For the first time in its eight years of existence, the Rose Condon
Memorial Fencing Tournament will feature wheelchair fencing.
Rose Condon event returns with new look
By Scott Ferrell
The eighth Rose Condon Memorial Fencing Tournament will have a different look this year when it begins today at the Bossier Civic Center in Bossier City.
For the first time, wheelchair fencing is included in the two-day event that begins at 8:30 a.m. each day.
"I think it's going to be great," said tournament spokeswoman Sharron Settlemire. "We're going to have 10 fencers. This will be (today) about 9 o'clock. It's real exciting for us to be able to offer this event.
"It's the first time we've had wheelchair fencing so we're real excited about that."
The Rose VIII also has another impressive field.
"It's a very strong field," Settlemire said. "And we also have an international and national group of referees to referee the event and we have an Olympic armorer coming here."
Among those competing in the tournament is fencer Evelyn Scarborough.
Scarborough, a Caddo Magnet product, is the reigning Division 1-A national women's epee champion. She is fencing for the Caddo-Bossier Foundation for Sword Sports.
Magnet will have several participants in the tournament including coach Rob Candiloro.
Magnet product Scott Jennings, now a member of the Tulane fencing team, is also scheduled to participate in this weekend's event.
Among the national fencers to watch is Matt Zich of New York in sabre. Mike Anderson is one of the fencers to watch in epee and Cathy Latimer in women's sabre is one to watch as well.
The event is also bringing a list of top-flight referees to Bossier City. Three internationally rated officials will work the tournament including Gerrie Baumgart of Denver, Amgad Badawi of Dallas and Mary Frye of Philadelphia.
Duke fencing coach Alex Beguinet and Olympic Games armorer Dan DeChaine are also expected in attendance this weekend.
All the proceeds from entry fees, T-shirt sales, concessions and silent auction go to the Rose Condon Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Rose Condon was a 1999 graduate of Caddo Magnet High School who sustained fatal injuries in an automobile accident.
If you go
WHAT: Rose Condon Memorial Fencing Tournament
WHEN: Today-Sunday, event begins at 8i:30 a.m.
WHERE: Bossier Civic Center, Bossier City
ADMISSION: Free