Salem Classical Fencing's Isabel Ford picks up an international nod

Who would have known that Salem is chock-full of romantic historians who like the idea of darting, dodging, shouting and near misses? Salem Classical Fencing started as a program at the YMCA in 2004. Now, youth and adults have unlimited opportunity to learn and perfect their fencing technique.

For some, fencing is a release and something fun. Others want the opportunity to rise to the top. From teens to adults, there is a spot for everyone. On Saturday, February 5, 16-year-old Isabel Ford of Salem added another fencing medal to her collection. She earned it for placing sixth out of 148 in Cadet Women’s epee at the Vigor Challenge in Goteborg, Sweden in her first-ever international fencing competition.

“It is incredible just to be here. I’m ecstatic!” said Ford after receiving her medal. Awarding the medals was Bjorne Vaggo, silver medalist in men’s epee for Sweden at the 1984 Olympic Games.

“She made our club proud. In fencing, it’s unusual for clubs outside of major cities to field international competitors. Even more so for clubs as young as ours,” said Michael Heggen, her coach.

“Salem likes fencing,” said Jill Summers, executive director at Salem Classical Fencing. “We are pretty small with about 100 fencers. The competition gets fierce between you and your opponent. Some like it for the historical component, while others are real big into team sports, but want to do the best they can on a personal level. And sure, we do get the Jedi Knight folks.”

Salem Classical Fencing works to bridge barriers in our community by teaching honor, chivalry, and respect through the art and sport of fencing. The program started with about 20 fencers. “We started out with quite a few youth fencers. But pleasantly, we have an influx of adults returning to the sport,” said Summers.
Summers is the only full-time staffer. “We have different levels of teaching ability and only four part-time staffers. What helps is the community aspect of the classes. Everyone pitches in and helps people out. They love to share what they know.”

The winning business plan for the nonprofit organization starts with a mission statement that isn’t exclusive. “We strive to make our programs and services available to all, regardless of ability to pay, through sliding scale rates and scholarships."

Now, the organization is offering a unique program: wheelchair fencing.

“We have been working with the Chemeketa Community College to help us with a stage and platforms for the fencers,” said Summers.

“This is going to allow people who either use a wheelchair or have difficulties with balance an opportunity to experience fencing,” said Rebecca Bolante, MS, CRC, and Disability Services Coordinator at Chemeketa Community College.

Mike Pintler, welding professor at Chemeketa Community College has been working on the project. “He did an excellent job meeting the needs for this specialized platform,” said Summers.

“We are also excited to announce that we were awarded a grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. They awarded us a $1,529 'Quality of Life' grant to get equipped. We just found out and we are very excited,” said Summers.

Wheelchair fencing is unique. “Instead of moving up and down, the fencing takes place in a much smaller, compact space, maybe three to four meters in length and about one meter wide. Fencers' chairs are hooked into a frame so that they
do not roll or tip over, and so that all the action takes place literally an arm’s length distance between opponents. Fencers shift around in their seats in order to hit the other fencer.

The need for wheelchair fencing is just as important for the community as the traditional fencing classes. “Sports are important; art is important. It’s the way we work through our problems and get strong and healthy to learn about ourselves.
We thought making fencing more available would fit our mission statement. We wanted to literally do that by building ramps and welcome people in."

What's next? “We want to offer more low-cost after-school programs. We would like to get more fencers to national as well. Nationals are at Reno this year. We hope to take a large group there. We have about five youth in the area who are at this level. It is expensive, so we would have more but it’s about finding the funding to bring the talent.”

College Hockey NHL has to a large pipe to be

College Hockey NHL has to a large pipe to be

NHL, the former college hockey players after enduring very soon, to the point where the three players have a background in the NCAA can be reached.

According to the NHL, with 225 789 (28.5%) players who have played at least one game this season the former college players. The New York Islanders Kyle Okposo regularly, University of Minnesota, who faced all season, the former player is not included.

I think that at least 35% in the years ahead are going to see number of hits, Paul Kelly, College Hockey, Inc., CEO of sports marketing arm said.

The main feeder system always Canadian junior hockey, the NHL's best style and length of time to play mimics. Program to many top NHL stars Steven Stamkos, including the production continues to attract the brave Sidney Crosby.

But the Central Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner Tom Anastos said it is inconceivable that represent NHL players in the college can grow beyond 35% was

Anastos said I wonder one day out of our system 35% to 40% of NHL players will see. I wonder if it takes another 10 or 15 years, but the number going to continue to develop do not know.

Kelly said the Russian Kontinental Hockey League players and Slovakia and the Czech Republic's lack of quality players out of position to contribute to growing a small number of college hockey.

During the past three years, 34.6% of all draft picks (218 630), college players or players who played college hockey. NHL teams still in college player's right to own 200.

Free agent signings of the number of college trended upward in recent years, Kelly said. Late bloomers. Tyler Bozak, Christian Hansen, Casey Wellman, children who were recruited at the age of 18.

Kelly says playing at Merrimack College 20-25 NHL scouts usually look at undrafted center Stephane Da Costa.

I think that College Hockey a realistic option if you dream of playing in the NHL is more, the Los Angeles Kings Jack Johnson and defenseman, who played at Michigan. There are more college programs across the country to be competitive. It is not just a select few.

Forecast NHL in 1980, when players reach college training camp knowing they had more to prove to the Canadian juniors have come a long way since.

It was only the more difficult climb if they were from college, former NHL player Tom Laidlaw, who left Michigan in 1980, North York Rangers.

Laidlaw said the college player of his team members had to fight through the injuries to prove they were ready to fight.

Laidlaw said I was in Canada so it was a little easier. This is a player of the American College then was bad, the belief was that America was no longer playing as did Kennedy.

St. Louis Blues defenseman Erik Johnson, who played hockey in Minnesota college said it indicates a change that is far more Canadians are beginning to go to college.

The only negative College NHL training camps that will not let you go, Johnson said. If you were going to college and pro teams try to go, more and more players would be the ideal destination.

Juniors Canadian pipeline continues to be the largest in the NHL, three years of draft picks will claim 50%. But as the Nashville Predators CEO David Poile said, "We're not going anywhere and the players feel.

Junior is still very good, he said. But college hockey is great. European hockey is great. Now we have players from Denmark, and Anze Kopitar is Slovenian.

College has climbed the ranks to influence management. NHL ten CEOs have college backgrounds.