A Fencing Phenomenon
It may not be too long before New Jersey adds another name to its long list of native Olympic competitors. 10-year old Lola Possick from Weehawken area is cutting quite a swath in fencing competitions.
You would think that Lola had been fencing since she was practically a baby, as good as she is. That’s not the case, however. She’s only been at it for 3 years. She began fencing because she wanted to emulate her older brother Owen, and discovered she’s a natural at it.
Lola is a student at Mustard Seed School in Hoboken. She trains in fencing at Cobra Fencing Club under a former Olympian named Steve Kaplan, Coach and founder of the Club. Kaplan is probably bursting with pride, and not only because Lola is his student.
Lola took the gold medal in a competition at the Summer National Championships in San Jose, competing in a field of 48 girls. The girl she beat for the gold was also a student of Kaplan’s. Her name is Kaitlyn Hulseberg, and Lola has lost to her in the past. It must have been an exciting match to watch because the score was tied 9-9, and Lola scored the winning hit. Either way it was win/win for Kaplan. Of course, big brother Owen gives her lots of coaching, also.
Lola’s mother is very proud, also. It isn’t just that her daughter is great at fencing, and wins a lot. She’s a good sport, and takes a loss with aplomb. Anyone can be a good winner. It takes fortitude to be a gracious loser. It doesn’t look like Lola will have to dip into her reserves for losing very much, however. She’s taking the sport by storm. She was ranked 3rd in the nation, but she showed that she can be number one.
The Summer National Championship Title qualifies Lola to compete in the Pan American Games in Peru next month. That’s international competition. And, of course, she’ll defend her title in the Nationals again next summer in Dallas. Since she’s so young, she has a lot of time to win more and more.
Isn’t it inspiring to see such dedication in our young people?
Edward