Keystone Games

[Griff]

After a long weekend in York, PA here is the Y14 womens gold medalist and U20 womens silver medalist. There was some great competition this year. Lil' Pete actually came in second overall in the boys/girls youth 14 combined but as top placing female she got the gold. This means she's qualified for the national event but we don't know when, where, or if she'll do that.

In the Y14 semi she was up against a very strong classical fencer, who she had defeated in the pools. The boy's coach paid Lil' a huge compliment by scouting her all day as she ground through the competion. He also complemented her twice during the event noticing how her tactics and strategy evolved.

After fencing defensively (as she had most of the day) through the first period, she fell 2 touches behind with 38 seconds left in the final period and decided to fence very aggressively from engagement. She drove him the length of the strip and scored once and then again with 18 seconds left. Going for the win, she attempted to do the same thing but he scored on a nice counter with 8 seconds on the clock. A friend from the club in Scranton was standing next to me saying she should have fenced for the tie when she again attacked and scored the tying touch with 2 seconds on the clock. He then very softly said it all, "Wow... just wow." The kids looked at each other with 2 seconds in regulation and some kind of silent communication passed as neither moved when the clock started.

Lil' Pete won priority with the coin toss, which is huge because the fencer with priority wins if the other fencer doesn't score. The boy was essentially forced to attack. It isn't fair but it is exciting. He attacked and she countered but off target. He attacked again, she parried to gain right of way and touched for the win.

In her next bout, she lost a very close final to a wonderfully athletic boy who picked up the men's Y14 gold. The boy she beat was very gracious coming back to wish her well afterwards. There was only one kid really lost his head during Y14. He was younger, had just gotten back from camp, and his Dad had just returned from his third tour in the Gulf so I think he deserved a pass.