Frascati with the Meinhardts

So I explain to the boys that fencing (scherma) is like Ninja Turtles without the black masks or the green shells. I also explain that you walk up a slap your opponent with a glove in order to get someone to fight you.

Fortunately we had Kurt here in Frascati to explain these finer points a bit better to Jax.














Shaun and Jarrod

Imagine that. Down in Frascati outside of Rome at the Frascati Scherma Club we see this Asian man with three kids. Is he Italian? Jarrod walks up to Helen and introduces himself. It turns out that he is also out to see the competition in Catania this week. It also turns out that they aren't even brothers. Moreover, they are all from the same Fencing Club as Gerek in San Francisco.

After nearly twenty years we meet again. Last I saw them was back in SF before Gerek was even born. The Meinhardts are out in Frascati ( A very nice little town a few miles East of Rome which is known for its scherma club) on their way to Catania in Sicily for the Jr World Championships.
This is a very busy time for the Meinhardts. Gerek is in Italy , China and the US this month and off to Russia and China again next month and off to the Olympics in Beijing. We are scouting the scherma clubs here in Umbria to see if these seeds we planted begin to take root.







We certainly appreciate their taking a the time to see us in Frascati.



In the meantime, we follow Gerek's progress together through the summer in Beijing. Go Gerek!!! Go USA!!!

And a SPECIAL thanks to the Meinhardts who offer not only inspiration to our kids, but to us parents. After all, it's ALL about the kids!!!