PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Alex Goebel (center), won the Cadet tournament of the NJ Division, US Fencing Association, Junior Olympic Qualifier on Sunday, November 26.
Coach Sean McAuliffe of Riverview Fencing Academy (RFA) in Pompton Lakes was on hand in support of the team at this national qualifier event. Training teammate Dash Foley-Wilkins (right) placed 6th in the event. Alex and Dash are Epee fencers with RFA.
Goebel won in dramatic fashion winning his first elimination bout in a sudden death affair. In his final bout for the gold medal, Alex was down 5 – 0 and then 7 -1 before tying the bout at the end of the second period 10 – 10 and then finish with a heart-pounding 13 – 15 victory.
The Junior Olympics are considered to be the USA Fencing Championship for Cadets (U17) and Juniors (U20) in all three weapons, Epee, Foil and Sabre. Fifteen year old Alex Goebel will have his work cut out for himself as he competes against the best in country. New Jersey is renowned as a hotbed of fencing in the USA for high Schools and clubs. The level of competition in NJ gives Alex excellent preparation for this national event. Cadet fencers from the NJ Division include Kyle Golobish and Anitya Kuman from the Princeton-Hillsborough YMCA Fencing Club and Clark Kokenge from the Medeo Fencing Club who also qualified at the Junior level. Others top talent from the NJ Division qualified based on points earned at nationally sanctioned events during the year.
Aside from the Junior Olympics Alex will compete for his third year with Coach Michael Malecki and the Morris Catholic fencing team. Last year, Alex earned district honorable mention and hopes to build on that success this Winter season. Alex credits his excellent coaching at Riverview Fencing Academy, Morris Catholic and the Drew University Fencing Summer Camp for his success to date.
This is the second year that Alex will attend the Junior Olympics. This year’s USA Fencing Association, National Junior Olympics tournament will be help February 16 – 19 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center, Memphis, TN.
Alex is a junior attending Morris Catholic.
