Texas
Item
-
Title
-
Texas
-
Date
-
October 1940
-
volume
-
5
-
issue
-
5
-
page start
-
7
-
page end
-
7
-
content
-
en
TEXAS
The Fencers Club of San Antonio was host to six Texas foil teams in an invitation tournament held in Olmos Park in San Antonio on April 27th. Individual competitions were also held in epee and saber under a direct elimination system while a round-robin foils contest was held for girls from S. M. U. and the Fencers Club of San Antonio. Charles Heard acted as Tournament Director.
Foil teams consisted of three men and one substitute. Team entries were received from Baylor University, Waco; University of Texas, Austin; Southern Methodist University, Dallas; San Antonio Y. M. C. A.; San Antonio Army Officers and a “B” team from the Fencers Club of San Antonio.
This, the largest invitation fencing meet of its kind ever held in Texas, was unfortunately delayed by a series of thunder showers. However, everyone was in good humor and sportsmanship prevailed. Although arrangements were obtained for the use of a building in another park, every fencer voted to continue the bouts as well as possible on the original grounds to give each man the same conditions. As each thunder shower ended there was a good-natured scramble for weapons, judges and score-keepers’ pencils. The weather finally prevailed and forced a move to another city park at the termination of the foil team bouts. The parade of the fencers to the new location was probably the strangest armed march ever to pass through this old military city.
The picnic supper was served during the epee, sabre and girl’s foil bouts. Fighting interest was at such a high level during these contests that the picnic resolved itself into shifts. A raised sandwich was an acceptable vote while the scorekeepers kept watch of contestants’ plates as well as their scores.
Seven statuettes of silver and bronze, donated by local merchants, were awarded the separate winners. The members of the undefeated University of Texas foil team each received a bronze statue. A similar statue was presented to Lt. Salvator Manzo as captain of the second place Army Officers team. Miss Margaret Callan, Fencers Club, received a silver statue for first place in the women’s foil contest, which place was won without the loss of a bout. Alvin Adelman of Baylor University and Hal Lattimore, also of Baylor, each received a silver statue for first places in the epee and sabre contests, respectively. A special award was given to Lt. Morris F. Taber as the best Army fencer, while a special silver medal was presented to Charles Heard for his good work in promoting the sport in San Antonio.
Several Army fencers and members of the Fencers Club “A” team sacrificed their chances of competitive achievement to act as officials for the bouts. This sportsmanlike gesture not only made for keener competition among the lesser experienced fencers but also made for a smooth and efficient handling of the several contests. Quoting a local fencer, “The day was a grand success.”
A Southwestern League Meet was held at the University of Texas, Austin, on May 9th, 10th and 11th. Baylor University, Texas A. & M., Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas participated. Lt. Salvator Manzo and Charles Heard acted as Directors. Details of the results have not been received.
