Motor City RYC/RJCC May 2026

Hey Everyone!!

Last RYC/RJCC Competition for the season happened last weekend!! Thank You to RFC for Hosting! As always, a Very Well Run Comp!!! Thank you to all the Referees for their great work as well!!

Saturday started off with Emery doing her first Cadet event taking 3rd in a field of 5!! But learning that fencing not to not lose (i.e. safe) only makes you hesitate and not trust yourself to take actions! Her words.

Next cadet boys Henry and Colton!! Henry set the strip on fire winning his first 4 bouts decisively!! Tean stumbled in his last two. 4-2 out of pools. Colton didn’t start strong but ended up 3-3 out of pools really getting that tip on in his last bouts. Colton and I talked about his main weapon- Emotional/Mental Resilience in these situations- the ability to Bounce Back into the Fight!!

So what did he do? Just that! But in his First DE he was struggling… I was coaching Evie in Y12 and Henry also but Oliver & Vaughn (from GRAFA- Not from our Club) found me to say “ you need to go talk to Colton because he’s struggling!” Wow!! That s Comraderie!! It speaks volumes about the integrity of thier parents & coaches!! Plus our club friendship!! So Cool!!

Colton won that bout… when on to meet Oliver in Semis beat him! I thanked Oliver but said “ maybe you shouldn’t have come told me Colton was struggling because he just beat you? Oliver just laughed…. No coach I want him to win that bout… Amazing!! Solidarity!!

Henry in the semis had a Hard Fought bout with Floyd (one of his buddies) but pulled through to win.

Colton and Henry in final!! Colton's momentum did stop … Colton Gold Henry Silver!!

Y12 Grrrls!! Evie came out strong winning her first two bouts!! Then the referee questioned her homemade French grip!! So there was a bunch of hoopla over that. The Main Armor in the end decided she couldn’t use it!…. So Evie had to use a Pistol grip (thank you Saige) and she lost two bouts 4-5 and won one!! Evie made a HUGE Emotional bounce back from feeling “I can’t fence with a pistol grip to Let’s Go I'm gonna fence to win whatever my grip!!" Evie won her first DE then in R8 meet Natile and lost 11-15 in a hard fought bout that Evie said “oh I wish I had my French grip but doesn’t matter I could of beat her with a pistol grip!!” Evie medaled taking 6th place

Sunday was Junior boys first - Evan, Colton, and Henry! Evan 5-1 out pools after Racing in a Regatta- 4 races on Saturday!! Henry and Colton in the middle. Colton won his first DE then faced Evan losing in a close bout 13-15!!

Henry was 5th out of pools, got a bye but lost his first DE to Floyd ( Kentucky- his buddy) who he beat the day before in a DE…beauty of Epee!!

Exhausted Evan couldn’t put it together in the semis and lost 12–15!

Evan 3rd, Henry 6th, Colton 7th

Last was Grrrls Y14! Evie 1-4 with a fantastic bout with Y14 Regional powerhouse Koko 4-5 with a Pistol Grip!! Evie's ability to adapt and execute was fueled by her Dad's vast Combat experience as Marine Recon in Iraq and Afghanistan!! She lost her DE to our Buddy Camilla in a hard fought bout.

Emery's 3rd bout was the down turn that set her off into self doubt and I can’t continue to fence today! She hasn’t lost 0-5 before but it was a flood of self doubt that took her over to the point of wanting to quit right there….But in the midst of her meltdown she started to understand that giving up felt comfortable but thatshe wanted to feel empowered …. So when the referee came over to tell her your on the strip Emery said “ Ok which side..”. Then she won the next two bouts, lost the 3rd to Sabina who’s very experienced/strong 4-5 ! So she pulled the Grrrl she lost 5-0 to and had a great bout losing 11-15 with a very strong come back!!

Fantastic Weekend!!!

Take Care!