National Fencing Events

Durkan Fencing Academy not only consistently qualifies athletes and teams for National level events our coaches have produced many National Champions and National Championship medalists. Our competitive program offers the training required to reach the highest levels in USA Fencing. No matter your goals, our coaches can help you reach them.

We recommend you meet with our coaches to help plan and training and competition schedule to help you qualify at compete at the National level.

National Fencing events award “National Points,” generally to the top 32 finishers. These points are used to determine the US National Team who will represent the United States at PanAmerican Fencing Championships and at Fencing World Championships. Each year there are Veteran (over 40), Cadet (under 17) and Junior (under 20) Fencing World Championships. Division 1 US Team Members will compete in the Olympics (in Olympic Years, pending team qualification) or at Fencing World Championships in non-Olympic years.

Registration for All National Events will be through the USA Fencing Events Portal.

DURKAN FENCING TIP: Only US Citizens can compete at US National Championship events, such at Junior Olympics. Non-Citizens fencing for other countries can compete at other National events such as NACs or the July Challenge.

North American Cups (NAC)

You do not need to qualify for the October, November, December and January North American Cups or NACs as long as you meet the age and eligibility requirements. For example, fencers must have an ‘A,’ ‘B’ or ‘C’ letter rating to compete at a Division 1 NAC. Youth fencers will need to qualify for the March NAC. These events provide opportunities to earn National Points.

Super Youth Circuits (SYC)

Super Youth Circuits are National events for youth fencers in the Y10, Y12 and Y14 age groups. There are several across the country each year, you do not need to qualify for SYCs — just meet the age requirements. National points are awarded to the top 32 finishers in each event. Click here for USA Fencing SYC resources. Although these events reward National Points, they are not run by USA Fencing, they are run by clubs that bid to host these events.

Super Junior Cadet Circuits (SJCC)

Super Junior Cadet Circuits are new, additional National events for Cadet and Junior fencers. Again, you only need to meet the age requirements to qualify. National points are awarded to the top 40 percent of the competitors at a .2 weight value of the National Point Tables (so less points than at Junior and Cadet NACs). Note that if you compete at more than one SJCC in a season, only your best result is counted for National Points. Click here to read more about SJCCs on the USA Fencing site.

Summer Nationals/July Challenge

The USA Fencing Summer Nationals and July Challenge is held in late June/early July each season. It is the largest fencing competition in World and serves at the US National Championships for USA Fencing Division 2, Division 3, Veteran (over 40) and youth events (Y10, Y12 and Y14).

Fencers with a letter rating of A, B, C or higher may compete in the Div 1 event at Summer Nationals. Other events require fencers to qualify.

Division IA Qualifying Paths

You can compete in Div IA Summer National with any letter rating. To qualify you need to meet one of the criteria below:

1. Earn points at a Div 1A ROC in your region by finishing in the top 40% of the competitive field (rounded up to the next higher integer) to a maximum of 64th place.

2. Be in the top 8 of your Region’s Div II Points Standings (points earned at Div 2 ROCs).

3. Place in the top 40 percent of any current season Div IA NAC.

Division II Qualifying Paths

You must have a letter rating of C, D, E or U at time of registration. (If you earn a higher letter after registering, you may still compete) and qualify by one of the methods below:

1. Earn points at a Div 1A or Div 2 ROC in your region by finishing in the top 40% of the competitive field (rounded up to the next higher integer) to a maximum of 64th place.

2. Finish in the top 40% at a Div II or Div III NAC in the current season

3. Compete in your division’s Div II/Div III Summer National Qualifier (generally held in May and wil be posted on AskFred) and finish in the top 25%. A minimum of top 3 fencers will qualify, so if only three fencers compete all three will qualify.

Division III Qualifying Paths

You Must have a letter rating of D, E or U at time of registration. (If you earn a higher letter after registering, you may still compete) and qualify by one of the methods below:

1. Earn points at a Div 1A or Div 2 ROC in your region by finishing in the top 40% of the competitive field (rounded up to the next higher integer) to a maximum of 64th place.

2. Finish in the top 40% at a Div II or Div III NAC in the current season

3. Compete in your division’s Div II/Div III Summer National Qualifier (generally held in May and will be posted on AskFred) and finish in the top 25%. A minimum of top 3 fencers will qualify, so if only three fencers compete all three will qualify.

4. If you qualified for Div II, you will also be qualified for Div III as long as you meet the eligibility for Div III (you have a D, E, or U letter rating).

Qualifying for National Youth Events

Youth North American Cup

USA Fencing hosts a Youth NAC in March each season. To qualify your child must meet the age eligibility (based on birth year) .

Youth 10 - You just need to fence in one RYC or SYC in the current season (in the weapon you want to compete in).

Youth 12 - Fence in one RYC or SYC in the current season (in the weapon you want to compete in) OR be on the Y10 or Y12 National Points lists.

Youth 14 - No qualification needed.

Junior Olympic Championships (JOs)

Junior Olympics is the National Championships for Cadet and Junior fencers, which is usually held President’s Day Weekend (February) each year. After this event, the US National Team for Cadet and Juniors is chosen. Fencers must be US Citizens and must Qualify for Junior Olympics from events held in February the prior season through early January of the current season. (Remember the USA Fencing Season is August 1 through July 31). Below are the Junior Olympic Qualifying paths:

Cadet JOs Qualifying Paths

1. Have Cadet National Points (earned at cadet NAC , junior NAC or SJCC, etc)

   ——OR——

2. Earn at least 110 Cadet OR Junior Regional Points (earned at RJCCs, you can only earn points in YOUR region. New Jersey is in Region 3. Also, only your two best results are counted.)

   ——OR——

3. Compete in your division’s JO Qualifier (generally held in November or December and will be posted on AskFred) and finish in the top 25%. A minimum of top 3 fencers will qualify, so if only three fencers compete all three will qualify.

Juniors JOs Qualifying Paths

1. Have Junior National Points (earned at junior NAC , Div 1 NAC or SJCC, etc)

   ——OR——

2. Earn at least 110 Junior Regional Points (earned at RJCCs, you can only earn points in YOUR region. New Jersey is in Region 3. Also, only your two best results are counted.)

   ——OR——

3. Compete in your division’s JO Qualifier (generally held in November or December and will be posted on AskFred) and finish in the top 25%. A minimum of top 3 fencers will qualify, so if only three fencers compete all three will qualify.

Understanding the qualification paths can be confusing but your Durkan Coaches are here to answer all your questions and guide you through every step of the process.

Summer Nationals/July Challenge, continued

Cadet July Challenge Qualification Paths (need only one)

1. Have Cadet National Points

2. Be in the top 50% of the Y14 National Rolling Points list at the entry deadline.

3. Earn at least 65 Cadet Regional points at RJCCs in your region

4. Earn at least 65 Junior Regional points at RJCCs in your region

Junior July Challenge Qualification (need only one)

1. Have Junior National Points OR Cadet National Points

2. Earn at least 65 Junior Regional points at RJCCs in your region

3. Be in the top 25% of the Y14 National Rolling Points list at the entry deadline

Youth Summer National Championships

The youth events at USA Fencing Summer Nationals are generally held the week of Fourth of July each year. To qualify your child must meet the age eligibility (based on birth year).

Youth 10 - Qualifying Paths (only need one)

1. Have Y10 National Points (earned from SYC or Youth NAC)

2. Have any Y10 Regional Points (earned from RYCs in your region)

3. Earn at least 60 Y12 Regional Points (earned from RYCs in your region), your top 3 results are counted.

Youth 12 - Qualifying Paths (only need one)

1. Have Y12 National Points (earned from SYC or Youth NAC)

2. Earn at least 70 Y12 Regional Points (earned from RYCs in your region), your top 3 results are counted.

3. Earn at least 150 Y14 Regional Points (earned from RYCs in your region), your top 3 results are counted

4. Attend your divisions Y14 Summer Nationals qualifier and place in the top 25 percent (note a minimum of three fencers will qualify)

Youth 14 - Qualifying Paths (only need one)

1. Have Y14 National Points (earned from SYC or Youth NAC)

2. Earn at least 150 Y14 Regional Points (earned from RYCs in your region), your top 3 results are counted

3. Attend your divisions Y14 Summer Nationals qualifier and place in the top 25 percent (note a minimum of three fencers will qualify)