Divisional Qualifier Important Information 2025-26 JOs

 

Dear Division Members, For division qualifiers held after the regular entry fee deadline of November 5, 2025 but before the qualification deadline of December 10, 2025, fencers who intend to attempt qualification through these competitions should register prior to the regular entry fee deadline to take advantage of standard pricing.  The Illinois Division qualifier is set to be held prior to the regular entry fee deadline, on November 2, 2025. To ensure fairness and transparency in light of the shift in the Junior Olympics dates for this season, if a fencer fails to qualify at their respective division qualifier, provided it is held after the regular fee entry deadline and before the qualification deadline the following will be applicable: If registered for only one event, the event fee, the tournament, and administrative fees will be refunded. In the event this is applicable for a given athlete, they should email nationalevents@usafencing.org to request a full refund. If registered and qualified for other events, only the event fee for the non-qualified event will be refunded.  Please see below for the full set of refund policies for this year's JOs to help ensure clear communication. For Championship tournaments, the online system generates separate emails for each event once entry is approved. It is the fencer’s responsibility to verify that the Championship events registered for have been officially approved by the National Office. Championship eligibility confirmation from clubs, divisions, regional tournament organizers are not considered official until verified by USA Fencing. A refund of the full Event fee will be processed by the National Office for any events where an athlete fails to qualify. Tournament fees and Admin fees are considered nonrefundable. Event fee refunds are processed 4-6 weeks after the tournament. There are no event fee refunds after the posted deadline for the tournament. Refund Policy Exception – Qualification-Dependent Events If a qualifying competition takes place after the regular fee entry deadline but before the qualification deadline and an athlete does not qualify: Single-Event Registration: If registered for only one event, the event fee, the tournament and administrative fees will be refunded. In the event this is applicable for a given athlete, they should email nationalevents@usafencing.org to request a full refund. Multiple-Event Registration: If registered and qualified for other events, only the event fee for the non-qualified event will be refunded. Withdrawal Refund Policy For a refund of 50% of the event fee(s), all withdrawals must be received by the National Office by the posted withdrawal deadline. Registration and processing fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable. To withdraw from a national tournament, email withdrawals@usafencing.org with the athlete/team name, member number, and events from which you are withdrawing. No event fee refunds will be given for withdrawals after the posted withdrawal deadline. To withdraw from a local or regional tournament, please email the listed tournament organizer. Contact information is located on their registration page. Regional withdrawal and refund policies may vary from tournament to tournament but can not be more stringent than the national policy listed above. This information is being provided on behalf of USA Fencing National Office to ensure athletes are fully informed as they prepare for the 2026 Junior Olympic Championships. Please reach out to the National Office if you have any questions. Sincerely, USA Fencing

 

2025-2026 Illinois Division Competition Schedule

Here is the Illinois Division 2025-2026 Competition Schedule!

This schedule of events was formed at the Illinois Division Annual Meeting on August 10, 2025. Look for more local tournaments to be added as the season goes on. 

Please consult your high school coaches for official GLHSFC info. Be sure to check askfred.net for registration details on local tournaments and the USA Fencing Tournament Browser for Regional and National events.

See you on the strip!

 

2024-2025 Illinois Division Competition Schedule

Here is the Illinois Division 2024-2025 Competition Schedule!

This schedule of events was formed at the Illinois Division Annual Meeting on July 28, 2024. Look for more local tournaments to be added as the season goes on. It includes local events as well as all North American Cups, Summer Nationals, and all the SYC, SJCC, RYC, RJCC events that are scheduled in our region. GLHSFC High School events are noted for reference and are based only on past seasons' dates, and the NCAA events are not known at this time. Please consult your high school coaches for official GLHSFC info.

Be sure to check askfred.net for registration details on local tournaments. Regional and National events, along deadlines, etc. are posted on the USAFencing.org Tournament Browser.

See you on the strip!

2023-2024 Illinois Division Competition Schedule

 

2023-2024 Illinois Division Competition Schedule

Here is the Illinois Division 2023-2024 Competition Schedule!

This schedule of events was formed at the Illinois Division Annual Meeting on July 23, 2023. Look for more local tournaments to be added as the season goes on. It includes local events as well as all North American Cups, Summer Nationals, and all the SYC, RYC, RJCC events that are scheduled in our region. GLHSFC High School events are noted for reference and are based only on past seasons' dates, and the NCAA events are not known at this time. Please consult your high school coaches for official GLHSFC info.

Be sure to check askfred.net for registration details on local tournaments. Regional and National events, along deadlines, etc. are posted on the USAFencing.org Tournament Browser.

See you on the strip!

Joy! The Annual Meeting of the Illinois Division has been created on Zoom! If you are an Illinois Division member of USA Fencing we welcome you to participate! It's Sunday July 23 at 2pm. We will elect officers and discuss business related to the Division. At the end, the tournament hosts will propose dates for the new season's local tournaments. You can join via the following link. There will be a waiting room so that all entrants can be validated prior to entrance.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting!

Here's a link to the agenda!

Here's a link to the new bylaws we'll vote on!

Here's a link to the Competition Schedule we'll be working on!

2022-2023 Illinois Division Competition Schedule

Here is the Illinois Division 2022-2023 Competition Schedule!

This is the schedule of events that was formed at the Illinois Division Annual Meeting on July 24, 2022. In addition to local events held by clubs, it includes all North American Cups, Summer Nationals, and all the SYC, RYC, RJCC events that are scheduled in our region. GLHSFC High School events are noted for reference, but the NCAA events are not known at this time. We will update this spreadsheet as more details are known.

Be sure to check askfred.net for registration details on local tournaments. Regional and National events, along with Covid protocols, deadlines, etc. are posted on the USAFencing.org Tournament Browser.

See you on the strip!

Illinois Division Annual Meeting

The Division's annual meeting will be held on Zoom again this year.

Here is the info. Upon entering the Meeting ID and Passcode in Zoom, you will be admitted to the waiting room. Each participant will be admitted from the waiting room individually once verified.

Topic: USA Fencing Illinois Division Annual Meeting

Time: Sunday July 24, 2022 11:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2438676800?pwd=bjNsNk9VZTdqOEtyRE5ueFpFeXdjUT09

Meeting ID: 243 867 6800

Passcode: 519026

USA Fencing Cancellation Policy Reminder

Greetings, it’s Meredith Delgado. You know me as a bout committee chair both here in Illinois and at Regional and National events I want to remind all of you about the National Withdrawal policy as we head to Minneapolis this weekend. 

In June 2021 a policy was put into place that requires a fencer who knows they will not be competing in their National events to notify USA Fencing of their withdrawal the day prior to their event no later than 5 pm (tournament time zone). Failure to notify them could result in a fine of $250 and suspension of membership until it is paid. 

The notification is simple. It’s as easy as sending an email to withdrawals@usafencing.org.  Include the fencers name, their event(s) and their membership number.  Include a brief description of your reasoning for withdrawal.

It is also important to notify USA Fencing immediately if you need to withdraw the day of your event.  Send the email as soon as you know you are not fencing.  

If you are in the venue and become ill or injured make sure to go to Sports Medicine and have the appropriate paperwork completed.  If your event is starting immediately you or someone should notify the tournament bout committee chair right away so they know you are having your paperwork completed.  With later starts it’s best to visit both Sports Medicine and the Bout Committee Chair. 

It is always best to send your email immediately to USA Fencing as per above once you know you are not going to fence, for whatever reason.  I can’t promise you won’t get the fine, but communication is key to this policy.  

Coming Soon - Referee Clinics featuring Fernando Delgado and Sean Shumate

The Illinois Division is sponsoring two remarkable seminar opportunities in November.

Do you watch fencing and sometimes feel confused by or disagree with the referee's calls?

Are you a fencer yourself who wishes to understand the rules more deeply so you can improve your game?

Certified Referee Instructors
Fernando Delgado and Sean Shumate

Are you someone who has enjoyed the thrill of competition and now wants to give back to the fencing community?

Are you already a referee who needs to attend a seminar to remain current?

If you are reading this, it is very likely that you would benefit from and ENJOY attending one of our upcoming referee clinics, which are absolutely FREE to Illinois Division members of USA Fencing.

The clinics will both be held in vibrant fencing clubs in the Chicago area. The first is scheduled for November 7th at the Bronzeville Fencing Academy and will feature Fernando Delgado, an experienced foil, epee, and saber fencer, referee, and coach. Fernando Delgado is a 25 year USA Fencing ranked national referee and local organizer of regional, national, and Saber World Cups. If you wish to be evaluated for a referee rating after attending, you can do so the following Saturday. You can learn more about this clinic and preregister on askfred by clicking here.

The second clinic will be held at Fencing Center of Chicago on November 14th. It will be conducted by Sean Shumate, whose extensive credentials include: He's an international referee rated B by the FIE in epee and saber; he was a referee at the London, Rio, and Tokyo Paralympic games; and he has been a referee at NCAA Championships. Mr. Shumate is a current member of the USA Fencing Referee Commission focusing on Referee Development and is on the Domestic Assigning Committee. He's also been spotted coordinating referees at NACs. Learn more and preregister here.

Join the fun. Come to a clinic. Take the exam. Get observed. Wear the blue blazer! 

Or... just come to learn and enjoy the company.

If you'd like to know more about becoming a USA Fencing referee, click here, where you'll also find links to the official rule book and study guide.

Illinois Fencer Named National Champion

August 31, 2021

Judith "Jude" Offerle has returned home to Illinois as National Champion in Veteran 70 Women's Foil, having won GOLD at the USA Fencing Veteran National Championships in Atlanta over the weekend. Offerle has earned a berth on the World Team for the 16th time in foil and for the 4th time in saber, having also placed 6th in Vet 70 Women's Saber at the tournament.

Ms. Offerle began her fencing journey one half-century ago in 1971 at the University of Notre Dame, fencing for the legendary Coach Michael DeCicco, a long ago inductee into the USA Fencing Hall of Fame. Women could only fence foil then. Notre Dame won the women's team event in the 1974 Collegiate Midwest regionals, the precursor to the NCAA regionals. However, women were not invited to the NCAAs for another 6 years.

Jude currently fences at RedStar Fencing Club Chicago and is coached by Peter Habala. She has fenced and earned medals all over the world, including an individual bronze in saber and a team gold at the Veteran World Championships in France in 2015. When she is not fencing, you may see Ms. Offerle sporting a navy blazer as a national referee. 

While living in New York Ms. Offerle was an officer of the Westchester/Rockland Division for more than a decade through the 1980s. Her coach in New York was another USA Fencing Hall of Famer, Allan Kwartler. She took a pause in competition when she moved to the Chicago area in 1992, but resumed when her son began fencing for New Trier High School and Notre Dame.

Congratulations on becoming National Champion, Jude, and thank you for all you've contributed to the sport of fencing in Illinois and beyond!

Breaking- The FIE Veteran World Championships were to be held in Daytona Beach, Florida in October 2021, but the status of the tournament is uncertain at this time. An announcement was made this week postponing the event due to travel restrictions presented by Covid-19 that make it difficult or impossible for fencers from around the world to enter the United States.

2021-2022 Illinois Division Competition Schedule

The Illinois Division is pleased to present the 2021-2022 Competition Schedule!

This is the schedule of events that was formed at the Illinois Division Annual Meeting on August 22, 2021. Please note that the NCAA schedule and the High School schedule had not been finalized at that time, but we intend to update this spreadsheet as more details are known.

Be sure to check askfred.net for registration details on local tournaments. Regional and National events, along with Covid protocols, deadlines, etc. are posted on the USAFencing.org Tournament Browser.

See you on the strip!

Illinois Division Annual Meeting

The Division's annual meeting will be held on Zoom again this year.

Here is the info. Upon entering the Meeting ID and Passcode in Zoom, you will be admitted to the waiting room. Each participant will be admitted from the waiting room individually once verified.

Topic: USA Fencing Illinois Division Annual Meeting

Time: Aug 22, 2021 12:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2438676800...

Meeting ID: 243 867 6800

Passcode: 519026

Covid-19 Protocol for Fencing Center of Chicago ROC, VET & RJCC May 22-23 in Northbrook

With the CDC in the news recently relaxing its Covid-19 guidance, it's important to note that USA Fencing has thus far NOT changed any of the health and safety protocols that are in place for fencing events.

As a reminder, according to the tournament overview page on USA Fencing, here is what you can expect at the Fencing Center of Chicago ROC, VET & RJCC this weekend in Northbrook.

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Dear Fencers!

Fencing Center of Chicago is glad to announce that we are hosting one of the first ROC & RJCC tournaments as part of USA Fencing's Return to Competition schedule on May 22 - 23, 2021.

Schedule of events is subject to change yet due to Covid-19, but we will to allow all fencers who wish to register to have the chance to participate.

If should the tournament need to be cancelled regarding Covid-19 any refund of fees is subject to USA Fencing.

Check-In: We will be open at 7:00 am. Valid USA Fencing membership card, birth certificate or passport are required for check in.

1.) The temperature will be checked at the entrance to the building. The check-in worker will wear a face covering mask, and gloves.

2.) Hand sanitizer and all disinfectants will be available on the check-in desk.

3.) Venue will be provided with Air Purifiers, sanitizing stations and all the necessary protection standards will be observed.

4.) All participants, referees and all tournament's staff must have face covering masks during the competition. There is no exception.

5.) After each day's competition all facility's surfaces and equipment which were used during the tournament will be cleaned and sanitized.

6.) Everyone must practice social distancing.

7.) No parents, coaches, or spectators are allowed in the designated fencing area. NO EXCEPTIONS. Only ONE coach is allowed to assist a fencer during DE bouts. Coaches will need to provide their Coach membership cards and stand in a special designated area. • Fencers 17 and under may be accompanied by ONE PERSON ONLY and for DE bouts only! • Fencers 18 and older can not bring an additional person. We will have the colored wristband will be given daily to designated adult, accompanying the minor inside the designated fencing area for DE's BOUTS ONLY! No sharing wristband allowed. • Violators will be escorted out of the venue immediately. There will be a strict limit of one additional person per athlete allowed in the venue - either a parent or coach, but not both.

Please be advised that there will be no changing rooms it means fencers have to come half-dressed in their fencing gear.

Free parking.

Please do not share equipment such as weapons, body cords, fencing masks, gloves or uniforms, with others.

No food will be allowed in the fencing designated area. • The food time will be available outside the venue on the parking lot only.

Top eight will receive their medals!

This tournament will have live results available at: http://www.fencingtimelive.com

Blue Gauntlet - will be the sponsor of the tournament.

Any Question regarding this ROC & RJCC email to: fcc@fencingcenterofchicago.com or ph.# 847 292 1146.

We still might have some updates and if there will be any changes we will send email to all participants prior to the tournament.

Thank you for your cooperation.

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2020 - 2021 Illinois Division Competition Calendar

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Illinois Division was unable to publish its Competition Calendar at the close of its annual meeting in August 2020 as it has in past seasons.

This is the calendar of tournaments sanctioned by the Division for the remainder of the 2020 - 2021 season. Also included are all National and Region 2 tournaments held by USA Fencing. This document will be updated as additional tournaments are sanctioned by the Illinois Division or as tournaments are added, canceled, or revised due to the changing Covid conditions.

Please consult askFRED.net or the Regional and National Events calendars at USAFencing.org for current details on each tournament.

USA Fencing Illinois Division Competition Calendar

2021 Junior Olympics Qualifier Tournament

The Illinois Division of USA Fencing has scheduled its annual Junior Olympics Qualifier Tournament for May 2, 2021 at Fencing Center of Chicago in Park Ridge.

Events contested are Junior Olympic Qualifiers for Cadet (U17) and Junior (U20) MS,MF, ME, WS, WF, and WE.

For more information please see https://askfred.net/Events/moreInfo.php?tournament_id=47823

In case you are wondering whether you need to fence in the Division Qualifier, here is the complete info from USA Fencing on how to qualify for Junior Olympics.

Junior Olympic Championships (Cadet - born 2004-2007)

· Fencers must meet age eligibility AND

· Be on the Cadet National Rolling Point Standings (NRPS) at the regular fee entry deadline OR

· Earn at least 110 regional points on either the Cadet or Junior Regional Point Standings (Total points = an athlete’s top two point results) OR

· Be in the top 25 percent (round up) of their division’s Cadet JO qualifying competition for the 2019-20 or 2020-21 season OR

· Be in the top 25 percent (round up) of their division’s Junior JO qualifying competition for the 2019-20 or 2020-21 season. (Junior event must occur first) OR

· Rank in top 25 percent of the Cadet Regional Point Standings list during the current season OR

· For EPEE ONLY: the top 3 (on Modern Pentathlon Point Standings) USA Fencing Modern Pentathlon fencers will be eligible to compete in the JO epee events without qualifying by any other means. USA Modern Pentathlon fencers MUST be USA Fencing members


Junior Olympic Championships (Junior - born 2001-2007)

· Fencers must meet age eligibility AND

· Be on the Junior national rolling point standings (NRPS) at the regular fee entry deadline OR

· Earn at least 110 regional points on the Junior Regional Point Standing (Total points = an athlete’s top two point results) OR

· Be in the top 25 percent (round up) of their division’s Junior JO qualifying competition for the 2019-20 or 2020-21 season OR

· Rank in top 25 percent of the Junior Regional Point Standings list during the current season OR

· For EPEE ONLY: the top 3 (on Modern Pentathlon Point Standings) USA Fencing Modern Pentathlon fencers will be eligible to compete in the JOI epee events without qualifying by any other means. USA Modern Pentathlon fencers MUST be USA Fencing members

2021 Summer Nationals Qualifier Tournament

The Illinois Division of USA Fencing has scheduled its annual Summer Nationals Qualifier Tournament for May 1, 2021 at Fencing Center of Chicago in Park Ridge.

This Division Qualifier is a combined event of Division II and III. All fencers born in 2007 or earlier rated C and Under may fence in the event. Qualification to Division II Summer Nationals will be awarded to the top 25% of the results. Within that qualification if the fencer is rated D and Under they will also qualify for Division III Summer Nationals. The top 25% of the remaining fencers and who are rated D and Under will qualify for Division III Summer Nationals.

For more information please see https://askfred.net/Events/moreInfo.php?tournament_id=47822


In case you are wondering whether you need to fence in the Division Qualifier for Summer Nationals...

Division II National Championships

· Fencers must meet eligibility and classification requirements as of the entry deadline AND

· Place in the top 25 percent of the current, or 2019-20 (if held), season’s division qualifying competition OR

· Be on the current or 2019-20 season’s Div IA ROC Regional Point Standings OR

· Be on the current or 2019-20 Div II ROC Regional Point Standings


Division III National Championships

· Fencers must meet eligibility and classification requirements as of the entry deadline AND

· Place in the top 25 percent (round up) of the total number of “D”, “E”, or “U” fencers competing in the current, or 2019-20 (if held), season division’s Division II Qualifying competition (when Division II and Division III qualifying competition held together) OR

· If separate Division III qualifying competition in the current, or 2019-20 (if held) season held by division, then top 25 percent of the field will qualify for Division III National Championships OR

· Be on the Division IA or Division II Regional Open Circuit point standings for 2019-20 or 2020-21, if classification eligible, at the regular fee entry deadline for these Championships OR

· Place in the top 40 percent at a Div II or Div III NAC of the 2019-20 season, if held

· Qualified for Division II National Championships in current or previous season, if classification eligible

2019 - 2020 Illinois Division Competition Calendar

The following events have been sanctioned by the Illinois Division.  Check AskFRED or contact the host club for Details.

Date	Event	Host	Details
8-Sep-19	Armory Clinic with Chris Green	Marian Catholic HS, Chicago Heights
21-Sep-19	WCF Epee Tournament	Windy City Fencing	Youth
22-Sep-19	WCF Epee Tournament	Windy City Fencing	Senior Open
26-Oct-19	FCC Youth Tournament	Fencing Center of Chicago	Y10, Y12, Y14 - Foil
27-Oct-19	FCC Youth Tournament	Fencing Center of Chicago	Y10, Y12, Y14 - Epee
2-Nov-19	FCC - Foil Tournament	Fencing Center of Chicago	Open and Div 2 - Foil
3-Nov-19	WCF Epee Tournament	Windy City Fencing	Youth and Open - Epee
30-Nov-19	Junior Olympics Qualifier	New Trier - Northfield Campus	All Weapons - must meet age class requirements
1-Dec-19	IFC Fall Open Tournament	Illinois Fencers Club	Senior Mixed Open - Foil, Epee, Saber, and Y12
21-Dec-19	PFA Youth 3 Weapon Tournament	Peoria Fencing Academy	Y8, Y10 - Foil, Epee, Saber
19-Jan-20	PFA Youth Tournament	Peoria Fencing Academy	Y12, Y14 3-weapon
26-Jan-20	FCC Epee Tournament	Fencing Center of Chicago	Senior Mixed Open and Div2 - Epee
2-Feb-20	TPFC&S Balcazar - Foil Tournament	The Point Fencing Club & School	Div 3 Senior Mixed - Foil
22-Feb-20	FCC Youth Tournament	Fencing Center of Chicago	Youth - Foil and Epee
23-Feb-20	IFC Division 3 Tournament	Illinois Fencers Club	D & Under Senior Mixed - Foil, Epee, Saber, and Y12
1-Mar-20	WCF Youth and Open Epee Tournament	Windy City Fencing	Youth and Senior Mixed Open - Epee
8-Mar-20	IFC Division 2 Three Weapon Tournament	Illinois Fencers Club	C and Under senior mixed and Y12 - Foil, Epee, Saber
29-Mar-20	WCF Epee Tournament	Windy City Fencing	Youth and Senior Mixed Open - Epee
11-Apr-20	IL Division Qualifiers - Division 2 & 3, Youth	New Trier - Northfield (?)	C & Under, D & Under, Y14 - Foil, Epee, Saber
25-Apr-20	Dufour Epee Challenge	The Point Fencing Club	Senior Mixed Open - Epee
26-Apr-20	FCC - Foil Tournament	Fencers Club of Chicago	Youth and Senior Mixed Open - Foil
3-May-20	IFC Dominick Epee Challenge	Illinois Fencers Club	Senior Mixed Open, Senior Women’s, Team, Y12 - Epee
9-May-20	WCF Epee Tournament	Windy City Fencing	Senior Mixed Open - Epee
16-May-20	PFA 3-Weapon Cadet & Junior Tournament	Peoria Fencing Academy	Cadet & Junior - Foil, Epee, Saber
17-May-20	PFA 3-Weapon Cadet & Junior Tournament	Peoria Fencing Academy	Cadet & Junior - Foil, Epee, Saber
23-May-20	FCC Memorial Weekend Tournament	Fencers Club of Chicago	Senior Mixed Open and Y12, Y14 - Foil
24-May-20	FCC Memorial Weekend Tournament	Fencers Club of Chicago	Senior Mixed Open and Y12, Y14 - Epee
30-May-20	PFA 3-Weapon Tournament	Peoria Fencing Academy	Senior Mixed Open and C & Under - Foil, Epee, Saber
31-May-20	IFC Vet & Youth Tournament	Illinois Fencers Club	Youth - Foil, Epee, Saber, and Vet Senior Mixed - Epee
6-Jun-20	WCF Epee Tournament	Windy City Fencing	Youth - Epee
7-Jun-20	WCF Epee Tournament	Windy City Fencing	Senior Mixed Open - Epee