RESULTS
WINNER
Chicco Smith (SLK)
Ally Fournier
Ryan McKenna (SLK)
PROMOTIONS & RE-GRADES
Chicco earned his D
Ally re-earns her D
Michael Sprague earned his E
Noah Broklawski earned his E
Liz Pritchard earned her E
Roaland Balmediano earned his E
The grandeur of the Rockville Tournament Series 2024 was nothing short of spectacular, igniting the scene with an awe-inspiring kickoff! Picture this – a dazzling assembly of 18 individuals, each poised and prepared to unveil their extraordinary lightsaber prowess. Amongst this elite group, a substantial contingent hailed from the illustrious Saber Light Knights, adding an extra layer of brilliance to the event. Noteworthy mentions include the seasoned Ally Fournier, journeying all the way from Tennessee, accompanied by her father Kevin, who graciously took on the role of a referee. And let's not forget our esteemed friend Sean Friedman, who embarked on an epic journey from the bustling streets of New York to join this stellar gathering.
The event burst into life as we plunged headfirst into the thrilling pools.
The Red Squadron pool witnessed an explosive finale marked by the symphony of clashing sabers! Ryan McKenna, a veritable maestro of the lightsaber, emerged as the undisputed champion, triumphing with an awe-inspiring four victories and an unyielding display of offensive mastery. Liz Pritchard's valiant efforts earned her a well-deserved second place, securing three decisive wins. Roland Balmediano, a force to be reckoned with, claimed the third spot after engaging in intense duels. Even in the face of formidable competition, Emily Watson and Brent Keith embodied the true spirit of lightsaber warriors, navigating their way through the pool with tenacity.
In the Blue Squadron, lightsabers ignited in a dazzling spectacle of thrilling clashes! Michael Sprague, a virtuoso of skill and precision, emerged as the triumphant victor with an impressive five wins, leaving a trail of defeated opponents in his wake. Chicco Smith secured a hard-fought second place, solidifying their position with four victories. Ally Fournier, displaying fierce determination, clinched a well-earned third place. Even amidst the intense competition, Nathaniel Early, Noah Broklawski, and Sean Friedman showcased courage and the spirit of true warriors as they honed their lightsaber techniques.
The Green Squadron bore witness to a clash of sabers that sparked with unmatched intensity! Charlie Gray blazed a victorious path, securing an undeniable first place. In a hotly contested race, Vincent DelVecchio fought valiantly to earn a well-deserved second place with an impressive five victories. David Graham followed suit with a fierce performance, claiming a solid third place. Kristi Jerome and Ian Robertson exhibited unwavering grit, battling for each point. Despite his late entrance, Ian Robertson made his presence known in the whirlwind of duels. Even in the midst of the chaos, Benjamin Broklawski and Ian Keith demonstrated an unwavering fighting spirit that left a lasting impression on all.
The round of 32 began with a clash of generations, the young Ian Keith upset his father, Brent Keith, in a captivating duel. This wasn't just any match; it was a display of a student surpassing the teacher. Ian seized the initiative with confident returns unsettling his experienced father. Brent fought back with tactical indirect hits (Is), but Ian's youthful determination shone through.
Sean Friedman dominated the match against Benjamin Broklawski, showcasing his offensive prowess. Friedman utilized a variety of attacks, including lightning-fast first contacts, decisive clean hits, and strategic indirect hits (Is). Broklawski attempted to counter with returns but was unable to keep up with Friedman's relentless attacks.
In the Round of 16, aggressive tactics often led to victory. Ryan McKenna, Roland Balmediano, Chicco Smith, and Ally Fournier demonstrated strong offensive power, seizing first contact and scoring with clean hits. Others, like Noah Broklawski and Liz Pritchard, countered attacks effectively, using well-timed returns and indirect hits to find scoring opportunities. Charlie Gray and Michael Sprague exhibited a mix of strategic first contacts and opportunistic counterattacks to earn their wins.
The round of 8 was exciting as the field of competitors narrowed. Ryan McKenna continued his relentless offensive style, seizing first contacts and scoring indirect hits for another decisive victory. Despite Roland Balmediano's well-placed assaults and indirect hits, he couldn't match Ryan's aggressive pace. Meanwhile, Chicco Smith displayed a similarly decisive win, earning multiple honor points along with clean hits. Even with Noah Broklawski's adaptable style and counter-attacks with first contacts and indirect hits, he was ultimately overcome by Chicco's offensive strength.
The tide began to turn as Charlie Gray showcased tactical finesse against Liz Pritchard. Gray employed well-timed returns to disrupt Pritchard's attacks, then took the initiative with quick first contacts and indirect hits to claim victory. Though Pritchard demonstrated defensive resilience with counter-attacks and indirect hits, her reliance on reactive tactics proved less effective in this round.
The final match saw Ally Fournier mix aggressive and calculated attacks to gain advantage. Michael Sprague, however, counteracted Fournier's offensive drive with strategically implemented assaults and other disruptive tactics. This broke Fournier's offensive flow and neutralized her attacks, but was not enough to overcome Ally's offense.
The first semi-final showcased a clash of offensive titans. Ryan McKenna sought to continue his aggressive tactics with first contacts and indirect hits. However, Chicco Smith proved too powerful, using a series of effective clean hits to break Ryan's offensive momentum. Though Ryan countered with his own clean hits and defensive actions, Chicco maintained a blistering pace, earning several well-timed hits to seal his victory.
The second semi-final featured a battle of tactical prowess. This time, it was Ally Fournier who showcased her ability to adapt. After Charlie Gray opened with a decisive priority override followed by a first contact, Ally turned the tide by strategically employing quick intercepts and clever indirect hits. Fournier pressed her advantage with a streak of consecutive first contacts, demonstrating aggressive dominance. Although Charlie scored occasional clean hits, he struggled to regain control of the bout. Ally maintained pressure with continuous attacks before closing out the match with a decisive victory.
The battle for bronze was a clash of titans! Ryan McKenna and Charlie Gray went toe-to-toe in a whirlwind of furious parries and lightning-fast lunges. In the end, McKenna's relentless attack proved too much. Gray fought with heart and skill, earning the respect of every spectator. This fence-off was one for the history books – a true testament to the spirit and dedication of these incredible athletes!
After a thrilling series of bouts, Chicco Smith emerged as the tournament champion! His relentless offensive power, punctuated by moments of tactical brilliance, ultimately overwhelmed his opponents. While Ally Fournier showcased fantastic adaptability and strategic cunning, Chicco's sheer offensive ferocity proved too much to handle in this final match.
CHRIS STADTHER
Tournament Director