Waukesha, WI 6/20/09 The fencing fathers were recognized, fun was had by all, and eleven WFA club members competed in one or more of the events. Two members fenced in their very first tournament - Mark McCullough and Ilsa Block. Bishara Korkor, on summer break from Ohio State, won the mixed epee event while Karen Voelz took the bronze.
Check it out!! Karen Voelz and Laura Scholten are at the top of the leader board for earning fencing points in women's epee in the 2008-2009 Heartland Circuit series. At the close of the series, prize gift certificates are awarded by place in each category.
MCFC Open & Youth Epee Save the Bees Fundraiser
Glenview, IL 5/31/09 Way to go, Joe! Joe Tovarek took the bronze AND earned his C rating in epee! Also competing and representing the club were Richard Struk, Barb Palecek, Karen Voelz, and Lori Drahonovsky.
10th European Veteran's Fencing Individual Championships
Hungary, Europe 5/18 - 5/24/09 Richard Struk competed in this international tournament in epee, foil and saber!
University of Chicago Don Randel Club Open
Chicago, IL 5/16/09 Karen Voelz came so close to claiming the gold medal in Women's Epee, but had to settle for the silver! Please ask her about the scoring of the final bout. Lori Drahonovsky, Annemarie Duchow, and Tara Tovarek also fenced in Women's Epee. Joe Tovarek (top ten finish), Karen, and Annemarie competed in the Mixed Epee event.
Mt. Prospect, IL 4/26/09 Karen Voelz was a bronze medalist in the Senior Women's Epee competition. Congratulations! This tournament also featured three other WFA epee fencers: Lori Drahonovsky, Richard Struk and Joe Tovarek.
Five medals awarded to Wisconsin Fencing Academy members! Wow - what a way to start out the 2009-2010 fencing season! Rory Tikalsky (silver), BarbPalecek (bronze) and Justin Vavra (bronze) fenced very well in the mixed foil event. Barb Palecek was awarded her second bronze medal of the day in mixed epee while Richard Struk displayed his exceptional epee skills and won the gold. Six additional club members participated in this tourney: Joseph Budovec, Ann Helms, Mark McCullough, Steven Tikalsky, Lori Drahonovsky and Annemarie Duchow. Their love of the fencing sport was clearly evident. Complete Results
Burton Open
Evanston, IL 10/03/2009
Several members from the Academy battled the cold, rainy weather and headed "south" to battle other fencers at the annual Burton Open held on the Northwestern University Campus . Lori Drahonovsky and Annemarie Duchow participated in Women's Epee. Richard Struk and Joe Tovarek competed in Mixed Epee. Karen Voelz participated in both the Women's and Mixed Epee events. And Luke Voelz competed in Mixed Foil.
Just two weeks after the Burton Open, four WFA members returned to Evanston to participate in this annual event held at Northwestern University! Richard Struk and Joe Tovarek competed in Men's Epee. Lori Drahonovsky and Karen Voelz participated in the Women's Epee event.
Another good showing of club members at this event!
Fencing Mixed Foil and placing in the top eight was Justin Vavra. Also fencing foil were Joseph Budovec, Ann Helms, and Mark McCullough.
In the Mixed Epee event, Lorena Drahonovsky and Karen Voelz took home Bronze medals! Congrats!l Anna Henckle and AnneMarie Duchow also fenced in this event. This was Anna's first competition! We welcome her onto the piste and look forward to seeing her at upcoming tournaments!
WFA fencers came out strong for this event with eight club members participating.
In Mixed Foil, fencing in his first tournament as a WFA member, Thomas Brewinski took the Silver Medal and earned his E 2009 rating! Congratulations and Welcome Tom! Rory Tikalsky and Karen Voelz finsihed in the top eight. Also fencing foil from WFA, were Lorena Drahonovsky, Mark McCullough and Steven Tikalsky.
Taking the Gold Medal and earning his E2009 in Saber was Joe Tovarek. Nice job Joe! Also fencing Saber was Mark McCullough. This was literally Mark's first time fencing Saber!!!!
WFA member, Luke Voelz (currently fencing at the University of Iowa) captured a Bronze medal at this event held at Iowa State University in Ames, IA. Luke finished an impressive 3rd out of 25 foilists from across the Midwest. Congratulations Luke!
5 Medals, 1 Blue Ribbon, and The Heartland Circuit Traveling Trophy!!!
WFA members Barbara Palecek, Richard Struk, and Karen Voelz stood up to the "challenge" at Sioux City bringing home numerous medals and awards from this two day event! Medals were awarded to the top 8 finishers in each event. In addition, the highest unrated nonmedalist, received a blue ribbon. Medals/ribbons earned are as follows:
Barbara Palecek
Women's Epee-5th place
Women's Saber-Blue ribbon-Highest Unrated
Richard Struk
Mixed Foil-8th place
Karen Voelz
Women's Epee-2nd place
Women's Saber-3rd place
Women's Foil-6th place
In addition, for accumulating the highest point standing in Women's Epee for the 2008-2009 season of the Heartland Circuit, Karen was awarded the Heartland Circuit Traveling Trophy! Karen has bragging rights for the year while the trophy is on display at the Academy in Oconomowoc! Karen is the fourth Wisconsin Fencing Academy fencer to take top honors in the Heartland Circuit. She joins current member, Richard Struk (Mixed Saber), and former members, Sharon Goddard (Women's Epee) and Bodo von Trenck (Mixed Foil).
Congratulations Richard, Barb, and Karen! Looks like the 16 hour/900 mile round trip was worth it!
More medals! ....a new rating!....and best of all, Turkeys!!!!
Nine members fenced at the annual Turkey Meet held at Catholic Memorial High School.
Fencers included:
Mixed Epee
Richard Struk
Joe Tovarek
Mixed Foil
Thomas Brewinski-earned his D2009!
Lori Drahonovsky Annemarie Duchow
Women's Epee
Ilsa Block
Sharon Goddard-Bronze medalist!
Mary Korkor
Karen Voelz-Bronze medalist!
The highlight of the day?!?!?! BOTH Annemarie and Karen won turkeys!!!! Yes, turkeys! One fencer, from each event, was awarded the "huge, frozen prize" via a random drawing. Given the number of entrants at this tournament, Annemarie and Karen considered themselves quite lucky!
Three members took part in the annual Wisconsin Closed Championships held at Catholic Memorial High School. The annual tournament, restricted to Wisconsin Fencers only, is held to showcase the talent of fencers from throughout the State. Participating members this year included:
Mixed Epee
Ilsa Block
Karen Voelz-Bronze medalist!
Mixed Foil
Justin Vavra
Women's Epee
Ilsa Block
Karen Voelz-Bronze medalist!
Wisconsin Fencing Academy closed out 2009 with numerous medals, ribbons, and honors. 2010 looks to continue the success!
Barbara Palecek, Richard Struk, and Karen Voelz participated in this annual 2 day event held at Iowa State University. Despite the long drive and bad weather, Richard brought home aBronze medalin the Mixed Saber Event and renewed his C rating in the Mixed Epee Event! Well done Richard!
WFA member, Luke Voelz, fencing for the University of Iowa, placed 13th out of 75 collegiate fencers in Men's Foil, placing him well above several other fencers with higher ratings! His performance earned him the Shiller Award for being the highest ranked club fencer in the Individual Men's Foil Event.
The two day event, held at the University of Notre Dame, featured both Individual and Team competitions.
Results are in! WFA members bring home more medals and another new rating!
Three members traveled to the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" to compete in the annual Minnesota Open held last month. Medals, in this two day tournament, were awarded to the top 8 finishers in each event. Participating members included:
Mixed Epee
Barbara Palecek
Richard Struk
Karen Voelz
Mixed Foil
Richard Struk - Bronze medalist AND earned a C2010 rating!
Women's Epee
Barbar Palecek - 7th place medal!
Karen Voelz - Silver medalist!
Vet Combined Mixed Epee
Barbara Palecek - 5th place medal!
Vet Combined Mixed Foil
Barbara Palecek - Bronze medalist!
The medal count continues to grow for the 2009-2010 season!
Three Academy Members participated in this, the final of six, Heartland Circuit Events. They include:
Mixed Epee
Barbara Palecek
Richard Struk
Karen Voelz
Women's Epee
Barbara Palecek -Bronze medalist!
Karen Voelz - Bronze medalist!
The annual HEARTLAND CIRCUIT consists of six different tournaments held throughout the Midwest. Each competitor earns points based on their placement in each tournament. At the end of the year, prizes are awarded to the top "Points Finishers." This year, Karen Voelz, secured the 2nd Place spot!
Congratulations! We're already looking forward to next year's Circuit!
The WFA Father's Day Cup, the final and largest tournament of the 2009-2010 season, was a huge success and lots of fun! In addition to trophy cups for the top finishers, each "fencing Father" went home with a door prize of their choice!
Members participating in this event included:
Mixed Epee
Ilsa Block
Mary Kostroski
Barbara Palecek
Mixed Foil
Thomas Brewinski -Bronze medalist and earned his C2010 rating! Congrats Tomek!
Lorena Drahonovsky
Mark McCullough
John Roberts
Rory Tikalsky
Steve Tikalsky
Mixed Saber
Barbara Palecek
Mark McCullough
We're already making plans for the 2010-2011 season. As soon as the details are finalized, we'll post the Events on this site and on AskFred.net. Check both frequently! See you next season!!!
First tournament of the 2010-2011 season nets 3 medals for club members!
The Wisconsin Fencing Academy began the 2010-2011 Fencing season by hosting the WFA OPEN! In addition to several club members, the 3 weapon event, had fencers from throughout the State, Illinois and Minnesota participating! Club members included:
Mixed Epee
Zachary McCullough (This was Zachary's first tournament! We look forward to seeing him at upcoming tournaments!)
Barbara Palecek
Joe Tovarek - Bronze medalist!
Karen Voelz - Bronze medalist!
Mixed Foil
Lorena Drahonovsky
Mark McCullough
Barbara Palecek
Justin Vavra
Mixed Saber
Mark McCullough
Barbara Palecek
Richard Struk - Silver medalist!
Joe Tovarek
Karen Voelz
Congratulations to our medalists!
Continue to visit this site for news about upcoming tournaments! We look forward to seeing everyone as we begin the new season!
Nice turnout for the 1st Annual WFA Ironman Epee.....
This was a fun event! Instead of several pools, we had one giant pool of fencers. So everyone got a chance to fence everyone. That meant 15 bouts plus DEs! Lot of work and endurance on the part of the fencers, but everyone had a great time. Club members participating in this event included: Ilsa Block, Brandon Kotlowski, Mark McCullough, Joe Tovarek, Barbara Palecek, and Justin Vavra.
Look for additional "Ironman Events" in the 2011-2012 Fencing Season.
First tournament of the season nets 3 medals and a new rating!
Wisconsin Fencing Academy opened the new fencing season with scorching temperatures and blazing bouts at the first tournament of the 2011-2012 season! Members participating included:
Mixed Epee:
Mary Kostroski
Mark McCullough - Bronze medalist!
Barb Palecek
Mixed Foil:
Barb Palecek
Alec Stuart
Justin Vavra - Bronze medalistand earned his E2011 rating!
Mixed Saber
Mark McCullough
Barb Palecek
RIchard Struk - Bronze medalist!
Congratulations to our medalists and ratings earner!
Zorro's favorite weapon, the rapier, was awarded to the winners in each event!
Over 40 fencers from the Midwest and beyond, fenced in the First Annual "Mask of Zorro" tournament. Keeping with the theme, the winners of each event took home a beautiful sheathed rapier. (Pictures coming soon!) Owner/Coach Richard Struk and Club Assistant Karen Zolna "expanded" the theme by dressing the "part." Richard, dressed in black, had the signature flowing cape, gaucho hat and riding boots! Karen wore a "period" dress and finsihed it with a gaucho hat as well! The event was fun and is sure to be a club favorite!
Members participating in this tournament included:
Over 45 fencers participated in this, the third of twelve tournaments being hosted by the Wisconsin Fencing Academy during the 2011-2012 season! Lots of new faces. Welcome! Club members participating included:
Four members participated in this annual event held at Catholic Memorial High School. Events consisited of both Mixed and Women's events. Members participating included:
