Post by schlager7 on Apr 21, 2011 7:19:02 GMT -6
The original news article may be found here.
Fencing slashes to the top in national championship
The Battalion > News
By Sarah Smith
Published: Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Updated: Thursday, April 21, 2011 00:04
The benefits of fencing are boundless. Not only is it a well-revered sport, "swashbuckling" is a résumé builder, and encounters with pirates happen to be on the rise. For those who always dreamed of uttering, "Hello my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die," do not fret. Even if a six-fingered man never killed your father, there is still a place for you in Aggieland.
Texas A&M's Fencing Club clanged swords as they achieved top rankings in this year's Club National Championships of Fencing at the University of Chicago. The United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs sponsored the competition, and teams from across the country competed.
There are three different swords: foil, épée and sabre. Each weapon has a unique set of rules accompanied by a distinct personality. While each fencer favors something different, junior Kat Kelsch of Tournament Affairs aligns herself with the sabre, the largest of the three swords.
"Épée is the chess player, foil is the playful athlete and sabre is the kid who still has hope that [Jedi] lightsabers are real," Kelsch said. "I felt that one called my name."
In Chicago, the A&M men's épée team placed 2nd and men's foil team placed 5th. In the individual foil competition, Lyndy Black placed 2nd, Zach Bartholomew placed 6th, Nicholas Modawar placed 8th and Robert Wooley placed 9th.
"We are so impressed and proud of our fellow teammates," said Peter Deleeuw, club president and senior biomedical science major. "This was an amazing year for the A&M Fencing Club."
The A&M Fencing team is also first overall in Texas. They compete in the Southwest Intercollegiate Fencing Organization. These team-based competitions take place four times a year against schools such as Texas, Texas State, Baylor and UNT. Moreover, many competitive team members are also registered members of the United States Fencing Association.
"Here, we compete in primarily individual-based events," said Andrew Spriggs, team treasurer and a graduate accounting student. "Many of our members are rated USFA fencers."
But one doesn't have to be a fencing aficionado to join the club. Deleeuw encourages anyone who is interested to come to practice or check out the club website.
"Two people on our sabre team had never fenced before," Deleeuw said. "It's such a great way to burn off steam and have a great time."
==========================================================
From left to right: Jordan Rimmer, senior chemical engineering major, Andrew Spriggs, graduate accounting student, Jackson Blair, junior international studies major and Peter Deleeuw, senior biomedical science major, are members of the Texas A&M men’s épée team, which placed second at the Club National Championships of Fencing
Fencing slashes to the top in national championship
The Battalion > News
By Sarah Smith
Published: Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Updated: Thursday, April 21, 2011 00:04
The benefits of fencing are boundless. Not only is it a well-revered sport, "swashbuckling" is a résumé builder, and encounters with pirates happen to be on the rise. For those who always dreamed of uttering, "Hello my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die," do not fret. Even if a six-fingered man never killed your father, there is still a place for you in Aggieland.
Texas A&M's Fencing Club clanged swords as they achieved top rankings in this year's Club National Championships of Fencing at the University of Chicago. The United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs sponsored the competition, and teams from across the country competed.
There are three different swords: foil, épée and sabre. Each weapon has a unique set of rules accompanied by a distinct personality. While each fencer favors something different, junior Kat Kelsch of Tournament Affairs aligns herself with the sabre, the largest of the three swords.
"Épée is the chess player, foil is the playful athlete and sabre is the kid who still has hope that [Jedi] lightsabers are real," Kelsch said. "I felt that one called my name."
In Chicago, the A&M men's épée team placed 2nd and men's foil team placed 5th. In the individual foil competition, Lyndy Black placed 2nd, Zach Bartholomew placed 6th, Nicholas Modawar placed 8th and Robert Wooley placed 9th.
"We are so impressed and proud of our fellow teammates," said Peter Deleeuw, club president and senior biomedical science major. "This was an amazing year for the A&M Fencing Club."
The A&M Fencing team is also first overall in Texas. They compete in the Southwest Intercollegiate Fencing Organization. These team-based competitions take place four times a year against schools such as Texas, Texas State, Baylor and UNT. Moreover, many competitive team members are also registered members of the United States Fencing Association.
"Here, we compete in primarily individual-based events," said Andrew Spriggs, team treasurer and a graduate accounting student. "Many of our members are rated USFA fencers."
But one doesn't have to be a fencing aficionado to join the club. Deleeuw encourages anyone who is interested to come to practice or check out the club website.
"Two people on our sabre team had never fenced before," Deleeuw said. "It's such a great way to burn off steam and have a great time."
==========================================================
From left to right: Jordan Rimmer, senior chemical engineering major, Andrew Spriggs, graduate accounting student, Jackson Blair, junior international studies major and Peter Deleeuw, senior biomedical science major, are members of the Texas A&M men’s épée team, which placed second at the Club National Championships of Fencing