August 23, 2009
Stab-N-Grab #19



Kris Laube

August 23rd Stabbers
Alan Umanos
Alecz Schmelzle
Alexandra Clinton
Austin Clinton
Ava Umanos
Blaze Morimando
Deanna Causey
Dominic Morimando
Edwin Huitron
Eric Clark
Everett Hilke
Filip Preradovic
Frank Van Dyke
Greg Beck
Ja Manapon
Jack Umanos
Jessica Williams
John Umanos
Ken Colgate
Kris Laube
Libby Garry
Lisa Story
Michele Tayengeo
Philip Toussaint
Ramzey Mendoza
Ray Floirendo
Sean "Tank" Anderson
Sirley Luna
Stephanie Mendoza

Total Fencers 29
New Stab-N-Grab Record!



There are two words that describe the 19th Stab-N-Grab, Chaos and fun!
We broke the existing Stab-N-Grab record by one person. The existing
record was 28 people. On Sunday we found 29 people willing to take a stab
(sorry, bad fencing pun) at winning the Pierre Reposte trophy. It was an
amazing thing to see. Everyone was excited and ready for action. There
were two people who showed up who were not expecting to be suited up but
found themselves on the stabbing end of an epee. At 2pm we were two people
shy of the record. Austin's sister Alexandra stepped up so we would meet
the existing record. All we had to do was find her a pair of sneakers and a pair
of sox. The search began to find that last person to break the record. Finally,
Dominic's Dad, Blaze was cajoled into suiting up and giving it a try and
we broke the record! Thanks in particular to both of them for being such
good sports. To top it all off, we had five people who were first timers as
well. We've had sixty-five people participate to date. To top it all off we
even had a new winner.


We did start a little late, much to Libby's chagrin, but five people were
running late and we were still recuiting the last two people at two o'clock.
A little after two everyone crowded into the center of the room and the card
selection for the order began. It took several minutes just for everyone to
pick a card, nevermind getting everyone on the tableau in the right order.
At one point Libby almost lost it and told everyone to shut up! Rather humorous
to say the least. Finally everyone was suited up and signed up. With so many
people we had to run two strips, and at some points we had three strips going.

Eric and Stephanie were the first bout with Eric moving past the novice fencer.
Ray, after a long absence, faced Ja, a regular and twice winner with Ja moving
up. Filip and Libby were next with Libby dropping by one touch. Which considering
Libby was trying to keep order with the loud and excited crowd was probably a
good thing. Not sure she could keep order and managed to keep winning. Ava and
Jessica were up with Jessica winning. Jack, the smallest fencer in the group
fenced Blaze, who was one of the volunteers to reach our goal. Jack was amazing,
fencing with great energy and enthusiasm and proved that some lessons are better
than none and got to move up to the next round. Dominic fenced Michele, Michele's
longer reach served her well and she moved up. That gets us only half way through
the first round.


Newcomer Kris had his hands full with Sirley who is always an athletic fencer.
Kris met the challenge and moved up. Deanna and Austin faced off with Austin
showing his winning ways again. The other volunteer, Alexandra faced Everett.
Everett showed no mercy to the first timer and made sure he was heading towards
the winners circle, well, winners strip. Tank and Frank (the rymthe caused much
amusement) were next with Frank using every trick to take the win. It was the
first time in a few weeks Frank actually got out of the first round. Alan got to
fence his dad, John, next. It's always fun to see families fight in a healthy
way! Alan was able to easily move up. Lisa upset Greg in a surprise win and
Greg left muttering something about Pierre Reposte, as he made his way to the beer.
Ramzey and Ken, youth against age were next with Ken's experience giving him the
advantage. And the last bout of the first round was Alecz and Phillip with Alecz
demonstrating her speed and skill to move up to round two.


Round two started off with Edwin and Eric. Eric gave it his all, but two time
winner Edwin was able to take the win. Ja and Filip were next. It was a great
match with two two time winners fencing. Today it was Ja's turn to move up.
Jessica and Jack fenced next with Jessica's longer reach topping Jack's valiant
effort. Kris took the win over Michele. Sirley and Austin were next. Sirley's
aggressive style won over Austin's more defensive stance. Frank was a little
unhappy about having to fence Everett. Frank was hoping for less of a challenge
so he could move up but he has taught Everett well and starting three touches
down was too much to overcome. Alan and Lisa were next and Alan's reach and
fleching were too much for Lisa to overcome. The final bout was Ken and Alecz.
Alecz speed and youth did topple Ken this time.


And so to round three which began with Edwin and Ja. Edwin was able to take the
win. Jessica was outmatched by Kris's incredibly fast hand and feet. Sirley, just
like Frank was overwhelmed by Everett's accurate moves. Alan was able to out
fleche Alecz, although it was a hard fought bout. Round four started with Kris
and Edwin. Everyone was holding their breath, waiting to see if Kris would defeat
Edwin or if Edwin would go for win number three. In the end, Edwin's winning
streak was broken and Kris moved up to the final round. Everett and Alan stood
across the blue lines and Everett was able to move past Alan to the final. Of the
four Umanos participating, Alan made a great showing for the family.


The final bout resulted in Kris and Everett fencing. It was a great show, each with a
completely different style. The entire room was totally focused on the final.
Each touch was cheered loudly by the crowd. In the end, first timer, Kris was
the victor and he almost shyly accepted Pierre Reposte for his photo op.

After all the excitement died down, the challenges started. "The Challenge" is
a new element of the Stab-N-Grab where anyone can challenge anyone for fifteen
touch bouts. It gave the day a sense of being a "real" competition. Frank
was challenged by three people immediately and another one after that. By the
end of the day he was exhausted but supremely happy. There were several other
challenges as well and the fencing continued unabated. Saber was also going on
in the background as some people were training for the Ironman Competition, which
will be next Saturday. It was pretty amusing to watch a couple of the hard core
epee people fence saber just like it was epee. I guess they hadn't been told
that they can use the saber as a cutting weapon, not just a stabbing weapon.


Fatality

To top it all off there was a ton of food. The room was filled with conversations
and the sounds of clashing weapons. Everyone seemed to have a great time. There
is now a binder with copies of the different Stab-N-Grab events, with write-ups
and pictures. The Stab-N-Grab wall is filled with photos of the winners. It's
incredible that what started as a way to get some extra practice on Sunday has
now turned into a weekly event with all kinds of people fencing and having a
great time. Sooo Red Rock Attitude!

There will be two Red Rock events next week. The regular Stab-N-Grab on Sunday and
on Saturday will be the first Red Rock Ironman event. All participants will fence
all three weapons. It starts at 1pm and there will be a $10 charge. It will be
run the same as the Stab-N-Grab with five touch direct elimination bouts. Each
person will fence all three weapons and the top three winners will receive a
full sized sword, like the one that will go to the person who wins five Stab-N-Grabs.


THANKS EVERYONE FOR MAKING THE
RECORD BREAKING STAB-N-GRAB AN AMAZING EVENT!

To see more photos of the most recent Stab-N-Grab events Phillip Toussaint has
been posting the the photos he has been taking. He is posting them at the
following site: FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/PHILLIPTOUSSAINT

All Stab-N-Grabs are held at Red Rock Fencing Center
Sunday afternoons from 2pm to 3pm. Contact Red Rock Fencing Center for more information
5275 S. Arville St., Suite #332, Las Vegas, NV 89118, 702-222-1901

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