The CRLS Fencing team is back in action! In February of 2015, fencing was added to the long list of sports at CRLS, one that would be offered in both fall and winter. Since then, the team has won several awards, including last winter’s State Championship for the Women’s Epee team.
At CRLS there are three kinds of swords: epee, foil, and saber. Epees and foils are pointy, and fencing with them involves thrusting. Sabres, on the other hand, are shorter and require the use of a slashing motion.
An important aspect of fencing is the careful strategy and thought that goes into the sport itself. Fencing is multi-faceted and requires a large range of skills. Captain of the men’s Foil team, Finn Graham ’26, described fencing as “physical chess.” He explained, “You have to anticipate what your opponent is going to do, and try to be in control of the bout.”
The majority of CRLS Fencing participants had no previous fencing experience whatsoever when they joined the team, including Graham, who told the Register Forum, “I knew CRLS had a fencing team because I always wanted to try fencing but wasn’t able to, so I was super excited to start once I started high school. Fencing always seemed really cool and fun so I wanted to try it out. I immediately loved it and fenced both seasons last year, and this year I came back as a captain!”
In addition to building the members’ individual fencing skills, the team has proven to be an integral environment for them to bond and build community. According to the fencers, one of the best parts of the sport is the sense of camaraderie that is tied to it. The men’s Saber team captain, Ezra Lee ’26, told the Register Forum, “I thought that sports teams were a toxic, loud, stressful mess. I joined CRLS fencing expecting the same, but I found a great community, a fun sport, and a lot of friends.”
Kristen Chun ’25, captain of the women’s Foil team, echoed this statement, elaborating on the strength of team spirit in CRLS Fencing. She commented, “Whether we’re on the bus, on the way to a tournament, all singing together to hype ourselves up, or at the tournament cheering each other on, we’re always there to support our teammates.”
Aiming to win a State Championship once again, the CRLS Fencing team is training hard to qualify for the competition. Graham noted that the main goal for the fencing team this year “is to win states.” He added, “We work really hard and have made a lot of improvements since last year.” Chun added to this, stating that the team ultimately hopes to “help new fencers become familiar with the sport,” while simultaneously “having returning fencers become confident on the strip.”
