Post by schlager7 on Nov 20, 2004 10:01:58 GMT -6
Looks like the local media found one of our fencers, finally. She only had to win a spot to a Junior World Cup in Germany to get their attention!
Nov. 10, 2004, 7:18PM
FACES IN THE CROWD
For Woodlands girl, daily duels are the norm
Wheeler set for battle at world fencing event for juniors in Germany
By CARISSA D. MIRE
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
When Stephanie Wheeler hears the cry "On guard!" she knows it's time to go to work.
The Woodlands Christian Academy sophomore is an accomplished fencer, recently placing 16th in the nation at the North American Cup Fencing Tournament in Atlanta. She also has landed a spot in the Junior World Cup in Germany this weekend.
Stephanie, 15, was one of only 10 fencers chosen to compete for the United States at the international competition.
With more than five years of fencing under her belt, Stephanie said the sport still is as exciting as ever, perhaps even more than when she first picked up a sword.
"For about 2 1/2 years when I first started, it was more recreational fencing," she said. "I only practiced about one day a week."
Tournament time
Keeping that pace, Stephanie said she contemplated quitting, but decided to attend her first national tournament before making a decision.
"I was like 'Ew, yuck, this is too much work. I don't have enough time,' " she said.
The move to participate in the competition proved fateful.
"After my first nationals, I really started liking it," Stephanie said. "Now I train 12 hours a week."
Stephanie practices Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with Alliance Fencing Academy.
She said it's a pace she intends to continue for several years.
"I want to train all through high school and into college," she said. "A fencer is at his best around 23 or in the 20s."
Natural talent
Andrey Geva, Stephanie's trainer at Alliance, said her training regimen helped boost natural skills.
"She upped her attendance (two years ago) and from that point, she started developing her skills. She's much more fierce and dedicated, and that's the most important thing," Geva said. "I want her to go as far as she can. When I see a desire in my students like I see in Stephanie, then we go move forward."
He said her dedication has allowed her to hone her skills and develop her natural talent.
"She has a very good natural ability," Geva said. "She's a strong girl and she's smart and creative. All of these skills are very important for fencing."
Building skills
Stephanie is the first to attest to how hard fencing is, with its various techniques such as a lunge, fleche attack and advance and retreat.
"When you first see a sword, it looks so easy," she said. "But (when competing) you have to get inside the other person's head and try to figure out when they're going to attack. It's scary at first. Well, it's not scary unless you really think about it — that a piece of metal could be running through you. But that would never happen."
She said she also has to contend with nerves when facing an opponent.
Thrill of battle
However, she said some of her butterflies have dissipated with each new competition.
"When I first started, I was pretty nervous, but as you go to more and more competitions, your nerves calm down," she said.
Coach Geva said he hopes her nerves don't distract her in Germany.
"This is her first international tournament, and you have to go through many international tournaments until you feel confident," he said. "There's a different language and you're in a different country. It can be stressful. But if she can relax, she can do well."
Despite the challenges and possible dangers, Stephanie said the rush of the sport and the competition keeps her coming back and feeds her motivation.
"The greatest thing is how invigorating it is," she said. "It's such an emotional release."
Stephanie said she has used that emotional release more than once in competition.
"The worst (part of fencing) is when you get hurt," she said. "I got slashed in the throat at my last tournament, but I cut (my opponent) on the hand back."
Even her mother Suzette, a fellow fencer, is not immune.
"When I'm fencing my mom and she's just grounded me, I just give her a stab," she said.
Stephanie, who is set to leave for Germany today, talked about her expectations coming into the tournament.
"I don't really have any expectations because the Polish fencers are very good," she said. "I'm just really proud of my accomplishments," she continued. "Fencing is my life."
Nov. 10, 2004, 7:18PM
FACES IN THE CROWD
For Woodlands girl, daily duels are the norm
Wheeler set for battle at world fencing event for juniors in Germany
By CARISSA D. MIRE
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
When Stephanie Wheeler hears the cry "On guard!" she knows it's time to go to work.
The Woodlands Christian Academy sophomore is an accomplished fencer, recently placing 16th in the nation at the North American Cup Fencing Tournament in Atlanta. She also has landed a spot in the Junior World Cup in Germany this weekend.
Stephanie, 15, was one of only 10 fencers chosen to compete for the United States at the international competition.
With more than five years of fencing under her belt, Stephanie said the sport still is as exciting as ever, perhaps even more than when she first picked up a sword.
"For about 2 1/2 years when I first started, it was more recreational fencing," she said. "I only practiced about one day a week."
Tournament time
Keeping that pace, Stephanie said she contemplated quitting, but decided to attend her first national tournament before making a decision.
"I was like 'Ew, yuck, this is too much work. I don't have enough time,' " she said.
The move to participate in the competition proved fateful.
"After my first nationals, I really started liking it," Stephanie said. "Now I train 12 hours a week."
Stephanie practices Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with Alliance Fencing Academy.
She said it's a pace she intends to continue for several years.
"I want to train all through high school and into college," she said. "A fencer is at his best around 23 or in the 20s."
Natural talent
Andrey Geva, Stephanie's trainer at Alliance, said her training regimen helped boost natural skills.
"She upped her attendance (two years ago) and from that point, she started developing her skills. She's much more fierce and dedicated, and that's the most important thing," Geva said. "I want her to go as far as she can. When I see a desire in my students like I see in Stephanie, then we go move forward."
He said her dedication has allowed her to hone her skills and develop her natural talent.
"She has a very good natural ability," Geva said. "She's a strong girl and she's smart and creative. All of these skills are very important for fencing."
Building skills
Stephanie is the first to attest to how hard fencing is, with its various techniques such as a lunge, fleche attack and advance and retreat.
"When you first see a sword, it looks so easy," she said. "But (when competing) you have to get inside the other person's head and try to figure out when they're going to attack. It's scary at first. Well, it's not scary unless you really think about it — that a piece of metal could be running through you. But that would never happen."
She said she also has to contend with nerves when facing an opponent.
Thrill of battle
However, she said some of her butterflies have dissipated with each new competition.
"When I first started, I was pretty nervous, but as you go to more and more competitions, your nerves calm down," she said.
Coach Geva said he hopes her nerves don't distract her in Germany.
"This is her first international tournament, and you have to go through many international tournaments until you feel confident," he said. "There's a different language and you're in a different country. It can be stressful. But if she can relax, she can do well."
Despite the challenges and possible dangers, Stephanie said the rush of the sport and the competition keeps her coming back and feeds her motivation.
"The greatest thing is how invigorating it is," she said. "It's such an emotional release."
Stephanie said she has used that emotional release more than once in competition.
"The worst (part of fencing) is when you get hurt," she said. "I got slashed in the throat at my last tournament, but I cut (my opponent) on the hand back."
Even her mother Suzette, a fellow fencer, is not immune.
"When I'm fencing my mom and she's just grounded me, I just give her a stab," she said.
Stephanie, who is set to leave for Germany today, talked about her expectations coming into the tournament.
"I don't really have any expectations because the Polish fencers are very good," she said. "I'm just really proud of my accomplishments," she continued. "Fencing is my life."