RESULTS
WINNERS
Tony Zaldua, Jr. (KB)
Allison Fournier (BS)
Sean Holtzman (KB)
PROMOTIONS & RE-GRADES
Allison Fournier promoted to D
Cyrus Hamilton promoted to E
Oliver Rosier promoted to E
John Kupitz promoted to E
Josiah Kupitz promoted to E
CREDITS:
Score keeping: Joli Rosier
Stats tracking: Jasmine Wats
Check-in: Sean Holtzman
Mentorship/workshop running: Cang Snow
Marketing: Ally Fournier
Catering: Joli Rosier, Constance Ash, Marta Mixell
Prizes: Neal Pace
Tech support: Avery Sandusky, Ben Height
Lighting: Avery Sandusky
Refs: Sean Holtzman, Cang Snow, Ally Fournier, John Kupitz, Josiah Kupitz, Dinah Kolasa
Basin Saber Academy’s inaugural Lightspeed Saber League tournament, High Desert Duel, was a blade-smashing success. Nine Oregon fencers and four ranked fighters from Southern California joined the roster of this D3 graded open competition.
The day kicked off with Red Squadron. Basin’s own Cyrus Hamilton, who joined only a couple months ago, took five wins in this heat, more than any other competitor in the field, earning him top seed in the brackets. Basin Saber fighter Josiah Kupitz also impressed with his incredible agility, taking four wins to procure third seed in the brackets. Another relative newcomer to Lightspeed Saber League, Oliver Rosier, surprised his opponents with big feints and hand switches, earning eighth seed in the brackets. Southern California was not to be outdone as Red Squadron saw C-ranked veterans Sean Holtzman and John Mullins secure sixth and seventh seeds in the bracket.
Blue Squadron brought their own intensity to High Desert Duel, as national medalists Tony Zaldua and Ally Fournier duked it out for another chance at glory. Tony earned second seed with his signature snipes and amazing last-minute comebacks with Ally nipping at his heels to secure fourth seed with clean shots and her trademark crab stance. John Kupitz, co-captain of Basin Saber Academy, hunted hands like no other and was the only contestant to beat Tony, taking fifth seed in the brackets.
The quarter finals saw some strong matchups. Cyrus Hamilton used his precise distance management to avoid Oliver Rosier’s switch-ups to advance the semifinals. John Mullins faced off against Tony Zaldua and held a mighty lead for a majority of the match, only to fall victim to Tony’s predilection for comebacks. John Kupitz and Ally Fournier have been fencing each other for years, but Ally’s long-reaching pommel attacks took him by surprise. Josiah Kupitz’s agility was no match for Sean Holtzman’s defenses and intimidating kilt.
The semi-finals were a nail-biter as Ally Fournier edged out Cyrus Hamilton by just one point and Tony Zaldua broke through Sean Holtzman’s defenses. With Tony and Ally confirmed to face off in the finals, Sean and Cyrus danced—literally—in the ring for third. The entertaining match ended with Sean Holtzman taking third place.
The finals were every bit as exciting as you can imagine with National Champion Tony Zaldua facing off against Third Place Women’s National Medalist Ally Fournier for best of three. Tony won the first match 8 to 6, but Ally was undeterred. She stayed cool and did what she does best, taking the second match 8 to 6. It all came down to the last match. Ally found herself in the lead at 7 to 6—just one point from victory. Tony switched it up, rushing in with a lightning fast 2-point assault. The two hugged it out, and graciously accepted the top two medals: silver for Allison Fournier and gold for Tony Zaldua.
Five Basin Saber Academy fighters ranked up. Cyrus Hamilton, Oliver Rosier, John Kupitz, and Josiah Kupitz all earned E rankings. Allison Fournier earned her D ranking. The rest of the Oregon crew did not walk away empty handed. Travis Pace proved himself the most honorable fencer of the night and earned first pick from a handful of prizes. Nate McCroskey-Izzet discovered an aggressive side he didn’t know he had when he found himself ahead of Tony Zaldua for most of his match. Jon Santos didn’t get the wins he hoped for, but his opponents had to earn it as ended matches at 7 points multiple times. Sean Barnett had a great showing for being brand new and got to face off against his brother, John Mullins.
Excellent cosplay also made an appearance. Dinah Kolasa dazzled as Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas, with long flowing red hair eerily flowing from her mask. Tony dressed as Jack Skellington and would often exclaim, “What’s this!” to amuse the crowd. Josiah Kupitz donned the Bruce Lee yellow track suit, which seemed appropriate given his agility. Ally Fournier sported a pink skirt with matching saber and leg warmers. Sean Holtzman strutted around the ring in a tartan Irish kilt. Travis Pace impressed in a jacket styled after the apparel worn by Connor Kenway, an infamous Revolutionary War assassin.
High Desert Duel was a blast, but it would not have happened without a massive amount of help. Joli Rosier easily carried the most weight, having cooked half the food that fed everyone that evening and keeping score for all but one match, and doing it unerringly. Jasmine Wats tracked statistics for the entire event! Cang Snow mentored me as first time director. Sean Holtzman, John Mullins, Dinah Kolasa, Cang Snow, Ally Fournier, John Kupitz, and Josiah Kupitz all helped with refereeing. Thanks to Constance Ash and Marta Mixell for contributing food, Neal Pace for the handmade winners plaques, Avery Sandusky for making the lights look awesome, Ben Height for the technical support in the streaming booth, and of course, all the folks who brought entertaining commentary to the stream. Lastly, thanks to United Evangelical Free church for letting take over the multi-purpose room and kitchen all day.
When I look back at the event, it all seems so big. And it was big. Big wins. Big prizes. Big turnout. Big help. That’s probably why I slept all the next day. It was so much fun, though, I’d do again tomorrow. I’m grateful for my base. They showed up and gave it their all, even if they didn’t have huge expectations, and that makes all the difference. I’m grateful to Krait base and Irvine base, for making the long drive out here; it communicated that we are not just a Podunk group of glowstick swingers out here—we’re the real deal. We have real competitors. Of course, I must again thank Cang Snow. He provided resources, knowledge, and the very presence of the League itself. I could not have done this without all these great people.
I’m looking forward to seeing Basin Saber Academy making a splash at future tournaments. We’ll be here to give you a run for your money, but we’ve got our eye on nationals too. Look out, we’re coming for your medals.
KEVIN FOURNIER
Tournament Director