TRFC News

LIFExpo 2008!

Come see Fencing at the LIFExpo at Heinz Field this Thursday May 1st through Sunday May 4th!

It’s a FREE Event where you’ll have the opportunity to:

• See Tunch Ilkin of the Pittsburgh Steelers for autographs on Thursday from 12-2:00
• See Jennifer Antkowiak speaking on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1:00
• Experience the Steeler’s Heinz Field Coca Cola Great Hall
• See How You can “Go Green” Everyday right here in Pittsburgh!
• Go Online at the KidZui Internet Cafe as seen on WTAE’s “Plugged In”
• Enter Prize Drawings and Giveaways for All Ages
• Introduce the Kids to the Pirate Parrot, Pirate Peroggis, and Kenny Kangaroo
• Learn How to Lower Your Cost at the Gas Pump
• Bring Your Home Products and Toys to Test for Lead Content
• Visit the booths of many regional companies and non-profit organizations!
  

LIFExpo Times: Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 12 PM – 8PM and Sunday: 12 PM – 5PM

Visit the website at www.lifexpo.com for much more information!

The Three Rivers Fencing Center will be doing fencing demonstrations at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, and again on Saturday evening, May 3 at 5:30 p.m.  Come check it out, and stop by our booth to say, Hello!

New May/June Beginner Classes

Fencing is one of the fastest growing sports in America!  We are offering a new set of classes that will start in May and finish by the end of June.  Learn To Fence Classes and Intermediate Classes will be offered at our Headquarters in Point Breeze starting Saturday morning, May 10, and are open to youth, teens and adults.  This is also an ideal class for any families that wish to learn to fence together!

We will also start a new set of Learn to Fence and Intermediate classes at the Peters Township Recreation Center, starting Wednesday evening, May 7.  Fencing is a great way to stay in or get into shape!  Try one of our classes and see what fencing is all about - please click on Classes to the right for more details!

Summer Camps 2008!

It's that time, again!  The Three Rivers Fencing Center is conducting half-day, week-long summer camps in the East End (at our headquarters in Point Breeze), in Wexford (through the Pine-Richland Fencing Club), and in Peters Township (at their Recreation Center).  The TRFC provides:

• Top USA and international coaches,
• Use of modern and safe equipment,
• Competitive and fun atmosphere,
• Camp t-shirt, and
• Daily snack and beverages.

Summer camps are a great way to get an introduction to this fast-growing sport!  Come see what it's all about.  Camp dates and details are available in the Classes section to the right - click for more info!

2007 National Championships

14 fencers represented the TRFC at this year's National Championships from June 29-July 8.  This year's event was in Miami, and we had some strong results.  The following fencers competed for TRFC - Great job guys!

Stephen Baker
Lynn Botelho
Brad Cellier
Elliot Cuzzillo
David "Max" Findley
Josh Grill
Tristan Jackson
Gabrielle Kirillof
Michael McInerney
Bruce Morrison
Dana Rosen
Rachel Stonehirsch
Gianfranco Trovato
Vincenzo Trovato

We also fielded TRFC Teams in both Mens and Womens Senior and Junior Foil Events.  Results for both individual and team events are available Here.  Special thanks to coaches, Iana Dakova, Charles Murphy, and Brad Cellier, who coached our fencers at Nationals.

TRFC Sweeps Arnold Classic!

After sweeping the foil events last year, the Three Rivers Fencing Center swept the Arnold Fencing Classic again this year.  Josh Grill won the Open and Youth-14 Foil Events.  In addition, Ben Jagger was awarded the Columbus Rotary Club $1,000 scholarship for being the one- “best citizen fencer” at the Arnold Fencing Classic 2007!  Congratulations, Ben!  TRFC fencers won many medals, and had many solid finishes - click on Competitions to the right for complete results.  Congratulations to fencers and coaches, alike!

Iana Dakova elected FOC Vice Chairman

Iana Dakova, Head Coach for the Three Rivers Fencing Center, has been elected Vice Chairman of the USA's Fencing Officials Commission (FOC). Her responsibilities now include selecting all referees for every major National and North American Cup tournament held in the United States. We are honored to have her here in Pittsburgh working with us. Congratulations, Iana.

Nadine Obermiller 6th in World Championships!

Congratulations to TRFC's Nadine Obermiller, who finished 6th in the 2005 Veteran World Fencing Championships over Labor Day Weekend!  After winning the USA National Championships Gold Medal, Nadine made her mark again at the World Championships in the Over 60 Women's Epee Event.  We are fortunate to have her training with us, and we look forward to her continued success!

Post-Gazette Feature

Jan Ackerman, of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, put together a fine article on fencing and the Three Rivers Fencing Center.  Click here to see the article.

Buckie Leach Seminar

On May 22 and 23, the Three Rivers Fencing Center (TRFC) hosted a very special Fencing and Coaching Seminar at the Pine-Richland High School.  It was conducted by Buckie Leach, coach of several international champions, 1996 and 2000 USA Olympic Coach, and current coach at the New York Fencers Club.  Many fencers took advantage of the Seminars, which covered beginner and advanced tactics for developing fencers. Many coaches also took advantage of the Seminars to improve their coaching skills. Thank you to all who attended, to TRFC Head Coach, Iana Dakova, for organizing the event, and to Buckie Leach for taking time out of his schedule to come to Pittsburgh and share his talents and experiences. TRFC will continue to sponsor events to improve the quality of fencing - stay tuned for more events in the future!

Jerome Bettis Show

The Three Rivers Fencing Center had the honor of fencing on the Jerome Bettis Show.  Iana Dakova (Head Coach) and Brad Cellier (President) fenced with Steelers Running Back, Jerome Bettis, and Tight End, Jay Riemersma.