Post by schlager7 on Sept 29, 2010 22:32:26 GMT -6
Re-posted here just because some locals may remember these two from the first Fete de Lune.
CARLSBAD: 91-year-old still sharp in international fencing. Novera "Herb" Spector transitioned this year from athlete to coach
By DANNY PENERA - dpenera@nctimes.com | Posted: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 7:52 pm
North County Times
After 90-year-old Carlsbad resident Dr. Novera "Herb" Spector competed in the U.S. Fencing Association’s national championship in June, he retired as a competitive athlete ---- but he wasn't ready to leave the sport entirely.
Spector, now 91, is continuing in the role of coach and will be leading the U.S. team at the Veterans World Fencing Championship starting Wednesday in Porec, Croatia.
Fencing has helped keep Spector's mind clear and his instincts sharp, attributes that can be key to good coaching.
"My legs are shot, my back is shot, but my hands are good and my eyes are good ---- I can see things that other people don’t see," he said in an interview last week. "That is why I’ve had very good results (with students)."
Spector, who has already trained three world champions, will be watching one student in particular this year ---- competitor D.D. "Doty" Nicolau, 61, whom he considers a star pupil.
Spector met Nicolau about 27 years ago and the two have competed as teammates in several national championships.
Nicolau, who lives in Alabama, won all of her last five competitions in her age bracket. She and Spector are traveling to Croatia this week where Nicolau will represent the United States in the Veterans World Championships, which runs through Oct. 3.
Veterans fencing is a growing sport that highlights the skills of athletes ages 40 and older. The sport also requires some sacrifice.
Spector amassed more than 500 medals during his competitive career, yet he said he has never had a sponsor.
"Fencing is not well supported," Spector said. "I've paid my own expenses to many national and world championships."
In 2004, Spector was recognized for his accomplishments in fencing by being inducted into the U.S. Fencing Association's Hall of Fame.
He credits his former teachers and coaches with much of that success and said he now he imparts his own wisdom to his students.
"He has an infinite amount of knowledge. He knows every trick in the book," said 15-year-old Taylor Walsh of Carlsbad, who has been training under Spector.
The teen now competes in national tournaments for her age bracket, as do many of Spector's students.
In addition to the accolades he has received in fencing, Spector is also an accomplished physiologist who authored the term "neuroimmuno-modulation" ---- the interaction of the nervous system and the immune system.
Although fencing has brought him a certain amount of acclaim, he considers the sport secondary to his greater loves in life.
"My first interest is in my children and friends, my second interest is in science and way down there is fencing, which is a great hobby, but it’s not my main interest," Spector said.
Spector said because he has many things to keep him busy, he is able to live longer than a lot of people.
He recently spent time in the hospital for septicemia-bacteria in the blood, and he was told he shouldn't have survived.
"I've got a lot more things to do, so I'm not ready to die yet," Spector said.
CARLSBAD: 91-year-old still sharp in international fencing. Novera "Herb" Spector transitioned this year from athlete to coach
By DANNY PENERA - dpenera@nctimes.com | Posted: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 7:52 pm
North County Times
After 90-year-old Carlsbad resident Dr. Novera "Herb" Spector competed in the U.S. Fencing Association’s national championship in June, he retired as a competitive athlete ---- but he wasn't ready to leave the sport entirely.
Spector, now 91, is continuing in the role of coach and will be leading the U.S. team at the Veterans World Fencing Championship starting Wednesday in Porec, Croatia.
Fencing has helped keep Spector's mind clear and his instincts sharp, attributes that can be key to good coaching.
"My legs are shot, my back is shot, but my hands are good and my eyes are good ---- I can see things that other people don’t see," he said in an interview last week. "That is why I’ve had very good results (with students)."
Spector, who has already trained three world champions, will be watching one student in particular this year ---- competitor D.D. "Doty" Nicolau, 61, whom he considers a star pupil.
Spector met Nicolau about 27 years ago and the two have competed as teammates in several national championships.
Nicolau, who lives in Alabama, won all of her last five competitions in her age bracket. She and Spector are traveling to Croatia this week where Nicolau will represent the United States in the Veterans World Championships, which runs through Oct. 3.
Veterans fencing is a growing sport that highlights the skills of athletes ages 40 and older. The sport also requires some sacrifice.
Spector amassed more than 500 medals during his competitive career, yet he said he has never had a sponsor.
"Fencing is not well supported," Spector said. "I've paid my own expenses to many national and world championships."
In 2004, Spector was recognized for his accomplishments in fencing by being inducted into the U.S. Fencing Association's Hall of Fame.
He credits his former teachers and coaches with much of that success and said he now he imparts his own wisdom to his students.
"He has an infinite amount of knowledge. He knows every trick in the book," said 15-year-old Taylor Walsh of Carlsbad, who has been training under Spector.
The teen now competes in national tournaments for her age bracket, as do many of Spector's students.
In addition to the accolades he has received in fencing, Spector is also an accomplished physiologist who authored the term "neuroimmuno-modulation" ---- the interaction of the nervous system and the immune system.
Although fencing has brought him a certain amount of acclaim, he considers the sport secondary to his greater loves in life.
"My first interest is in my children and friends, my second interest is in science and way down there is fencing, which is a great hobby, but it’s not my main interest," Spector said.
Spector said because he has many things to keep him busy, he is able to live longer than a lot of people.
He recently spent time in the hospital for septicemia-bacteria in the blood, and he was told he shouldn't have survived.
"I've got a lot more things to do, so I'm not ready to die yet," Spector said.