US Olympic Committee Launches Cable Network

I wonder how this will impact fencing???  (It definitely will somehow)

Before the previous Executive Director Michael Massik left he sold the television rights of our sport to the Olympic Committee so for all intents and purposes, they own us.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.; PHILADEPHIA, Penn.; and SUN VALLEY, Idaho – The U. S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) announced today that they have entered into an agreement to form the U.S. Olympic Network (USON), the first-ever cable television network devoted solely to the excitement, competition and values connected with the Olympic Movement. (read more)

Fun Pictures from Pan Ams! (Hi Schneider Family!)

Daria and Daga in matching shirts outside the hotel.  Nice threads!

Our crack security force.  There were security guards with guns at almost every restaurant and public location.

Hanging out at the hotel…we played a lot of Settlers of Catan on this trip.   I could never hang when the team game was Scrabble so I’m happy we’ve switched to something new! 

Kelly enjoys a chicken dish wrapped in leaves at dinner following our team’s victories.

More food…Pupusa is the national dish of El Salvador. (Not pictured above…those are the desserts!)

Not only can Team USA fence, but we can also dance as exibited here by Daga, Mariel and Gerek. (sorry about the head being cut off Gerek!)

Our very fabulous women’s foil team at the venue checking out the action!

Good bye El Salvador for me!! Early flight back to NYC!

Pan Ams Day 4: Men’s Saber and Women’s Epee Claim Team Golds

It’s been a very successful Pan American Championships for Team USA so far…

Team USA Fencing picked up right where it left off  on the first day of the team events with the men’s saber and women’s epee teams capturing Gold.

The men’s saber team, Ben Igoe, James Williams, Jason Rogers and Tim Morehouse, had a bye into the round of 8 based on their top ranking in the region and number 2 world ranking.  In the round of 4,  men’s saber defeated Mexico 45-25 and then in the finals defeated Venezuela 45-31 for the championship.  Canada finished 3rd.

The women’s Epee team of Kelly and Courtney Hurley, Lyndsay Campbell and Danielle Henderson defeated Venezuela in the top-4 and then beat a strong Canadian team for the Gold.  Venezuela finished 3rd.

Women’s foil and men’s epee fence tomorrow.  Videos should be coming soon! (I’m leaving for NYC tomorrow, but hopefully will be able to keep updating!)

Current medal count (G S B T):
USA 7 5 6 16
Venezuela 1 2 3 4
Canada 0 1 4 3
Panama 0 0 1 1

The Pupusa!

The National dish of El Salvador!

Final Dinner in El Salvador!

Gold for USA Men’s Saber at Pan Ams!

Play by Play Video of Women’s Saber Finals Coming Soon!

Jason and I did some play-by-play and color commentary for the women’s saber semi-finals and finals for fencingpictures.com…

He should have the videos up in a few days…Let me know what you…Here is a preview….

ZAGUNIS DOWN THE STRIP…SHE LUNGES…IT’S GOOD!!!!

Pan Ams Day 3: Gold Medals for Mariel Zagunis and Kurt Getz!

Mariel Zagunis and Kurt Getz captured golds as both men’s foil and women’s saber swept the medals on the third and final day of individual cometitions at the Pan American Championships.

In women’s saber, national team newcomers Daria Schneider took home the Silver while Monica Aksamit finished with the Bronze.    Dagmara Wozniak finished 5th.

In Men’s Foil, Olympian Gerek Meinhardt took the silver medal while Miles Chamley-Watsontook home the Bronze.    Alex Massailais finished 9th-12 losing to Kurt Getz in the round of 16.

Team USA has a strong medal count lead with team event starting tomorrow with men’s saber and women’s epee.

Current medal count (G S B T):
USA 5 5 6 16
Venezuela 1 1 2 4
Canada 0 0 3 3
Panama 0 0 1 1

Flaming Sausage Appetizer!

Muhammad Captures National Championship in Women’s Saber

Ibtihajon Muhammad of the Peter Westbrook Foundation defeated 2004 Olympian Emily Jacobson to capture the 2009 National Chmpionship in Women’s Saber.  Emily Jacobson continues her strong comeback after nearly 3-years off with her best domestic result of the season. (She’s trying to get into the top-8 to ensure she can travel next year)

Alexis Jemal and Samantha Roberts finished tied for 3rd. 

The top-4 ranked US women’s saber fencers including 2-Time Olympic Champion Mariel Zagunis, Dagmara Wozniak, Daria Schneider and Monika Aksamit did not compete because of a scheduling conflict with the Pan American Games.