Over 140 fencers found themselves in Red Deer recently, competing in the 2011 Alberta Fencing Association provincial championship.

The Red Deer Fencing Club hosted the 22-event tournament, with local fencers winning 11 medals, including four gold and four bronze.

“Three weapons categories, with multiple age divisions, provided everyone with the opportunity to participate within their peer group,” said Red Deer Fencing Club president Norman Wiebe.

“That being said, RDFC members are typically doing well in their age divisions, and usually competing in higher age groups as well.”

Riley Norman was the top fencer in the under-13 group, winning gold, while Joshua Ballantyne took silver.

In the under-15 women’s epee, Greer McIvor won bronze, her sister Meagan also won bronze, in the under-17 women’s epee, and Karren Lyver added another bronze for the ladies in the women’s epee.

In the under-15 men’s epee, it was Thomas Lyver winning gold, defeating friend and classmate Dakota Wohl, who settled for silver.

Zac Zanussi was the only double medalist, winning gold in the under-17 men’s epee and silver in the under-20 men’s epee.

“Considering that Zac fenced three events over the course of the weekend, there was little time that he wasn’t on the piste, so it was a real test of endurance as well. And Petar Toshkov, our head coach, dominated the men’s epee, taking gold handily,” said Weibe.

“This is a great honour for RDFC, having another Provincial Champion added to the AFA list. Congratulations to all of our participants, as everyone worked hard, not only on the piste, but in helping to make the tournament a success.”

David Coates wrapped up the medal haul for Red Deer, winning bronze in the veteran men’s epee.

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