Fencing
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A CHANCE at trying something new has turned into a passion for the talented Krystal Cheesley.
Taking up fencing three years, the 12-year-old has quickly risen to the top of her age group.
The number one ranked under 13 in NSW, Krystal has set her eyes on making it to the Youth Olympic Games (YOG).
Still four years away, Krystal and her mother Robyn Jessup were in Sydney yesterday for a YOG training camp following a busy weekend at the Riverina Fencing Championships.
Krystal finished first in the under 13 foil and second in the under 15 foil events in Wagga over the weekend before making the trip to Sydney to continue her development in the sport.
Representing Australasia in four years time at the Youth Olympics is something Krystal strives to do, but her mother isn't looking too far ahead.
"It's a possibility if she keeps going the way she is, but it is difficult to get into the Olympic Games as its actually Australasia not just Australia and there is only two places," Jessup said.
"But anything is possible and it is her goal to try and get there on day."
Krystal has just earnt a scholarship with the Southern Sports Academy and has been selected in the Australian Fencing Federation Talented Fencer Program which will see her attend a number of training camps and compete against older athletes.
Taking on those older than her is nothing new for the Wagga High student, its all part of the learning experience.
Under an injury cloud coming into the championships, Krystal finished with a first and second placing.
Head coach Julian Smith was thrilled with the performances of the Wagga athletes and just how successful the event was.
With more than 160 entries, it was the biggest NSW competition outside of Sydney.
Smith was impressed by the performances the Wagga athletes put in.
"Wagga was disgraced at all which was great," he said.
"We got a few golds and silvers with many exceeding my expectations."
Wagga Christian College claimed the school teams trophy, victorious over Wagga High and The Riverina Anglican College.
The Tony Dominguez Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding Wagga fencer was awarded to Ashley Collison.
Men's open foil
1 Matthew Dall'Asen (FAA Sydney)
2 Chris Gabriel (ACT)
3 Ash Mills (ANU)
3 Mark Morris (FAA Sydney)
Men's open epee
1 Tim Davis (Whitehorse Cavaliers)
2 Dale Drummond (ANU)
3 Josh Jordan (Southern Highlands FC)
3 Michael Spencer (ANU)
Men's open sabre
1 Chris Gabriel (ACT)
2 Tim Davis (Whitehorse Cavaliers
3 Henry Zhang (ANU)
3 Dale Drummond (ANU)
Men's novice epee
1 Tim Davis (Whitehorse Cavaliers)
2 Jake Salabert (Wagga)
3 Connor Mai (Whitehorse Cavaliers)
3 Mitchell Marnic (Wagga)
Men's novice foil
1 Oliver Sirota (VRI Victoria)
2 Ashley Collison (Wagga)
3 Mitchell Marnic (Wagga)
3 Jake Salabert (Wagga)
Men's novice sabre
1 Tim Davis (Whitehorse Cavaliers)
2 Henry Zhang (ANU)
3 Liam McDonnell (Wagga)
3 Lance Lau (ANU)
Men's under 15 foil
1 Matthew Dall'Assen (FAA Sydney)
2 Mark Morris (FAA Sydney)
3 Jonah Newtown (Swords Canberra)
Men's under 13 foil
1 Josh Jordan (Southern Highlands FC)
2 Jonah Newton (Swords Canberra)
Women's open epee
1 Ellie Jordan (Southern Highlands FC)
2 Katrina Cornelly (ANU)
3 Cathy Syme (Southern Highlands FC)
3 Jordan Stacey (Whitehorse Cavaliers)
Women's open foil
1 Christelle Borella (Wagga)
2 Ellie Jordan (Southern Highlands FC)
3 Katrina Cornelly (ANU)
3 Jordan Stacey (Whitehorse Cavaliers)
Women's open sabre
1 Ellie Jordan (Southern Highlands FC)
2 Cathi Walker (Whitehorse Cavaliers)
3 Jordan Stacey (Whitehorse Cavaliers)
3 Sarah Jones (ANU)
Women's novice epee
1 Cathy Syme (Southern Highlands FC)
2 Jordan Stacey (Whitehorse Cavaliers)
3 Cathi Walker (Whitehorse Cavaliers)
4 Luci Ross (Wagga)
Women's novice foil
1 Pip Kellett (Wagga)
2 Kate Ireland (Wagga)
3 Stefanie Morris (FAA Sydney)
3 Stephanie Whitty (Bathurst CSU)
Women's under 15 foil
1 Ellie Jordan (Southern Highlands FC)
2 Krystal Cheesley (Wagga)
3 Isabella Newton (Swords Canberra)
Women's under 13 foil
1 Krystal Cheesley (Wagga)
2 Stefanie Morris (FAA Sydney)