Local fencers competing in national tournament

The Atlantic Fencing Academy in Tinton Falls is sending 21 fencers who qualified to the most prestigious competition of the year — The Summer National Championship of the United States Fencing Association.

Sam Tkach, Little Silver, practices at Atlantic Fencing Academy in Tinton Falls on June 29. The fencing academy is sending 21 local fencers who qualified to the Summer National Championship of the U.S. Fencing Association. ERIC SUCAR staff This competition will be held in Atlanta, Ga., through July 13. The academy’s fencers will be competing in 18 individual and team events in epee, foil and saber. They will compete in their respective age and level groups: 12U, 14U, Cadet, Junior, Senior Divisions I, II, III and Veteran. Teams consist of three fencers and an alternate.

The Summer National Championship attracts more than 3,500 fencers from ages 8- 90. The Atlantic Fencing Academy fencers are well prepared and eager to bring home medals. Two internationally recognized coaches of the Atlantic Fencing Academy James B. Carpenter and Istvan Marton will accompany the team.

The participating fencers are:

Epee — Kevin Almerini of Middletown, James B. Carpenter of Middletown, Andrew Dobbie of New York City, Tom Florek of Colts Neck, Tom Hearne of Holmdel, Robert Tkach of Little Silver, Sam Tkach of Little Silver and Liam Weldon of Aberdeen;

Foil — Morgan Adkisson of Toms River, Zachary Feldman of Morganville, Jessica Gets of Morganville, Jonathan Hsu of Middletown, Annie Kim of Morganville, Jan Maceczek of Marlboro, Kelly Morris of Sea Girt, Elsa Stoff of Fair Haven, John Vaiani of Wall, Nicole Vaiani of Wall, Adrienne Yang of Colts Neck and Natalie Yang of Colts Neck; and

Saber — Katherine Kudryashov of East Brunswick.

In preparation for the nationals, the club hosted a Senior Foil & Epee Open tournament, its final of the season. More than 80 top-rated fencers from the tristate area participated in the event.

In January, the Atlantic Fencing Academy relocated to its new state-of-the-art facility at One Sheila Drive in Tinton Falls.

For more information on the academy, call 732-674-0548 or visit www.atlanticfencing. com.