Mittleman Takes Bronze in Final Bay State Games Appearance

In one of her last competitions before heading off to Wellesley College in the fall, Chestnut Hill fencer Jenny Mittleman tied for third in the Girls Scholastic Foil at the 2010 Bay State Games earlier this month.

This was the second year finishing in the bronze medal spot at the games for the 18-year-old Mittleman, who shared her bronze in the foil event with Alexandra Knobel from Concord-Carlisle High School.

The July 17 competition at Prise De Fer Fencing Club in Billerica was the last time competing in the Bay State Games for Mittleman. As a recent graduate of Brookline High School, she has now maxed out on her eligibility in the Scholastic division.

Mittleman's experiences at the Bay State Games have always been valuable to the young fencer. "The Bay State Games are important for student athletes because it gives them good experience and practice – two very important things in fencing!" Mittleman said.  "The more competitions you attend with different people the more comfortable and versatile you become as a fencer. A fencer that is comfortable and confident in their actions is going to be hard to beat."

The Bay State Games always gave Mittleman that important experience facing different opponents than her club mates at MOE Wen Fencing Club in Somerville.

"I got to compete against people I wouldn't normally compete against because they compete for a High School team, don't attend practice at MOE Wen Fencing Club or don't attend very many NEUSFA (New England United States Fencing Association) events," explained Mittleman.

That experience against different fencers will no doubt help Mittleman as she tries out for Wellesley College's NCAA Division III women's fencing team in the fall. With her current USFA "D9" rating and a passion for the sport she's nourished for five years, Mittleman believes she has the confidence and comfort to compete on the collegiate level.