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Look who is in Chicago Tribune!!!

mikhail — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:16:24 +0000

NU’s Sarkisova can’t be foiled
Dayana Sarkisova’s family narrative is a microcosm of the cataclysmic changes and chaos that accompanied the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union two decades ago.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-spt-0121-hersh-northwestern-fencer–20120121,0,3186000.column

Third Annual Grand Rapids Youth Cup will be help at GRAFA on November 20th, 2011

mikhail — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:30:22 +0000

Grand Rapids Fencing Academy (GRAFA), located close to the Grand River on the NW side of Grand Rapids, is proud to announce and invite you to attend its 3rd annual Grand Rapids Youth Fencing Cup. Fencers from all over the Midwest gather to compete and earn medals at this anticipated event. Chicago, Indiana and Ohio are some of the neighboring states that have fencers travel to Grand Rapids on this day. This tournament has been a milestone for many fencers who have gone on to compete successfully at the State and National level. It is a chance for fencers to improve their ranks and sharpen their skills because of the number and caliber of fencers who gather to compete. Events are held for Youth 10, Youth 12 and Youth 14.GRAFA is home to a club of fencers who are of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. It offers classes and private lessons in foil and epee along with opportunity to compete at the local, state and national level.
The first thing you’ll notice when you walk into GRAFA is the instantaneous hospitality of the staff, coaches and fencers. As one parent put it, “When I left after my first visit to the Academy, I thought that this was a place I felt comfortable bringing our daughter. The atmosphere and level of professionalism felt healthy.” GRAFA prides itself on giving its best instruction to all of its students at all levels.
No matter what your sport, if you are curious to learn more about the of fencing, if you are looking for something new to discover please stop by our tournament or any other time of the year and meet the coaches and staff.

Top Eight Fencers in each event will be awarded trophies and medals.
As this became our tradition, Top Three Fencers in each event will be awarded the prizes and Top Eight Fencers in each event will be awarded our collectable Grand Rapids Youth Cup Sweatshirts.
At registration, each participant will receive our collectable third pin in the Youth Cup Series to add to their collection.

Events Scheduled:
Unrated Y12 Mixed Foil – 10 AM
Unrated Y10 Mixed Foil – 12:00 PM
Y14 Mixed Foil – 2 PM

Congratulations Michael Mauer

Allyson — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:40:08 +0000

Michael Mauer earned his National Rank “E” at Liberty Lakes. Congratulations Michael!

Congratulations Alexa Prasher

Allyson — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:39:12 +0000

Alexa Prasher (12 Y.O) took 5th in Y14 IN syc IN LOUISVILLE, KY. Great Job Alexa!

Chicago Lakeshore RFC Tournament Results

Allyson — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 17:36:23 +0000

Congratulations to all our fencers who participated!

Y10 Mixed

Ely, Alexandru UFO – 1 place
DeBack, Maximus GRAFA – 2 place

Y10 Girls

Novoseltseva, Elizabeth GRAFA – 2nd
Novoseltsena, Anna GRAFA – 3 rd

Y12 Mixed

Prasher Alexa, GRAFA – 1st
Banburry Justine GRAFA – 7th
Y12 Girls

Prasher Alexa, GRAFA – 1st
Banburry Justine GRAFA – 3rd

Y14 Mix

Prasher Alexa, GRAFA – 2nd

Y 14 Girls

Prasher Alexa, GRAFA – 1st

Grand Rapids Native Awarded College Fencing 360.com National Fencer of the Week

Allyson — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:19:35 +0000

Grand Rapids, Mich., February 1, 2011 – Northwestern sophomore women’s foilist Dayana Sarkisova (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Notre Dame senior men’s sabreist Avery Zuck (Beaverton, Ore.) have been named national fencers of the week for Feb. 21-28, 2011, as presented by CollegeFencing360.com (CF360).

Sarkisova and Zuck headline the CF360 Primetime Performers of the Week, a group of 13 honorees which also includes the inaugural College Fencing Rookies of the Week – Penn freshman men’s epeeist Clifford Fishler (Great Neck, N.Y.) and Ohio State freshman women’s foilist Katarzyna Dabrowa (Wroclaw, Poland) – along with nine other fencers who excelled on a high level during the past week of action.

The Primetime Performer designation – awarded regularly on sister sites CollegeSoccer360com and CollegeBaseball360.com, in addition to being a lead feature on the soon-to-be-launched CollegeSports360.com hub site – seeks to recognize achievement based primarily on situational factors, and not solely on raw stats. Selection for the CF360 weekly awards are based on any/all of the following “primetime” criteria:

• In general, preference is given based on the quality of the opponent and situational factors involved in the fencer’s accomplishments.
• Exhibited strong leadership and/or involved in clutch performances, such as match-winning bouts, noteworthy upsets, etc.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Bonus consideration is given for key performances away from team’s home facility.

The original press release can be seen on CollegeFencing360.com at http://www.collegefencing360.com/awards-2011.html

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About the Grand Rapids Fencing Academy:
The mission of the GRAFA is to develop each fencer to his or her ability and to promote the sportsmanship, passion, and camaraderie of fencing within the West Michigan community.

About the West Michigan Sports Commission:
The mission of the West Michigan Sports Commission is to promote Michigan’s West Coast as the premier venue for hosting a diverse level of youth and amateur sporting events, enhancing the economy and quality of life in the region.

GRAFA CLOSED TONIGHT!!!

Allyson — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 17:24:12 +0000

Good evening! GRAFA will be closed tonight Tuesday January 17th do to bad weather conditions. Please stay safe inside tonight. If you would like to make up, beginning fencers can come on Wed or Thurs (6pm-7pm) and advanced fencers can come Wed or Thursday (7pm-9pm). Thanks and stay warm!

Dayana Sarkisova becomes first Wildcat foilist to garner first-team All-American honors.

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:00:29 +0000

2010 NCAA Fencing Championships Women’s Results

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Freshman Dayana Sarkisova (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest
Hills Central) capped an impressive debut season with a third-place finish
at the 2010 NCAA Fencing Championships, becoming the first Northwestern
foilist to capture first-team All-American honors and the fourth fencer in
program history to do so. Northwestern finished eighth at the national
championships, marking the 11th-consecutive season head coach Laurie
Schiller’s squad has finished among the nation’s top-10.

Sarkisova posted a 20-3 record through the round robin pool play, earning
the number two seed in the semifinals before falling to Penn State’s Doris
Willette to capture third. It is tied for the highest national finish by a
Wildcat, matching Katie Rudkin’s third-place result in the epée in 2002.
Sarkisova is now part of an elite group, joining Vivian Imaizumi (sabre -
2000) and Rudkin (epée – 2001 and 2002) as the fourth first-team
All-American in Northwestern history.

She also became the first fencer in West Michigan to medal in a NCAA Championship tournament.

In recognition of this awesome accomplishment Dayana has been named “Athlete of the Week” at Northwestern University.

Fencing Camps Announcement

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:01:19 +0000

Mark your calendars and get your sign up sheets ready. GRAFA has an exciting spring and summer planned for fencing camps. We will be hosting our traditional fencing camps in the spring and summer, as well as a new series involving internationally renowned fencers who will join us to teach camps during the summer. Find out more on our camps page.

Summer Solstice: June 25-27

Old Friends Reunite for Fencing and Fun series:
These camps are for all ages.

June 14 – June 18. at University of Chicago, IL with Ilgar Mamedov, 2 time Olympic champion
August 16- August 20 at University of Chicago, IL with Philippe Omnes

More info and registration links on our camps page or Contact us about the camp.

GRAFA now on Facebook!

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:48:05 +0000

The Grand Rapids Advanced Fencing Academy is now on Facebook! If you are as well, join us! We will use our page to post events, updates, and help organize activities! This page is for fencers, parents and prospective GRAFA family members as well! Feel free to organize rides or other such collaborations! Enjoy!