League City fencers earned multiple podium finishes at the Rogue Fencers Guild's fall epee tournament Saturday, Oct. 3.
The Red Court, held at the League City Community Center at 400 S. Kansas, drew competitors from clubs across the region. Fencers traveled from Lake Jackson, San Antonio, Katy and the Kingwood area of Houston to face local athletes in five divisions, KGTX 7 reported. Admission was free for spectators.
The Rogue Fencers Guild, a USA Fencing member club, estimated about 93% of USA Fencing members are unrated. That meant most competitors at the tournament were working toward their first letter rating from the national governing body.
Michael Wessing of RFG-League City won the Y10 youth division. League City fencers Emory Pierson and Leo Fan tied for third behind Melanie Kosmicki of East Texas Viking, a club based in the Kingwood area.
In Women's Unrated Epee, Sunshine Charrier of Brazosport Fencing Club in Lake Jackson took first. Three RFG-League City fencers filled the remaining spots: Ksenia Shelkova finished second, and Elise Gano and Lana Lanzara tied for third.
Reese Rooke of RFG-Alvin won the Men's Unrated Epee and earned an E2026 rating from USA Fencing. Mike Rowe of Olympian Fencing Club in San Antonio placed second. Nathan Vrubel of Brazosport and Brian McGill of RFG-Deer Park tied for third.
The Y12 youth division went to Adrian Dunton of RFG-Alvin. Asher Perea, who competes at the guild's Alvin and League City branches, finished second. Braxton Pulido of RFG-Deer Park and Oliver Pierson of RFG-League City tied for third.
In the E & Under Mixed Epee, the highest-rated division at the tournament, Ryuki Suyama of Dragon Heart Fencing in Katy took first and advanced from an E2026 rating to a D2026. Nathan Wirkkala of Brazosport finished second and renewed his E2026 rating. RFG fencer Mason Elkin of Santa Fe placed third and also renewed his E2026 rating.
Winners of each senior event received a sword. It's a Rogue Fencers Guild tradition.
The guild's next tournament, the Mirabeau Lamar Memorial, is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 21, at the Dow Active Complex in Deer Park.
