Qualification Update: Fencing Summer Nationals 2022

Fencing season 2021-2022 is roaring along, and we couldn’t be more excited about what this post-pandemic competition season will look like. This will be the first time in three years that USA Fencing has been able to hold its national competition in the regular format! 

We were lucky enough to have a national fencing competition last year, but the points were combined from the canceled 2019-2020 season and last season. This year, the competition will stand on its own for the season. 

2022 will see its first NAC will be held on the West Coast – right in San Jose. For the first time, Fencing Summer Nationals and the July Challenge will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. All around, we are just incredibly thankful for the chance to get our fencing on track once again for the biggest competition in the United States. 

Now the big question is – how do fencers qualify for Fencing Summer Nationals? Here’s what you need to know.

Changes this year

The new qualification paths are similar to what they were before the pandemic, and it’s important to note that only points and ranking from the 2021-22 season will count towards qualification. Given the complexities of the last Fencing Summer Nationals, clarity on this point is not something that we take for granted. 

There are a few changes this year from the previous years in qualification. Almost all of them are reversions back to the way that qualification went before the pandemic. There have been major shifts in every single category from last year, meaning fencers should all go through their qualifications thoroughly!

The most significant change to the competition itself is that Y12 & Y14 will eliminate the bottom 20% after the pool round. This was challenging for youth fencers last year when there was a cut, and it will definitely be even more challenging this year, as that’s a higher percentage than previously, and this change will affect competition in July.

Everything that you’ll find here is taken from the 2021-2022 USA Fencing Handbook. 

Qualification paths for Fencing Summer Nationals 2022

There are different qualification paths for each individual category. Depending on a fencer’s age eligibility, they can qualify in multiple categories. There are 93 events in total this year!

You’ll notice that there are both Fencing Summer Nationals and the July Challenge listed here. These competitions are run during the same weeklong event and in the same venue. The only real difference between them is the name and which events are included. The July Challenge is comprised of Cadet, Junior, Division 1, Senior Team, and Veteran Team events. Fencing Summer Nationals is comprised of Y10, Y12, Y14, Division 1A, Division 2, Division 3, and individual Veteran events and the winner will have a title of the US National Champion in her/his age/weapon/gender category.  There are a wide range of Veteran events embedded into the competition, including Veteran 40, Veteran 50, Veteran 60, Veteran 70, Veteran 80+. While we tend to think of youth fencers as being the central competitors in Fencing Summer Nationals, as you can see there are a wide range of Veteran competitions that go all the way up to age 80 and beyond. There is a longevity in competitive fencing, even at this high level, that is both fueling and inspiring.

Though the fencing age requirements are fairly consistent across the board, they aren’t totally consistent for fencers who are eligible for the Junior Olympics. This is a nuance that’s worth checking with your coach about if you aren’t sure, though most fencers who are at that level have an idea of where they’re at.

The four different basic ways that a fencer can qualify are:

  • Earn National Points by going to NACs, Championships, SYCs, or Designated International Tournaments – these equate to ranking on the National Rolling Points Standings (NRPS)
  • Earn Regional Points at RYCs, RJCCs, or ROCs – these equate to ranking on the Regional Points Standings (RPS).
  • Finish in the top 25% of a Divisional Qualifier for Division 3, Division 2, or Y14
  • Finish in the top 40% of a Division 2 NAC for Division 2

Fencers can check their status for qualification purposes on the USA Fencing website, but here are the qualifying paths for each division.

Y10 Qualification Path

Born from 2011-2014, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & one of the following: 

  • On Y10 NRPS
  • On Y10 Regional Youth Points Standing
  • Earn 60 Y12 Regional points this season

Y12 Qualification Path

Born from 2009-2012, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & one of the following: 

  • On Y12 NRPS
  • Earn 70 Y12 Regional points this season
  • Earn 150 Y14 Regional points this season
  • Top 25% Y12 Regional Point Standings this season

Y14 Qualification Path

Born from 2007-2010, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & one of the following: 

  • On Y14 NRPS
  • Earn 150 Y14 Regional points this season or 2021-22
  • Top 25% Y14 Regional Point Standings this season

Cadet (July Challenge)

Born from 2006-2009 & one of the following: 

  • On Cadet NRPS
  • Top 50% on Y14 NRPS
  • Earn 65 Junior Regional Points this season on Junior Regional Circuit Points
    Earn 65 Cadet Regional Points this season on Cadet Regional Point Standings
  • Top 25% of Cadet Regional Point Standings this season

Junior (July Challenge)

Born from 2003-2009 & one of the following: 

  • On Junior NRPS
  • On Cadet NRPS
  • Top 25% on Y14 NRPS
  • Earn 65 Junior Regional Points this season on Junior Regional Circuit Points
  • Foreign athletes who are A or B

Division 1 Qualification Path

Born in 2008 or earlier, class A, B, or C, & meet one of the following: 

  • Be on the current Senior NRPS
  • Be on the current Junior NRPS
  • Top 24 current Cadet NRPS
  • Top 16 2021-22 Division 1A Regional Point Standings
  • Top 4 2021-22 Division II Regional Point Standings
  • 2022 NCAA National Champion Individual Competitor
  • Foreign athletes who are A or B

Division 1A Qualification Path

Born in 2008 or earlier, class A, B, C, D, E, or U, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & meet one of the following:  

  • On 2021-22 Div 1A ROC Regional Point Standings
  • Top 8 2021-22 Division 2 ROC Regional Point Standings

Division 2 Qualification Path

Born in 2008 or earlier, class C, D, E, or U at the time of registration, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & meet one of the following:  

  • Top 25% of 2021-22 division qualifying competition
  • On 2021-22 Div 1A ROC Regional Point Standings
  • On 2021-22 Div 2 ROC Regional Point Standings 
  • Top 40% of any Division 2 NAC during the 2021-22 season 

Division 3 Qualification Path

Born in 2008 or earlier, class D, E, or U at the time of registration, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, & meet one of the following:  

  • Top 25% of total D,E, or U fencers currently or 2021-22 of Division II Qualifying competition (if Div 2 and Div 3 are held together), or top 25% of Div III if held separately
  • On Div 1A or Div 2 ROC Point Standings for 2021-22
  • Qualified for Div 2 National Championship in the current season

Veteran Age Qualification Path

Meet the age eligibility requirements for their division – V40, V50, V60, V70+ and V80+ & meet one of the following:  

  • On Veteran NRPS
  • On Veteran RPS
  • Compete in any NAC
  • Compete in any ROC
  • Compete in current season Div 1 or Div 2 championship

As always, we encourage you to consult with your coach about your qualification. Though going over it yourself will give you an idea, with the help of your coach or the staff at your club, you’ll know for sure. 

The following infographic summarizes the qualification update for all these different age categories and divisions and you can always quickly refer to it. It is best to view it in a presentation mode.

Schedule of National Fencing Tournaments

Over the next few months, there are a whole host of national-level fencing competitions that are part of the qualification path to Fencing Summer Nationals and the July Challenge. Though there are a lot of regional ways to qualify, there are far too many to list here as they are specific to each of the six regions. 

You’ll notice that the Junior Olympics are included here. This competition counts as a national-level competition for the purposes of fencing qualification.

December NAC

Dec. 9-12, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio

Division I, Junior and Cadet

January North American Cup

Jan. 7-10, 2022 in San Jose, California

Division I, Parafencing, Junior and Veteran Age

Junior Olympic Championships

February 18-21, 2022, Salt Lake City, Utah

Junior, Cadet, and Junior Team

March North American Cup

March 4-7, 2022 in Richmond, VA

Y14, Y12, Y10, Veteran Age and Veteran Open

Division I / Parafencing National Championships and April NAC

April 21-24, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina

Championships: Division I, Division I Team and Parafencing

NAC: Junior, Cadet, and Division II

These competitions present the most direct path to qualifying, though divisional and regional paths are a smart and the best choice for many fencers. 

The bottom line is that it doesn’t matter how you qualify, just that you qualify! This year presents a totally different set of challenges from last year, but it also represents a whole new bevy of opportunities for fencers. Fencing Summer Nationals and the July Challenge represent the highest level in domestic fencing competition, and the whole experience is a riveting one that fuels growth both inside and outside of fencing. 

We cannot encourage you enough to pursue qualification. Even youth fencers who are relatively new to the sport can benefit tremendously from participating in this process. There’s still tons of time to make plans with your coach, create reachable goals, and meet us in Minnesota in July!