RESULTS
NOVICE REY
Andre Gonzalez
Matt Pointer (promoted to D)
Shayan Doroudi
Hien Pham (promoted to E)
WOMEN’S REY
Phoebe Camilletti
Patricia Bauler
Kathy Chavez
REN SABER (all promoted to E)
Andre Gonzalez
Josh Isom
Cang Snow
Preston Pomeroy
ADVANCED REY
Cang Snow
William Alonzo
Josh Isom (promoted to D)
Phoebe Camilletti
DUET SKIRMISH
Dragonbreath (Tony Zaldua & Connor Benbrook)
The Order (Cang Snow & Doug Keo)
The Lightspeed Saber SoCal Open Invitational marked a historic occasion with its multi-day format, including competitions for novices, advanced fencers, women, teams, and introducing the very first Ren Saber exclusive event.
DAY ONE
NOVICES
Among the competitors, Andre Gonzalez represented with a C rating, while Patricia Bauler from Lightspeed Saber Academy in Westminster aimed to re-earn her D rating. Shayan Doroudi, Matt Pointer, Hien Pham, Connor Benbrook, Kathy Chavez, Douglas Keo, Josh Isom, William Alonzo also showcased their skills in this diverse lineup.
In the Round of 8, Connor Benbrook clashed sabers with Kathy Chavez in a dynamic encounter. Benbrook’s prowess shone through as he secured a convincing victory with a final score of 12-5, marking his advancement to the next round. Meanwhile, Douglas Keo faced off against Hien Pham in a tightly contested battle. Despite a close start, Pham unleashed two crucial counterattacks in the second period, clinching the victory in just two exchanges. The score was 12-5.
Andre Gonzalez squared up against Benbrook in a high-stakes showdown. Gonzalez exhibited his skill and composure, ultimately emerging triumphant with a score of 12-9. Patricia Bauler crossed blades with teammate Shayan Doroudi in a clash of experience versus reach. In a testament to Doroudi’s agility and precision, he secured a narrow victory with a final score of 13-11, propelling himself forward in the competition.
As the competition intensified in the semi-finals, Gonzalez faced off against Doroudi in a battle of wits and technique. Demonstrating his seasoned expertise, Gonzalez seized control of the match with impeccable timing and blade work, securing a commanding victory with a final score of 13-5. Meanwhile, Matt Pointer showcased his skill and determination as he went head-to-head with teammate Hien Pham. With a dominating performance, Pointer emerged victorious with a resounding score of 13-2, earning his place in the finals.
Shayan Doroudi was to fight Hien Pham for the bronze medal, however, Pham was unable to attend the match, therefore granting Doroudi the bout by default. Doroudi took home the bronze but both walked away with their first competition grades (E).
Andre Gonzalez fought Matt Pointer for the gold medal. In the Finals Gonzalez was the favorite to win, considering his vastly superior experience, however, Pointer scored a few points, and in the end, was able to earn his D grade despite taking a loss. Andre Gonzalez won the round at a score of 12 - 5 .
WOMEN
The women’s event contained four competitors, including the seasoned Patricia Bauler and Phoebe Camilletti. Newcomers Kathy Chavez and Iman Maz would have a tough fight against these highly experienced Lightspeed ladies.
In the pools, Patricia Bauler demonstrated her prowess on the illuminated battlefield, securing victories in two matches with a total of 20 points. Her strategic finesse and calculated moves propelled her to a promising start in the competition.
Phoebe Camilletti, known for her no-nonsense approach to fencing, displayed her dominance with a strategic simplicity aimed at swiftly securing victories. Despite a loss against part-time rival Patricia Bauler, Camilletti emerged victorious in two matches with a total of 21 points, securing the top seed in the process.
Kathy Chavez, eager to redeem herself after a challenging debut in the novice category, found success in the women's event. She clinched two hard-earned victories, tallying a total of 15 points and proving her resilience on the saber stage.
Iman Maz embarked on her competitive journey with a cautious yet determined mindset. Despite initial timidity, Maz showed promising signs of growth, absorbing instruction and gradually taking bolder actions as the matches progressed. However, she faced tough competition and, unfortunately, did not secure any victories in the pools, but her willingness to learn and adapt boded well for her later performance.
BRACKET
With just four competitors, this meant that everyone went into the semi-finals.
Chavez and Camilletti were the first to square off. Camilletti, known for her broken footwork and expert timing, unleashed a barrage of thigh shots that left Chavez scrambling to defend. Despite her valiant efforts, Chavez struggled to evade, and ultimately conceded the match with a final score of 2-12 in favor of Camilletti.
Meanwhile, Iman Maz faced off against Patricia Bauler. Maz , fueled by newfound confidence and determination, displayed a bolder and faster approach than in the preliminary pools. Her renewed effort paid off as she notched her first two points in her competitive career. However, Bauler's experience and tactical prowess proved to be too much to overcome, as she secured victory with a commanding score of 13-2, advancing to the finals.
Finally, it was time for the medal matches, which was more or less a predictable result, featuring Maz fighting Chavez for 3rd and Bauler versus Camilletti for the gold.
In the battle for the bronze medal, Kathy Chavez faced off against Iman Maz . While Chavez was still relatively new to the sport, Doroudi was even newer, stepping into the box with significant courage and guts. Chavez coasted to victory, earning 13 points to Maz’s 1, and netting her first medal (bronze).
The spotlight then shifted to the gold medal match, where Phoebe Camilletti squared off against Patricia Bauler in a highly anticipated showdown. Camilletti, known for her characteristic speed and unpredictable tempo, employed a strategic approach designed to unsettle her opponent. Bauler, nicknamed the "Castle" for her steadfast defense, faced a formidable challenge in Camilletti's dynamic footwork and relentless attacks. In a clash of styles, it was Camilletti who ultimately prevailed, utilizing her unique "skitter" footwork to outmaneuver Bauler and secure victory with a final score of 13-9, clinching the gold medal.
REN SABER
The final event of the day was the Ren Saber tournament. Breaking away from traditional formats, this event was exclusively dedicated to crossguarded fencing. This meant that everyone started with the grade of U, so it was a great and equal opportunity for everybody to begin fill this burgeoning Lightspeed ladder.
Among the diverse array of competitors was Andre Gonzalez, whose familiarity with guarded sabers from his light-based fencing career provided a unique advantage. Josh Isom, though relatively new to Ren Saber, promised to be a formidable opponent with his aggressive style. Meanwhile, Cang Snow entered the arena with a wealth of experience in Ren Saber, having already claimed victory in a previous tournament.
Preston Pomeroy, armed with an exceptionally heavy weight Ren Saber for training, emerged as a favorite to seize the win. Phoebe Camilletti, while still navigating her journey in Lightspeed Saber, showcased a strong affinity for Ren Saber. John Mullins brought his signature at-range hooking style into the mix, sparking curiosity about its adaptation to Ren Saber.
Sean Holtzman, accustomed to light-based great swords, faced the challenge of adjusting to the nuances of Ren Saber. Lastly, William Alonzo added to the mix, bringing his own unique approach to the Ren Saber battleground.
POOLS
Cang Snow emerged as a dominant force in the pools, showcasing his mastery of the Ren Saber with a flawless performance. Despite facing stiff competition, including a narrow victory against Andre Gonzalez, Snow claimed victory in all his matches, earning the top seed in the pool with a total of 22 points.
William Alonzo encountered difficulties adapting to the heavier Ren Saber compared to his usual weapon of choice, the Rey Saber. Despite his best efforts, Alonzo struggled to find his footing in the pool, failing to secure any victories and accumulating a total of 17 points.
Andre Gonzalez demonstrated his skill and tenacity, securing two hard-earned victories in the pool phase with a total of 16 points. Meanwhile, Sean Holtzman, Phoebe Camilletti, and John Mullins each showcased their unique styles and strategies, notching victories and earning their place in the competition with commendable performances.
Josh Isom's aggressive style, coupled with the weight of the Ren Saber, posed challenges for him in the pool phase. Despite facing difficulties in offense, Isom displayed resilience and determination, securing one victory and accumulating a total of 10 points.
Preston Pomeroy, burdened by the weight of his Ren Saber, fought valiantly in the pools, showcasing his trademark determination and grit. Despite facing challenges, Pomeroy secured one victory and earned a total of 12 points, demonstrating his resilience in the face of adversity.
BRACKETS
In the Round of 8, Cang Snow clashed sabers with William Alonzo in a fiercely contested battle. In a nail-biting exchange, Snow emerged victorious with a narrow margin of 14-13, showcasing his skill and determination on the Ren Saber battlefield.
Andre Gonzalez faced off against Sean Holtzman in another thrilling matchup, with Gonzalez asserting his dominance with a commanding score of 15-6, securing his place in the next round.
Preston Pomeroy’s battle against the much taller John Mullins was always going to be a literal uphill battle, despite Pomeroy’s dedication to Ren Saber. Pomeroy managed to leverage his height disadvantage with a well-timed underhook, bringing the match to a close at 14-12, knocking Mullins out of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Josh Isom showcased his aggressive style as he clashed sabers with Phoebe Camilletti, emerging victorious with a final score of 15-10, earning his place in the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals, Cang Snow faced off against Andre Gonzalez in a clash of titans. While Snow dominated the first period, Gonzalez staged a remarkable comeback in the second, executing critical dodges and capitalizing with precise follow-up attacks. In a breathtaking final exchange, Gonzalez expertly parried Snow's jumping attack, and locked out any follow up as he delivered the 3 point counterattack. The score ended at 15-13, in Gonzalez’ favor.
In the other semi-final matchup, Josh Isom's aggressive approach proved too much for teammate Preston Pomeroy, as Isom emerged victorious with a final score of 14-8, securing his place in the finals.
But first, was the bronze match, featuring Cang Snow and Preston Pomeroy. Pomeroy, perhaps fatigued from previous battles with taller opponents like Mullins and the faster Isom, put up a valiant defense against Snow's relentless assault. Despite Pomeroy's admirable efforts, Snow proved to be too formidable, securing victory with a final score of 15-4 and claiming the bronze medal in the process.
Meanwhile, in the gold medal match, Andre Gonzalez squared off against Josh Isom in a showdown of contrasting styles and experience levels. Isom, known for his aggressive approach, appeared uncharacteristically timid in the face of Gonzalez's seasoned expertise. Gonzalez, displaying patience and strategic precision, capitalized on opportune moments to outmatch Isom with clean and clear pickoffs. Gonzalez emerged victorious with a commanding score of 15-6, claiming the gold medal and solidifying his status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of the Ren Saber.
DAY TWO
ADVANCED
For those coming in from Day One, it would be another long and tiring day of Lightspeed Saber fencing. These included Cang Snow, Phoebe Camilletti, Connor Benbrook, William Alonzo, John Mullins, and Josh Isom. Meanwhile, multi-year champion Tony Zaldua Jr was coming in fresh to show everyone his unique and effective style of Lightspeed Saber fencing, and Jose Ortiz-Miranda was there to do the same.
In the pools, Jose Ortiz-Miranda, perhaps opting to conserve his energy for the knockout rounds, only earned one victory, against rival John Mullins and tallying a total of 17 points.
Phoebe Camilletti showcased her prowess, placing highest in her pool with impressive performances, only faltering against teammate John Mullins. With two victories and a total of 18 points, Camilletti demonstrated her skill and determination on the tournament stage. That victory over Camilletti would be Mullins only one at this stage of the event.
Connor Benbrook, filling in for a no-show competitor, exceeded expectations with his impressive performance in the pool stage, securing two victories and earning a total of 16 points, a testament to his skill and determination and proving that he did indeed belong among the C’s, B’s, and A’s afterall.
Multiyear champion Tony Zaldua Jr. continued his dominance, winning all his matches with characteristic finesse and precision. With three victories and a total of 21 points, Zaldua Jr. reaffirmed his status as a force to be reckoned with in the advanced division. Cang Snow followed closely behind, losing to Zaldua but ultimately earning 19 points, positioning himself well to eventually face the multiyear champion and get a second crack at victory.
William Alonzo secured one victory in the pool stage, demonstrating his skill and determination as he aimed to climb the ranks and secure a coveted spot in the knockout rounds.
Josh Isom, opting to forgo the novice bracket, faced his first real taste of advanced competition. Despite failing to secure any wins in the pools, Isom gained valuable experience and insights that would serve him well in future tournaments.
BRACKETS
This was perhaps the most surprising bracket SoCal has seen in a long time, with several major upsets which would ultimately degrade the rating of the tournament.
In the first upset, Josh Isom faced off against multi-year champion Tony Zaldua. Despite not securing any wins in the pools, Isom dominated the first period, leaving Zaldua struggling to catch up. However, Zaldua mounted a remarkable comeback in the second period, narrowing the score to 10-13. Despite Zaldua's efforts, Isom's youth and skill proved too much to overcome, as Isom secured victory with a 3-point counterattack, ending Zaldua's streak of making it to the finals in standard tournaments. The final score was 10-16, with Isom emerging victorious and a crucial A-rank knocked out from the top 4 of the tournament.
The next upset occurred when Phoebe Camilletti knocked out Jose Ortiz-Miranda, the only other A-ranked in the tournament. Camilletti’s victory opened the door to her earning a B in the tournament, but it would not longer be possible for anyone to earn an ‘A’ at this event.
Teammates Connor Benbrook and William Alonzo faced off in a closely contested match in the Round of 8. Despite Benbrook's efforts, Alonzo emerged victorious with a final score of 13-17, showcasing his skill and determination in the competition.
Westminster teammates John Mullins and Cang Snow clashed in a battle of skill and strategy in the Round of 8. Despite Mullins' strong start, he gassed out in the second half, against which Snow countered with skilled pick-offs on the hand sand stomach. The final hit was an uncommonly used pronate hook which scored clean by mere millimeters, allowing Snow to hit matchpoint. The final score was 9-16. Snow moved on, and Mullins retired.
In the semi-finals, William Alonzo faced off against Josh Isom in a closely contested match. Alonzo's offense and ability to capitalize on Isom's inefficiencies proved to be the difference-maker, as he secured victory with a final score of 14-16, advancing to the finals.
In the other semi-final match, Phoebe Camilletti faced off against Cang Snow in a battle of timing and tempo. Camilletti dominated the first period with her variable timing and masked footwork, but Snow began to acclimate in the second period, picking up clean shots before breaking away, including one counterattack. In the end, Snow emerged victorious with a final score of 9-17, setting the stage for an exciting finals matchup between Snow and Alonzo.
In the match for the bronze medal, Josh Isom squared off against Phoebe Camilletti in a contest that held significant importance for Isom's journey: a win for Camilletti wouldn’t net her any new grade. However, not only would a win mean a new grade for Isom, it was his only chance for a new grade in the two days, having forgone the opportunity for an easy path to victory in yesterday’s novice bracket. Ultimately Camillett’s broken timing was unable to intimidate or trick Isom, who cruised to victory with a score of 16-7. Isom earned his D.
Meanwhile, in the gold medal match, William Alonzo faced off against Cang Snow. These two fencers knew each other’s style well, but the fact that they were meeting to decide the gold medal was certainly new.
Snow dominated the first period, exploiting weaknesses in Alonzo's offense and securing a strong lead. Despite Alonzo's valiant efforts to mount a comeback with well-placed fake outs, Snow's formidable defense proved too much to overcome. In the end, Snow emerged victorious with a score of 17-8, claiming the gold medal and cementing his status as a formidable force in the world of Lightspeed Saber fencing.
TEAM TOURNAMENT
Finally, Day Two of the SoCal Open Invitational culminated in the duet skirmish tournament, featuring 10 competitors of disparate skill levels. Each team was somewhat balanced with experienced an inexperienced fencers. The real challenge would be how well the veteran fencers could quickly train and guide their padawans, and how quickly those padawans could adapt and absorb information. These teams included the Chimi Warriors (William Alonzo and Kat Rodriguez), Dragonbreath (Tony Zaldua and Connor Benbrook), The Order (Cang Snow and Doug Keo), Cosmic Monkeys (John Mullins and Phoebe Camilletti), and brothers Josh and Chris Isom.
In the pool stage, Benbrook and Zaldua made an excellent combination, with Zaldua earning many of the team’s points, but Benbrook certainly holding up his own when needed. The Brothers Isom had some difficulty earning clean shots, which made their matches somewhat contentious and difficult to follow, however they otherwise performed with passion and vigor. The Chimi Warriors included the inexperienced but motivated Kat Rodriguez, who, with her partner William Alonzo netted themselves a few victories. The two made an interesting combination, putting together Alonzo’s relentless offense with Kat’s precise striking.
In other parts of the stage, Cang Snow and Doug Keo did reasonably well. Keo had trouble earning points at the beginning, but soon began to gain confidence in his maneuvers, finishing the day with impressive footwork and attacks. Meanwhile, the Cosmic Monkeys did well for themselves, also gaining victories with the combination of Phoebe Camilletti’s simple but deceptive offense and John Mullins’ balletic bladework.
Once in the bracket, the Chimi Warriors, the Cosmic Monkeys, and the Isom Brothers were knocked out, leaving the last two teams: Dragonbreath and The Order. When these two met earlier, it was a fairly close match with the dracons coming out on top. However, this was not to repeat itself as Dragonbreath not only won, but dominated. Not even Snow was able to put hardly dent in the opposing team, after losing grip on his weapon and giving up two easy points to Zaldua. Benbrook really came into his own here, scoring nearly as many points as Zaldua.
In the end Dragonbreath took the gold, and The Order took silver. Well done to all the teams!
Overall it was a very busy and tiring weekend, but a fun one, and we can’t wait to do it again in just a few months time at Lightspeed Menace!
Cang Snow
SPECIAL THANKS
This went 100% smoother due to Patricia Bauler, who was our dedicated staff for the day, walking the floor as on-floor tournament director to make sure everyone was following the rules, staying safe, and making sure things were moving on time. Thanks baby i love you.
