My Fencing Center Members
 | Margaret Brunelle, Head Coach Weapon: Epee,foil,saber
Biggest Accomplishment: Competing in five events at the 2005 US Nationals and placing 26th out of 96 fencers in Div 3 saber. A close second is teaching my students. Each achievement they make whether it is winning a medal or getting one touch off each of their opponents make me just burst with pride for them. Biggest benefit of fencing: Learning to attain goals,meeting new people,losing weight and toning up. Goals: To improve my ratings.One day go to a NAC. How has fencing changed your life: I am much more confident in my life.Fencing has open doors I never knew were there. |
 | Anthony Vallerga, Assistant Coach Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing: Losing weight, and uh...spending time away from the computer! Goals: Entering a tournament in the future, when time provides it. How has fencing changed your life:Spend MORE time away from the computer. |
 | Will Carlon, Assistant Coach Weapon:Epee,Foil,Saber
Biggest Accomplishment: . Biggest benefit of fencing: . Goals: . How has fencing changed your life: . Funniest moment in fencing: . |
 | Sam Geddie Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment: Winning my first medal, a silver, at my very first tournament in Reno, NV. Biggest benefit of fencing: Its a really good workout and I am more flexible. Goals: Get an E rating. How has fencing changed your life: I can say I do a sport outside of school. Funniest moment in fencing:There are so many funny moments at the club it is hard to choose just one. |
 | Eric Rogers Weapon:Foil,Epee
Biggest Accomplishment: Winning a Bronze medal in my first tournament. Biggest benefit of fencing: Having fun. Goals: To pass the referee test. How has fencing changed your life: Im more fit then I was. Funniest moment in fencing:Sitting around talking about the study of Uranus. |
 | Liam Hays Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing: . Goals: . How has fencing changed your life: . Funniest moment in fencing: . |
 | Kade Vantine Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing:Fencing raises the assertiveness of a person because in fencing you can't just stand by and let the other person attack, you have to bring the attack to them. Goals:I have 2 main goals that I would like to accomplish in fencing. 1 is to beat Sam when he returns to fencing in a couple weeks because that would really raise my self-esteem and the other is to get a medal in a tournament because that would also raise my self-esteem and if I did not get a 1st place medal it would make me strive to do better. How has fencing changed your life:Fencing has changed my life because it has made me stronger mentally and physically. When on the strip you need to think fast and be fast. Funniest moment in fencing: I can't remember the funniest moment in fencing because it is always fun to be around Coach Margaret and all the other fencers. The y will all sometimes make funny comments and everyone will burst out laughing. |
 | Alex Robertson Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment: Getting 5th on my first tournament! Biggest benefit of fencing:Having the ability to sword fight ninjas in dark alleys! :) (agility) Goals:To be world champion of course. How has fencing changed your life:It's given me more confidence. Funniest moment in fencing:Hearing someone yelling "BOW! BOWWOW!" at Nationals." |
 | Avery Herbert Weapon:Foil,Epee,Saber
Biggest Accomplishment:Qualifing and fencing at the 2011 US Nationals. Biggest benefit of fencing:I am stronger. Goals:getting a rating at an outside tournament. How has fencing changed your life:Fencing has changed my life because it gives me new opportunities and something to look forward to every week. Not to mention meeting my great coach and new friends . Funniest moment in fencing:Driving to San Fran with coach and her bird! Good times. |
 | Kalista Vera Weapon:Foil,Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:Going to my first tournament and getting 9th place out of 11.At my second tournament I won my first D.E.!! Biggest benefit of fencing:It's fun and I get a good workout at the same time! Goals:To go to more tournaments and hopefully one day make it to the Olympics. How has fencing changed your life:It gave me confidence in myself and has helped me be more competitive. Funniest moment in fencing:Doing funny poses with Alex Danielle and Avery for the pictures . |
 | Matthew Johnson Weapon:Foil
Biggest Accomplishment: . Biggest benefit of fencing: . Goals: . How has fencing changed your life: . Funniest moment in fencing: . |
 | Aline Ingelson-Filpula Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:My biggest accomplishment in fencing was probably when I won a match and almost another in one of our club tournaments. I won against Maggie, and scored a lot of points against Eric. I felt very amazed and proud of myself that I was able to fence that well! Biggest benefit of fencing:I believe that the greatest benefit of fencing for me is the physical exercise. My legs and arms have gotten much stronger, especially when Will came back to class! Fencing has also improved my mental acuity and tactical skills. I have enjoyed trying to analyze different fencers' styles to try to find ways to score points. Goals: I look forward to going to local, state and national tournaments. How has fencing changed your life:Similar to the previous question, fencing has changed my life because of the strength I have accrued--both physical and mental. I feel my future in fencing is one of great potential. Funniest moment in fencing:One of the funniest moments when fencing was during my first mock club tournament. I was already feeling very happy, as I had won a match. Then, I went up against Eric, my "arch-enemy". I knew, and know, that he fences very well and is famous for his infights. I knew that I couldn't let him get close, so when he was coming towards me, I extended and hit him on the underside of the wrist! After I scored many of these basic touches, he actually yelled in annoyance! I was laughing very hard by then! (Even though Eric ended up winning the bout, I still felt proud of myself!) |
 | Isaiah Venegas Weapon:Foil,Saber,Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:Getting a Silver medal in my first tournament even though I was sick . Biggest benefit of fencing:It is very fun . Goals:To obtain a good ranking in fencing. How has fencing changed your life:I can evaluate/ read peoples intentions better. Funniest moment in fencing: When Coach forgets peoples names. |
 | Matt Bailey Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing: . Goals: How has fencing changed your life: Funniest moment in fencing: |
 | Alex Danielle Hawkins Weapon:Foil
Biggest benefit of fencing:My biggest benefit of fencing is I'm so freaking strong now, oh my gosh, I know I was a dancer and do martial arts, but nothing really strengthened those leg muscles like endless advances and retreats and holding lunges for like 5 minutes. . Goals:Rating, bro! How has fencing changed your life:Fencing has really changed my life, I made so many new friends, I discovered something that I was good at, but the thing is, I really felt I had no natural talent at all, so I had to work for it, I had to believe in myself, Never give up, never give in. I learned that there is always going to be someone out there younger and training harder, but giving up or whining about it isn't going to help you. Fencing gave me motivation to get off my butt and work for something. Funniest moment in fencing:The funniest moment must have been the car ride to Reno, and back, but I can't write about that, cause we all know the club rules, what happens in Reno stays in Reno ;)" |
 | Aislinn Martin Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing:Exercising body as well as mind. Goals:Get to Junior Olympics for Epee How has fencing changed your life:Made me more fit, and made strategy more easy to come about . Funniest moment in fencing:Beating Eric using a drunken-Samurai-to-Scorpion move :) . |
 | Georgy Viktorovich Romanyuk Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing:Deeper insight into people's character: ability to analyse the opponent and act accordingly; sort of like game theory, but with pointy objects. . Goals:Developing speed enough to capitalise on the opponent's mistakes. How has fencing changed your life:Madame coach made me want to be a better man. Funniest moment in fencing:The exchange of entertaining anecdotes mid-way through fencing bouts, and generally questionable humour exhibited by virtually every club member make sure that there is no single funniest moment, but establish a uniform standard of hilarity." |
 | Nate Schwartz Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing:Having something fun to do that gets me away from the computer and out of the house. Goals:Attend more tournaments and get a rating, also finally beat "madame coach" without having to resort to distractions or yelling. How has fencing changed your life:Fencing has pulled me away from my computer and given me a break from classes and homework. Funniest moment in fencing:The Russian Hat incident (you had to be there)! |
 | Jhon Mitchell Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing: . Goals: How has fencing changed your life: Funniest moment in fencing: |
 | Anthony Butcher Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing:The excitement."Fencing helps keep me continue to be focused in school. Margaret inspires you to do well in your classes so that you can continue coming to fencing. Goals: Better defense on different strategies of attack.To go to another tournament and get at least 2nd or 3rd place How has fencing changed your life:I'm having fun- I enjoy practices, my coach, and the tournaments. I like how I have improved.Fencing helps me improve my communication skills and athletic skills." Funniest moment in fencing:When Margaret makes jokes out of some of her mistakes while she is teaching the class. |
| Elliot Lasell Weapon:Foil
Biggest Accomplishment:I got to fencing class going through the worst hail storm ever. That’s a pretty big accomplishment. Biggest benefit of fencing:It gives you good opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and its good fun. Goals:Right now I’m just trying to get better at fencing. How has fencing changed your life:I finally got dad off the couch to fence with me and I get to poke him with a pointy object. Funniest moment in fencing:The one day Coach Margaret told her story about babysitting and exploding popcorn. |
 | Phillip Long Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment: Biggest benefit of fencing:The exercise and the fun I have while fencing. Goals:I'd like to make a live action 2 hour film, keep up my good grades, and last but definitely not least I'd like to beat either Ryan or Felipe in a bout. How has fencing changed your life:It has made me look forward to Wednesday and Friday afternoons. I've met some great people,like Alize, whom I heard about last spring during the play"Oliver". And I'm doing something I really enjoy and have been wanting to try for a long time and finally get to do. Funniest moment in fencing:When I was fencing Ryan during the tournament at the club, he made a touch on my chin, but it was hard, and it made my mask fly up and you could see my face. We both laughed and so did some other people, mostly because it was the last point and it was kinda like he was unmasking me. |
 | Gabe Desalegne Weapon:Epee,saber
Biggest benefit of fencing:The workout. Goals:To be as good as I can be! How has fencing changed your life:It has challenged me to open my eyes and see things more specifically Funniest moment in fencing:When Coach Margaret kept hitting me in the head the first time I put my mask on. |
| | Isabelle Hallin Weapon:Foil,Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing:Fencing has changed my life by making me a stronger person by strength. Goals:Learn how to referee. How has fencing changed your life:Fencing has changed my life by making me a stronger person. Funniest moment in fencing: The funniest thing was Coach poking the kids in the face with there mask on for the first time and Coach getting out her blue beat stick & making it beep lol . |
 | Ender Mills Weapon:Epee,Foil,Saber
Biggest benefit of fencing: . Goals: . How has fencing changed your life: . Funniest moment in fencing: . |
 | Dylan Lawson Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing:It is a neat skill to learn and it's FUN! . Goals:To beat Anthony because he's pretty hard to beat. How has fencing changed your life: It has made me stronger. Funniest moment in fencing:The time I kept sliding in warm ups because they waxed the floors. |
| | Shairah Acojedo Weapon:Epee,Saber
Biggest benefit of fencing: . Goals: . How has fencing changed your life: . Funniest moment in fencing: . |
| | Rachael Bomactao Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing: . Goals: . How has fencing changed your life: . Funniest moment in fencing: . |
 | Bob Chang Weapon:Epee, Foil
Biggest Accomplishment: Winning my first rating, a D, within six months of learning to fence. Biggest benefit of fencing: Learning all the wisdom my coach imparts to me. Goals: Not working so hard so I can show up to class on time and more often. How has fencing changed your life: I have meet a lot of great people especially my Coach who is like the most AWESOME coach Ive ever meet. I also love having get togethers over at my place where we watch movies and play video games. Funniest moment in fencing:Jumping off the side of the wall to score a touch and playing blindfold fencing and winning. |
 | Taylor Gordon Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing:Getting to travel to tournaments. Goals: My number one goal in fencing is to HAVE FUN!! How has fencing changed your life:I can move. I can run. I CAN ENDURE! Funniest moment in fencing:"There WAS a rock in my shoe. I swear!" |
 | Kim Corfman Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing: The consistent exercise has given me back my strength and toned my muscles Goals: I'd like to earn my first rating in epee in 08/09, learn a new weapon, achieve a quicker reflex to attacks, increase my upper body strength How has fencing changed your life:I have a whole new circle of friends here in Chico, and also in the Bay Area from the tournaments I've attended, I believe it has helped my confidence in myself grow as well. Funniest moment in fencing:I was at a tournament and I was fencing a man over 6' tall and I couldn't get a shot on him. I could hear my coach in my head saying, "If it doesn't work, do something else". So, in my frustration I charged at him and stepped on his front toe with one foot and ran up his shin with my other foot. I don't remember if I got the shot, but I remember seeing if his leg was OK, and laughing, because I had this image of me running up his body like it was a wall and doing a back flip and stabbing him! |
 | Lindsay Duke Weapon:Epee,Foil
Biggest benefit of fencing:Having fun and getting to build up my muscles.P> Goals: My goal is to be able to execute a third intention flech properly. How has fencing changed your life:Fencing has improved my hand eye coordination making me quicker when i fence. Funniest moment in fencing:One night I was fencing a team mate and I hit her rather "stoutly" in the thigh.However her hit reached me first so it was just her touch.Well she got a bit riled and insisted that we all see this hit.Before we knew it she had somehow with out taking of her fencing jacket removed her knickers so we could all see the freshly received bruise.It was such a quick thing for one moment she is in her fencing gear and next minute she is prancing around in her shorts! |
 | Becky Springer Weapon: Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing:My enhanced self confidence. Goals:Eventually going to a tournament in another country!! How has fencing changed your life:It has made me more decisive,which is actually a great feat. Funniest moment in fencing:Ive always gotten a good laugh with Cheryl and her battle with her shoes. Another funny one was when the class was doing a quad stretch and instead of grabbing the wall to steady herself she leaned up against a door that ended up not being lock and it opened up and she almost fell outside to the ground. |
 | Sigrid "Happy" Wakefield Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment: Winning my first D.E. round. Biggest benefit of fencing:Having such a wonderful coach and friend. Goals:To not be last. |
 | Cheryl Wakefield Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment: My first bronze medal! Biggest benefit of fencing:Its great for your mind and gets your body moving. Goals: To do a proper balestra, and fleche and start to learn saber and foil. How has fencing changed your life:I am more athletic and have more stamina. Funniest moment in fencing:You wouldn't think that shoes could be funny but for me they have caused some real funny moments.Shoes have been my enemy since I started fencing.At one tournament I did a retreat an my shoe went flying off my foot almost causing me to be yellow carded for undressing on the strip! |
 | Hannah Janssen Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment: Actually doing well at a sport, the idea is to win while playing by the rules, not win at all costs which makes the level of competition easy for me to follow. Biggest benefit of fencing: It's exercise that isn't boring, but a bout can be the longest 3 minutes in the world. Goals: I'd like to start playing foil more because it helped my point control in epee, but I want my own equipment for it. Also going to the Olympics or even a competition overseas would be nice, just to see how fencing is promoted in other countries. How has fencing changed your life: I lost inches in my hips and waist and a few pounds, which is nice. Funniest moment in fencing:During a bout at the club I remember getting twisted up in the reel cords with Lindsay (Duke) |
 | Ryan Gordon Weapon:Epee Biggest Accomplishment: Winning a bronze medal at a very deep tournament at a Stanford University tournament. |
 | Thaddeus Barry Weapon:Epee,Foil Biggest Accomplishment: Being able to train at Halberstadt with Olympic level coaches. |
 | Cameron Hoffman Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:Going to my first tournament and having to fence with my right hand because we couldnt fine a left hand glove. I held my own but it gave me a chance to get used to fencing other people I didn't know. I then found a lefty glove and fenced the last event and ended up placing 9th out of 15 people, and this with just two months of fencing! Biggest benefit of fencing: It saves me from needing to go to the gym Goals: To place in a tournament, How has fencing changed your life: It has made want to exercise |
 | Tim Lockard Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:biggest fencing accomplishments looking back on my two month fencing carer are scoring a bronze medal in my first tournament in Arcata and a silver in a tournament put on by MFC Biggest benefit of fencing:Doing something with my teen daughter that we both enjoy.Fencing is a good outlet that forces me to concentrate on something other than every day stress. Fencing is great mental and physical exercise. Goals:Work hard and continue to improve. Eventually win some tournaments. Learn the other disciplines especially saber. How has fencing changed your life:Fencing has been a very positive change in my life. I get exercise and get to use my very competitive side well doing something I really enjoy. Ive met many great people and made some new friends that I hope to keep for many years. Funniest moment in fencing:Margaret fleching an opponent on the strip during a DE bout and kept going to chase after Kaylynn for talking smack about her coaching. |
 | Kaylynn Lockard Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:Winning my four bronze medals in the first six months of my fencing. Biggest benefit of fencing:The biggest benefit I've had while fencing is getting the exercise I need and making new friends Goals:My goals for fencing are to become better and maybe even get a silver medal. How has fencing changed your life:It has given me a new challenge, and something fun to do and look forward to three times a week. Funniest moment in fencing:The funniest fencing moment I've ever had was when Margaret left her DE match to chase after me. |
 | Blaine Pace Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment: Going to my first tournament and winning a bronze medal! If we had just one more fencer show up I could have received my E rating. Biggest benefit of fencing: It helps me focus. Goals:To get my first rating.FLASH! Mission accomplished 2/15/09.Good Job Blaine! How has fencing changed your life:It makes me exercise. Funniest moment in fencing: Accidentally hitting the very tip of my weapon with another fencers tip. I have even done this at tournaments! |
| Calvin Wiltermood Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:Getting through my first tournament without dying. Biggest benefit of fencing:Getting my arms in shape. Goals:Winning a gold medal sometime in my fencing career. How has fencing changed your life:I have met a lot of new friends. Funniest moment in fencing:When I keep huffing to get the hair out of my eyes, and Margaret called me a teapot! |
 | Larry Gordon Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:That I could actually do it. Biggest benefit of fencing:Gets me out of the house. Goals: To fence my sons. How has fencing changed your life:It got me to be active again. Funniest moment in fencing:When I severed by Achilles tendon on Friday the 13th! |
 | Brad Bailey Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing: . Goals: How has fencing changed your life: Funniest moment in fencing: |
| Elliott Meyerpeter Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment: Winning my first bout. Biggest benefit of fencing:Getting a good workout. Goals:Win first place in a tournament. How has fencing changed your life:I have less time at home, more time to fence. Funniest moment in fencing:When Blaine bent his sword on my arm. |
| Ben Meyerpeter Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:Scoring 3 points on Tim. Biggest benefit of fencing:A way to get out of the house and do something fun. Goals:To have fun learning how to fence with friends and beat every one in the class. How has fencing changed your life:Ive made new friends, going to bed at 11:00pm! Funniest moment in fencing:The funniest moment and the saddest is doing the "chicken eye" with Margaret. |
| Sam Meyerpeter Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:Going Le Belle with Coach. Biggest benefit of fencing:Fencing the most times. Goals:Becoming as good as Coach! How has fencing changed your life:It is one more sport that I can say that I can do. Funniest moment in fencing: |
| Taylor Sharpton Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:To take advice from experienced fencers and learn from them. Biggest benefit of fencing:To see other people better than me teach beginners some skills that to me is something that the club is not short of; understanding each other. Goals:To follow through with attacks and be more confident in my attacks How has fencing changed your life:I get to meet new people and see how well they knew each other Funniest moment in fencing:I think the funniest moment in fencing is that when we play soccer we play anyway that seems fun to us no matter how bad or good some people might be. |
| Cecily Wainschel Weapon:Foil,Epee
Biggest Accomplishment: Winning gold at my first foil tournament and fighting the flu at the same time. Biggest benefit of fencing:My mom can't yell at me for being lazy anymore Goals:To become better at epee How has fencing changed your life:My legs aren't as flabby |
| Alain Millon Weapon:Foil,Epee
Biggest Accomplishment:Starting competing again. Biggest benefit of fencing:Learning to lose or win with grace. Goals: Improving my overall fencing skills, making it to the Nationals and eventually going to a tournament in Europe. How has fencing changed your life:Brings focus and determination that can transcend into every day life. Funniest moment in fencing:Forgetting that DE bouts only go to ten in my fist veteran tournament and therefore messing up in a huge way as I was led 9 to 6. . |
| Kirsten Middlebrook Weapon:Epee
Biggest Accomplishment: Finally getting the "advance, retreat, advance, LUNGE!" steps.. Biggest benefit of fencing: It's fun and it's good exercise. Goals:I plan on following through with fencing and competing in at least some small tournaments.. How has fencing changed your life:It has broadened my mind to new things and, now I know what sport I should be invovled in. Funniest moment in fencing: When I wore sandals and had to do the exercises barefoot..I slid everywhere. (: |
 | Rigo Oceguera Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing: . Goals: How has fencing changed your life: Funniest moment in fencing: |
| | Andrew Klassen Weapon:Epee
Biggest benefit of fencing:Getting more in shape. Goals:To win a medal at the Dare Mighty Things Open tournament! How has fencing changed your life:It has given me something to do, most of the time before fencing, I would sit at home being bored, but now I have something to look forward to. Funniest moment in fencing:When people actually try to use the Fencing Unicorn in an actual match and it totally fails. |