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The University of Wisconsin– Stevens Point Fencing Club hosted their second annual spring tourna ment on May 3. Three other fencing clubs joined UW-SP in two separate events, the sabre and the foil.

The University of Wisconsin– Stevens Point Fencing Club hosted their second annual spring tourna ment on May 3. Three other fencing clubs joined UW-SP in two separate events, the sabre and the foil. The other partici pating clubs were from Notre Dame Academy, the Stevens Point YMCA and the UW –Marshfield/Wood County.

“There were 10 fencers in the sabre event and 24 in the foil event,” said Aaron McTavish, a coach for the UW-SP club.

UW-SP students fared well in the competition, sev eral placing in the top three in either one or both events. Nick Gengler placed first in the foil and second in the sabre; Mike Blair placed second and Christopher Robbins placed third in the foil; Mark Juetten took third in the sabre.

Fencers from a wide array of age groups participated in the competition. “The young est fencer was in their early teens, the oldest in their fifties. Age made no difference in the outcome,” said McTavish. “This is common in fencing. It’s one of the few heavily ath letic sports [where] age makes little difference.”

The spring tournament featured two of the three events found in fencing. The small est and lightest of the three swords used is the foil, which is why members of the UW-SP club are required to start out with it before they move on to the two other swords. The sabre, which is the second-lightest sword in fencing, was also used in the competition. The heaviest sword, the épée, was not featured in the spring tournament.

According to the UW-SP Fencing Club Web site, fenc ing is a modern variation of dueling. Anyone is allowed to join the UW-SP club provided they pay the membership fee. Students pay $10 per year, and non-students pay $25. Members do not have to own their own equipment, the club provides it.

DVDs of the spring tour nament can be purchased throughout the summer by downloading the order form from the Fencing Club Web site: http://www.uwsp.edu/stuorg/fencing/downloads/tourna ment_dvd_order_form.pdf.