Club gives students a stab at fencing

By Chris McFadden

mcfaddenc@thejohnsonian.com

Fencing club member Josh Lindower competes with other students in tournaments nearby. At the Tiger Open at Clemson University, members advanced through the tournament bracket. Photo by Kathleen Brown - brownk@thejohnsonian.comThey hold their weapon of choice as they practice techniques that will help them in their next battle.

Later, the sound of metal striking metal fills the air in the West Center as they try to integrate the techniques they just learned into their strategy to defeat their opponent.

These Winthrop students are engaged in an activity that can be seen in movies and TV shows, such as the Zorro television series.

Fencing is one of the club sports offered by the Office of Recreational Services. The season lasts for the whole school year with fencers participating in tournaments throughout the year, according to fencing club member Josh Lindower.

The club practices Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. in the West Center.

Even though the club does compete in tournaments, the club, according to its club sport charter, is more interested in “having fun while improving our minds and bodies.

Lindower, a mass communications major, is one of the 17 members of the club coached by Micheal Edgecomb.

“Michael is a Winthrop alumni and a part of the Charlotte fencing academy,” Lindower said.

Fencing is a sport not many people are familiar with, other than what is portrayed in movies and on television.

Unlike those portrayals, there are rules to the sport.

“There are three, three minute periods that go to 15 points. Points are earned by hitting the target area with the tip of their blade on their opponents body,” Lindower said. “The target area is literally from the bottom of the foot to the head.”

Fencing is an Olympic sport that has been a part of the modern games since their beginning and uses three weapons, the foil, epee and the saber, the USA Fencing Organization explained.

Immigrant Germans brought the sport to the United States in the late 1800’s, according to the United States Fencing Association.

Recently, the club competed in the Tiger Open at Clemson University where some members advanced through the bracket, Lindower informed.

The grace and the focus needed to participate in the sport is evident as fencing club continues its practice. Just as evident is the fun the members are having.

 Anyone interested in joining the club just needs to attend a practice on Tuesday or Thursday and bring with them a photocopy of their insurance card.