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| ASU Fencing celebrates centinnial, increases
membership |
Jana
Nordstrand
Staff Writer
Clubs / Organizations Beat |
Established at Appalachian
State University in 1902, the fencing club is celebrating their
100-year anniversary 59 members strong.
The club’s increasing popularity may be due to the publicity
found at Club Expo, held Aug. 26 in Plemmons Student Union.
“I saw the booth at Club Expo and just fell in love with it,”
said sophomore sociology major Gretchen E. McHenry, the treasurer
of the club.
The first fencing tournament of the year was held in Broome-Kirk
Gymnasium Saturday, Oct. 5 and Sunday, Oct.6.
Each fencer is given a ranking in order that the competition may
be fair.
The rankings are designated in lettering ranging from A to E. “A”
lettered fencers are on the Olympic level and B, C, D and E lettered
fencers are on a lower skill level.
“I fenced better than I ever had before in this tournament
and I took home a bronze metal. Now I am an ‘E’ lettered
fencer,” said David M. Forbes, a sophomore journalism major.
This year the team has several “C” lettered fencers; however,
most are unclassified.
As it seems with so many sports, fencing may look easier than it
really is.
The object of any fencing tournament is for either opponent to accomplish
15 touches first.
The sport is so intense that after fencing for three minutes a one-minute
break is taken, said Forbes.
Although it is a sport where opponents stage a mock duel that in
past history could have been deadly, proper etiquette is strictly
abided by.
In fencing, if an opponent refuses to salute before a duel or will
not shake the opponent’s hand afterwards, that person is immediately
disqualified for that tournament and for six months of competition,
said Forbes.
The team fences with three different weapons.
A foil is a light thrusting weapon where only touches to the torso
count, whereas the epee is a similar weapon to the foil where touches
anywhere on the body count.
A sabre is a slashing weapon where touches anywhere on the body
count.
Scoring is done with electrical scoring equipment. A body cord is
attached to the fencer that sends a signal when a touch occurs.
“I am not an athlete and never have been, but this sport has
nothing to do with athleticism. It has to do with stamina, intelligence
and perceptiveness,” said McHenry.
“We are like a family; it’s a community. Plus, it’s
good anger management,” said Allison D. Rose, a sophomore history
secondary education major.
The fencing team meets every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. in Broome-Kirk
Gymnasium.
There are no dues, with the exception of a $30 insurance fee for
the United States Fencing Association (USFA) in case of injuries. |
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