Fencing? Really?? At West?
Yes. Fencing! It's an excellent co-ed sport suitable for all ages. Almost
anyone can learn to fence! It is a mentally and physically challenging activity
that one can enjoy for one's entire life, whether one fences purely for
recreation or whether one competes.
Fencing is an exciting spectator sport -- full of drama and excitement. It is
contested both individually and in teams. There are currently three fencing
tournaments each year in Salem (sponsored by Salem Classical Fencing). But, you
don't have to compete to be part of the fencing club and enjoy fencing. The club needs fencers (and would-be fencers) of all skill and interest
levels. So check it out!
Latest News...
September 2004
Members of the club helped out for several days of Salem Classical
Fencing's fencing demonstrations at the Oregon State Fair (August
26-September 6, 2004). Thank you to Alex Grasley, Benjamin Bond, Beth
Lampert, and Chris Marsaglia for helping.
April 2004
The club participated in Salem Classical
Fencing's Spring Invitational Tournament on April 17-18. A total of
39 fencers from seven different
fencing clubs in the Northwest competed in three separate events. Two fencers
from West represented the Titans.
- West Salem freshman Ben Bond took fourth place in open foil on
Saturday afternoon against very strong competition.
- Freshman Chris Marsaglia took fifteenth place in open
foil on
Saturday afternoon (out of a field of 23 fencers, mostly much more
experienced).
- On Sunday, Titan fencing joined forces with the Salem
YMCA Fencing Studio to create a joint fencing team, which took 3rd place in the team foil event.
Team members from West were Ben Bond (captain) and Chris Marsaglia.
- Fencers Alex Grasley, Beth Lampert, and Eric Stipe all
turned out to help officiate at the tournament as well.
Thanks!
Go Titans! Complete
tournament results are available online.
January 2004
The club, in conjunction with Salem Classical
Fencing, hosted West Salem's first fencing tournament ever on January 24-25, 2004. A total of 28 fencers from seven different
fencing clubs in the Northwest competed in three separate events. Five fencers
from West represented the Titans.
- West Salem freshman Ben Bond took second place in open foil on
Saturday afternoon against strong competition.
- Alex Grasley, also a freshman, took 10th place in open foil,
despite a mistake in the tournament seedings.
- Freshman Chris Marsaglia took first place in novice foil on
Saturday morning (his first tournament ever, no less!). He also came back
Saturday afternoon to fence in open foil, where he took a respectable
8th place.
- On Sunday, Titan fencing took 3rd place in the team foil event.
Team members were Ben Bond (captain), Alex Grasley, Scott
Montgomery, and Eric Stipe (all freshmen).
Great job, Titan fencers! Complete
tournament results are available online.
How to get involved
- Fencers!
Talk to Chris Marsaglia, Beth Lampert, or one of the
other fencers listed above and start working together to make
fencing at West a better program.
If you don't know how to fence, but want to learn, sign up
for an introductory class at Salem Classical Fencing. The next
classes start in September and run through December. If there is sufficient
interest (at least six students), Salem Classical Fencing will set
up an after-school fencing class at West for a fee of $70 per
student, including equipment use during class.
- Space
Space after school (and at school) is probably the biggest
priority. Fencing takes room, and it requires a wood floor (in
order to prevent chronic injuries such as shin splints). Half of a
basketball court is about how much space is needed for several
pairs of fencers to practice, but any similarly sized and shaped
space will do (so long as it has a wood floor!).
- Armorer
The fencing club has enough money for some equipment
purchases that the club can share (items that are not sized and
easily shared, like foils), which will help reduce equipment costs
for others. Before this can happen, though, we need a student to
take responsibility for the equipment. Contact Mr.
Stipe if you are interested.
- Webmaster
This web site needs a student to maintain it. Please e-mail Mr.
Heggen if you are interested.
-
Parents
The club needs parent involvement for fundraising and general support,
especially when fencing tournaments come around. Please contact Mr.
Stipe.
-
Faculty
The fencing club can always use faculty support and assistance.
Please contact Mr. Lampert.
About the club
The West Salem High School Fencing Club was created in the spring of 2003 by
a group of fencers at West with help from parents, faculty,
administration, and Mr. Michael Heggen (president of Salem
Classical Fencing).
Its goal is to develop a community of fencers of all levels (novice,
recreational, and competitive) at West Salem High School and to serve as a model
program for fencing at other Salem area high schools.
Page created 2/10/04.
Last updated 09/02/04
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