Post by schlager7 on Jul 1, 2009 8:38:56 GMT -6
Foiling her foes
Fencer Hopes to Take Her Art to Int’l Stage
Keller Citizen
original story site
Wednesday, Jul. 01, 2009
By MELISSA WINN
The Girl Scouts of America can be credited with many things.
For Central High School softball player Lyndy Black, they can be credited with helping her find her passion in one of the most unlikeliest of places — the sport of fencing.
When Lyndy was looking for a sports summer camp to attend a few years ago to earn some badges, she and her mother came across a fencing camp and decided to give it a try.
"I had always been interested in it," Lyndy said. "I’d seen it but never took the chance before to get into it."
It didn’t take her long to realize it’s what she wanted to do.
"I love the workout; I love the physical aspect and the mental aspect," Lyndy said. "[The camp] taught me that the sport is not just about your body or your [athleticism], you have to think, and it truly showed me that."
When the camp was done, Lyndy said she asked her parents is she could stay with it. They agreed and Lyndy joined the Fencing Institute of Texas in Dallas, the same club she attended the camp at.
But there was an added bonus for Lyndy she said she hadn’t thought about before.
"Later on, I found out that [fencing] isn’t even a sport, it’s an art," she said. "I thought, 'That’s so neat,’ and now I’m going on my sixth competitive year."
Lyndy participates in the women’s foil events and said, in contrast to softball, it has taught her to be an individual.
"Fencing has taught me to stand on my own two feet and, at times, I will have myself to rely on," she said. "There is team fencing, but even then, you’re still fencing the other person by yourself, you have to make all the decisions. Your coach is there as a guide, but they cannot tell you the play so to speak as your softball coach or basketball coach can, they can only teach you the dynamics and mechanics of the sport.
"Ultimately, it’s you against your opponent, and sometimes against the director — they call what they see."
At her first World Cup competition recently in Dallas, Lyndy earned points toward an international ranking. She said that, by far, those points are more important because they allow her to compete with the best in the world without having to "qualify."
"For me to get points in my first World Cup in a seniors’ event is extraordinary," she said. "I’m proud, I’m happy, I’m overwhelmed. I trained hard and did everything I had to do and got the job done.
"Because this was one was in America, it was good for me to fence it. My coach, my family and friends supported me 110 percent of the way, and I was able to do it."
Another bonus of the points is that they give Lyndy a chance to be selected for the U.S. Olympic team, a goal she would love to achieve.
"The top fencer can be selected to fence in World Cup Championships, and that can lead to the Olympics and getting selected to fence for the USA," she said. "I would love to fence for the American team in the 2012 Olympics. I just have to keep training hard."
As for what appeals to her most about fencing, Lyndy said it’s the ability to apply what she faces against an opponent to her daily life.
"Fencing is physical chess. You’re making moves at 200 mph, and you have to react and let your instincts follow you and guide you," she said. "It teaches you to think on your own and be your own person, because no two fencers are alike."
Lyndy’s fencing club in a non-profit and helps to support wheelchair fencing, something she said is near and dear to her heart.
"I fence to honor those who aren’t as lucky or fortunate as I am," she said. "I’ve given out medals to my best friend’s brother, who’s handicapped. I have been so thankful for that."
Fencer Hopes to Take Her Art to Int’l Stage
Keller Citizen
original story site
Wednesday, Jul. 01, 2009
By MELISSA WINN
The Girl Scouts of America can be credited with many things.
For Central High School softball player Lyndy Black, they can be credited with helping her find her passion in one of the most unlikeliest of places — the sport of fencing.
When Lyndy was looking for a sports summer camp to attend a few years ago to earn some badges, she and her mother came across a fencing camp and decided to give it a try.
"I had always been interested in it," Lyndy said. "I’d seen it but never took the chance before to get into it."
It didn’t take her long to realize it’s what she wanted to do.
"I love the workout; I love the physical aspect and the mental aspect," Lyndy said. "[The camp] taught me that the sport is not just about your body or your [athleticism], you have to think, and it truly showed me that."
When the camp was done, Lyndy said she asked her parents is she could stay with it. They agreed and Lyndy joined the Fencing Institute of Texas in Dallas, the same club she attended the camp at.
But there was an added bonus for Lyndy she said she hadn’t thought about before.
"Later on, I found out that [fencing] isn’t even a sport, it’s an art," she said. "I thought, 'That’s so neat,’ and now I’m going on my sixth competitive year."
Lyndy participates in the women’s foil events and said, in contrast to softball, it has taught her to be an individual.
"Fencing has taught me to stand on my own two feet and, at times, I will have myself to rely on," she said. "There is team fencing, but even then, you’re still fencing the other person by yourself, you have to make all the decisions. Your coach is there as a guide, but they cannot tell you the play so to speak as your softball coach or basketball coach can, they can only teach you the dynamics and mechanics of the sport.
"Ultimately, it’s you against your opponent, and sometimes against the director — they call what they see."
At her first World Cup competition recently in Dallas, Lyndy earned points toward an international ranking. She said that, by far, those points are more important because they allow her to compete with the best in the world without having to "qualify."
"For me to get points in my first World Cup in a seniors’ event is extraordinary," she said. "I’m proud, I’m happy, I’m overwhelmed. I trained hard and did everything I had to do and got the job done.
"Because this was one was in America, it was good for me to fence it. My coach, my family and friends supported me 110 percent of the way, and I was able to do it."
Another bonus of the points is that they give Lyndy a chance to be selected for the U.S. Olympic team, a goal she would love to achieve.
"The top fencer can be selected to fence in World Cup Championships, and that can lead to the Olympics and getting selected to fence for the USA," she said. "I would love to fence for the American team in the 2012 Olympics. I just have to keep training hard."
As for what appeals to her most about fencing, Lyndy said it’s the ability to apply what she faces against an opponent to her daily life.
"Fencing is physical chess. You’re making moves at 200 mph, and you have to react and let your instincts follow you and guide you," she said. "It teaches you to think on your own and be your own person, because no two fencers are alike."
Lyndy’s fencing club in a non-profit and helps to support wheelchair fencing, something she said is near and dear to her heart.
"I fence to honor those who aren’t as lucky or fortunate as I am," she said. "I’ve given out medals to my best friend’s brother, who’s handicapped. I have been so thankful for that."