic fencing scholarships. Joe was given a life membership to the USFA as well as the US Fencing Coaches Assoc. Joe Pechinsky is also a US Fencing Hall of Fame inductee, (go to http://FencingonFairfield.comfor information) Joe's favorite way of expressing himself is to say "Barn Door" when expressing great excitment or even great frustration. He would never say a swear word. Joe Pechinsky is considered one of this country's greatest fencing coaches. The Pechinsky method of fencing is alive and well to this day thanks to 8 of his former students continuing his fencing philosophy through teaching fencing to new generations of fencers. Barn Door Fencers Club is such a club, Cathy McClellan, head coach. 3 MB is another in Massachusetts coached by three of Joe's original students, Jackie, Eddie, and Jim Mullarkey. Jane Hall and her husband Jim, both former Pechinsky students are coaching at Tanner City Fencers Club in Peabody, MA and Jim is the head coach of Saint John's Prep in Danvers, MA. Also Joe's neice, Sally Pechinsky who is one of Joe's Olympic fencers, also coaches. To carry the example even further, Elif Sachs, former student of Coach Cathy McClellan, became a top foil fencer nd now owns and coaches MOE fencing club in Massachusetts. Elif is now a second generation coach. The world of fencing is much the better for the influence of Joseph E. Pechinsky, master of the sword.
WHERE DO WE FENCE?
BDFC meets at the North Conway Community Center www.nccommunitycenter.org primary location) on Main Street (White Mountain Highway) in North Conway, NH (see details in left border) or Brownfield, ME. Call 603-733-5008 if you need directions. (PLEASE SEE SCHEDULE IN LEFT BORDER) Instruction for beginners and experienced fencers age 8 and up. All are welcome. We have 2 electric strips. We also have equipment for beginners to borrow. For younger fencers or parents who just want to have fun we have "noodle swords" made of soft foam that you can fence with. For accomodations if you want to make a weekend of coming to fence and perhaps ski or shop, please call the Scenic Inn in Conway, NH at 603-447-3901 www.scenicinn.com
WHAT TO WEAR: If you plan to take a class or a lesson, wear loose fitting pants or sweat pants. Fencers may not fence in shorts - even in summer so bring sweat pants with you you can change into. Also wear a short sleeved "T" shirt. Bring an extra shirt to change into after fencing (you will sweat). Wear rubber soled shoes or sneakers. A flat soled shoe is best (preferrably not running shoes, the raised heels cause poor balance). Short-shorts are not allowed for fencing.
Above: Jonathan J. attacking in an epee bout at Pris de Fer Fencing Club in Massachusetts. Jonathan began fencing in 2003 at 10 years old and is now nationally and formerly world ranked in Cadet foil. Jonathan is currently rated "B" in epee and "A" in foil.
WELCOME to our new fencers and thanks to our returning fencers.
FENCERS: Fencer's name, age in parentheses, year they started with BDFC and the town they are from.
Carl H. (42) North Conway, NH; Morgan (11) 09 Harison, ME, Samara M. (11) 09 Bridgton, ME, Aaron C. (16) 08 ME, Rich M. (44) 07 ME, Casey R.(17) 07 Fryeburg, ME, Corinna (18) 07 Brownfield, ME, Sara W. (17) 06Lovell, ME, Mariah S (15) 07 Sweeden, ME., Molly C. (17) 06 Fryeburg, ME, Jesse (15) 06 Fryeburg, ME, Daniel R. (18) 03 Conway, NH, Bryon G. (17) 03 W. Ossippee, NH, Jonathan J. (17) 03 and Steve J. (54) 04 from Brownfield, ME; Corinne J . Brownfield, ME (club secretary)
Upcoming Events: Go to http://northeastfencing.net . for competition schedule.
Beginning Foil Fencing class held at the North Conway Community Center every Wednesday evening 6 to 7:30PM. Call ahead to register 603-733-5008.
Y10, Y12 and Y14 foil upcoming competitions. Register on http://AskFred.net .
SPECIAL NOTICES:JONATHAN J. 13TH IN THE NATION IN JUNIOR FOIL. SEE DETAILS BELOW.
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Coach McClellan's almamarta, wins NCAA National Championship on 3/28/2010. Penn. State Univ. wins the NCAA Team Championships again for 2010.
On 10/03/2009 Coach Cathy McClellan competed in the third annual "Fence Against Breast Cancer"
foil and epee competition for women over 30 years old. She placed 2nd in both of the competitions. Contact Cathy by phone if you would like to make a donation to "fence against breast cancer".
We all can watch the Fencing World Championships live at the following website.
http://www.universalsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPID=11667&DB_OEM_ID=23000&ATCLID=204801424
BDFC is the 2008 Molly Stark mixed team champion for both foil team and epee team. The 2008 epee team was Byron G., Daniel R., Jonathan J., and Cathy McClellan. The foil team was the same minus Byron.
JONATHAN J. ACHIEVES A MAJOR MILESTONE. EARNS HIS "A" IN FOIL ON 3/20/2010 AT AGE 17.
COMPETITIVE RESULTS:
Jonathan J. has achieved international points for the first time in his career. On 1/11/09 Jonathan took 19th place in the Cadet Foil World Cup event in Warsaw, Poland. The result also adds to Jonathan's domestic points totals. To see Jonathan's tournament results go to the following website.
http://fencing.teamusa.org/event/event/1063?page_id=4527
http://www.mat-fencing.com/Mask2009/2009-01-11/index_eng.html
More news and results from previous seasons can be read at the following link - http://BDFCequipment.webonsites.com
Below: BDFC fencer, Daniel (Left) scores a touch on his way to winning the 2007 U-16 qualifier Northeast Division. Notice the scoring machine on the wall with the light illuminated indicating a touch. Daniel began fencing in 2003 at 11 years old . Daniel has earned a "C" rating in both foil and epee.
Please click this URL and sign my guest book. Look for it at the bottom of the page. Thank you
