Great news! Fencing Summer Nationals 2021 looks to be on! After losing our biggest event to the pandemic in 2020, it’s exhilarating to think that we are on the road back to our capstone national tournament!
The last year has turned the entire system of fencing competition upside down, making it hard to keep up with the ever-changing schedule and qualifications. We are now in the fourth stage of the Return to Fencing Plan from USA Fencing, which brings back national-level tournaments. That’s an exciting step towards Summer Nationals and the July Challenge!
Qualification Paths for Fencing Summer Nationals 2021
Obviously, with all of the changes to the schedule and the cancellation of large parts of the season, qualification has changed, though perhaps not as much as you might think. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if some qualification rules are changed, so stay tuned for any updates from the USA Fencing!
The national points (NRPS) in each respective age category (Y10/12/14/Cadet/Junior/Division 1) was frozen on March 11, which allows fencers who could not travel to still qualify if they were on the standings at that point and of course age eligible
Division 1 (born 2007 or earlier, A/B/C rated fencers)
Must meet eligibility requirements and one of the following:
- Be on the current or frozen Senior NRPS
- Be on the current or frozen Junior NRPS
- Be on the current or frozen Cadet NRPS
- Top 8 2018-19 Division 1A
- Top 4 2018-19 Division II
- 2021 NCAA National Champion Individual Competitor
- Epee Only: on top 3 USA Fencing Modern Pentathlon
Division 1A (born 2007 or earlier)
Must meet eligibility requirements and one of the following:
- On current or 2019-20 Div 1A ROC Regional Point Standings
- Top 8 current or 2019-20 Division to ROC point standings
Division II (born 2007 or earlier, C/D/E/U rated fencers only)
Must meet eligibility requirements and one of the following:
- Top 25 current or 2019-20 division qualifying competition
- On current or 2019-20 Div 1A ROC Regional Point Standings
- On current or 2019-20 Div II ROC Regional Point Standings
Division III (born 2007 or earlier, D/E/U rated fencers only)
Must meet eligibility requirements and one of the following:
- Top 25% of total D,E, or U fencers currently or 2019-20 of Division II Qualifying competition (if Div II and Div III are held together), or of Div III if held separately
- On Div 1A or Div II ROC Point Standings for 2019-20 or 2020-21
- Top 40% Div II or Div III NAC of 2019-20
- Qualified for Div II National Championship in the current or previous season
Y10 (born 2010-2013)
Must meet eligibility requirements and one of the following:
- Participate in a NAC, SYC or RYC in this season
Y12 (born 2008-2011)
Must meet eligibility requirements and one of the following:
- On Y12 NRPS
- Earn 70 Y12 Regional points this season or 2019-20
- Earn 150 Y14 Regional points this season or 2019-20
- Top 40% Y12 Regional Point Standings this season
Y14 (born 2006-2009)
Must meet eligibility requirements and one of the following:
- On Y14 NRPS
- Earn 150 Y14 Regional points this season or 2019-20
- Top 25% Y14 Regional Point Standings this season
Cadet (Junior Olympic Championships) – born 2004-2007
Must meet eligibility requirements and one of the following:
- On Cadet NRPS
- Earn 110 Cadet Regional points this season on Cadet or Junior Regional Point Standings
- Top 25% of Cadet’s JO qualifying competition for 2019-20 or 2020-21
- Top 25% of division’s Junior JO qualifying competition for 2019-20 or 2020-21
- Top 25% of Cadet Regional Point Standings this season
- EPEE ONLY – top 3 Modern Pentathlon
Junior (Junior Olympic Championships) – born 2001 – 2007
Must meet eligibility requirements and one of the following:
- On Junior NRPS
- Earn 110 Junior Regional points this season on Junior Regional Point Standings
- Top 25% of Cadet’s JO qualifying competition for 2019-20 or 2020-21
- Top 25% of division’s Junior JO qualifying competition for 2019-20 or 2020-21
- Top 25% of Junior Regional Point Standings this season
- EPEE ONLY – top 3 Modern Pentathlon
Qualifying this year includes a lot of different paths than before, including overlapping with the prior year’s qualifying! It’s an unusual situation, and we encourage you to consult with your coach to find out what your eligibility is if you are unsure.
Schedule of National Fencing Tournaments
In the next couple of months, there will be lots of national-level fencing competitions that are part of the qualification path.
May NAC
- May 6th-9th
- Richmond, Virginia
- Division I, Junior, Cadet, Y14
June NAC
- June 4-7
- Richmond, Virginia
- Division I, Junior, Cadet, Senior Team
In addition, USA Fencing is holding two NACs after the end of qualification in July and August. Why is this? This is to work everything that would normally be part of the competitive year for fencers, but it’s had to move in order to accommodate reopening. Normally this is downtime for fencers, but we have all had enough downtime!
July Challenge and Parafencing National Championships
- July 22-25
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Junior, Cadet, Junior Team, Parafencing
- Age bracket change! Cadets – 2005-2008, Juniors 2002-2008
Veteran National Championships
- August 27-29
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Veterans
Fencing Summer Nationals 2021
This year, Fencing Summer Nationals 2021 will be different than they’ve ever been.
The tournament takes place in Philadelphia from July 3 through July 12. Where better to celebrate our independence from COVID restrictions than in the birthplace of independence on July 4th? We are not totally free of course, and it’s critical that everyone stay up to date on safety precautions and social distancing requirements going into the competition, and if any changes are announced. Due to the COVID situation, things might change, including venues, so adaptability is key.
One big change this year is that the tournament will include Junior Olympics events that could not be held earlier in the year as they usually would be during the Presidents Day weekend in mid-February. Folded in as well is a July NAC for Veterans and Seniors. It’s all happening together in one place, which will make for a very unique tournament! What’s not happening is the July Challenge, which is listed above and is running separately this year on the other side of the country.
This year’s Summer Nationals will be a championship in all categories with the exception of veterans. That gives us one 10-day, long tournament that includes championships in all Divisions (1, 1A, 2, 3), all Youth categories (Y10/12/14), Cadet and Juniors, and Teams (Seniors and Juniors). It will be a truly unique tournament with 66 National Champions crowned!
- Championships – Division I, Division I Team, Division IA, Division II, Division III, Y14, Y12, Y10
- Junior Olympics – Junior, Cadet, Junior Team
- July NAC – Veteran Age, Senior Team
We’ll update you on details about the competition itself, along with tips for how to navigate travel and protocols. We are hopeful for a renewed chance to challenge our fencing and grow through this sport that we love in Philadelphia!
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