news

CRC Hosted Yellow Jacket Open – Georgia’s Largest Fencing Tournament

Primary tabs

Fencing is a sport that focuses on speed, technique, intelligence, and trusting your instincts. To become a great fencer, you not only have to practice often, but you also have to experience the adrenaline-inducing experience of competing against opponents.  The Campus Recreation Complex (CRC) March sport club of the month, Yellow Jacket Fencing Club (YJFC) knows about the importance of providing their fencers with match opportunities which is why for the past ten years they have hosted the Yellow Jacket Open. This event has grown to become the largest fencing tournament in Georgia for three years running. This past March 2nd – March 3rd, fencers from all over the nation came to Georgia Tech to compete with other collegiate, professional, and even Olympic fencers!

Planning for this event begins in the summer when the date of the tournament is assigned. Shortly after, YJFC hires referees, reserves CRC court space, and assigns housing to off-campus competitors all while also practicing at least twice a week as a team. This year the YJFC club members were extremely successful in the tournament with seven members receiving medals, three fencers elevating their ratings, and two alumni winning first- place in their event.

 How does scoring work at tournaments? An individual fencing tournament is broken down into two main parts: the pools and the direct elimination. In the pools, fencers are broken down into groups and fence against everyone in their pool through 3-minute, 5-point bouts. Their performance in the pools will determine their placement for direct elimination. Direct elimination is conducted just like any other sport - fencers must win in order to move on. These bouts are 15-point matches broken down into three 3-minute periods.

This tournament continues to increase the reputation of the YJCF nationally as well as on the Georgia Tech campus.  Founded in the fall of 2004, the club has grown from a handful of members to well over 80 students and alumni! Club membership is open to students and employees. Go to crc.gatech.edu/clubs to learn more about fencing as well as all the sport clubs offered at the CRC.   

Status

  • Workflow Status:Published
  • Created By:Christine Kapurch
  • Created:03/21/2019
  • Modified By:Christine Kapurch
  • Modified:03/21/2019