September 24, 2003

Club gets the point across

Fencing Club at West High draws 20 new members

By Carol South
Special to the Herald

A couple dozen students and counting have been captivated by a sport nicknamed 'physical chess.'
The Fencing Club based at Traverse City West High School began last March and has been drawing an eager core of aspiring fencers determined to master this complex and demanding sport. Using foils and donning a full range of protective gear provided by coach Bill Koucky, the students duel in an official 'strip' - essentially a fencing ring.

Herald photo by Carol South
The Fencing Club based at Traverse City West High School draws aspiring fencers from around the district to learn the basics of footwork, technique and sword play of this ancient sport.

Koucky, who has been fencing for more than two decades, also provides electronic sensory equipment for both foils and fencers. This equipment is used to score a match by noting mark hits.
Whether wired up for practice on the strip or scrimmaging elsewhere, fencers are always thinking and always moving - dancing an elaborate ballet of feint, thrust, counter and withdraw.
"You always have to be thinking about what the opponent is going to do next," said Mike Hochscheidt, a senior at West High School who began fencing last spring. "It is a lot of fun and good exercise, but nine-tenths of it is waiting for an opening."
Fencing is a sport for both males and females and the core group that has been in the club since last spring is divided 50-50. Senior Chelsea Soyring began fencing in May, relishing the sport's unique qualities.
"It is different than all other sports that I've played," said Soyring, who also plays tennis. "It is an individual sport, there's no one else helping you in a match."
Soyring noted that the target range for scoring in fencing is anywhere on the padded, protective jacket. However, the arms, legs and facemask are off limits, adding aim and accuracy to the skill set.
"It is hard work to make sure you keep your point on target," said Soyring, who really enjoys fencing with her friends. "It takes lots of practice."
The club meets twice a week at the school throughout the school year, every Monday and Wednesday evenings. At their first meeting Wednesday, members welcomed interested students from the district and their parents for an open house. Koucky outlined the sport, its safety equipment and rules and students gave a demonstration of a match. On Monday, the club was pleased to have 20 new people join them.
In fact, Koucky was thrilled at the interest. A strong proponent of the sport, he believes that it can provide a host of life skills that go beyond athletics.
"Fencing is a very disciplined sport," said Koucky, who began fencing after college and has been teaching the sport locally for more than six years. "You have to be thinking all the time, while moving, and it is just training your mind and body, putting them both together and that can benefit anybody."
Learning fencing has had one downside for some participants: they can dissect and cringe at the feeble attempts at swordplay portrayed in the movies. While Hollywood has long loved swashbuckling sword fights, the techniques, footwork and sword handling are usually wrong - laughably wrong - club members noted.
"You can never watch a movie like Star Wars again," said Hochscheidt, of the movie's famous light sabers.
Tyler Blaum, a senior at West High School and a devoted fencer, ironically came to the sport because he loved the larger-than-life onscreen sword fights. A friend introduced him to fencing last spring and he instantly captivated. He began working with Koucky and the school to start the club.
Until that was formed, he fenced with a few others at Koucky's home. The coach, who had previously worked with students and the community at the Interlochen Pathfinder School, hosted the Traverse City Fencing Club at his home for a few years.
Blaum fenced all summer, going back at Koucky's to keep his skills sharp when school was closed. He also noted that he has a tennis ball hanging by a string in his closet so he can practice his aim, quickness and lunging.
"We've only done the foil here but I'd like to move on to the epee," said Blaum, of the three fencing swords, the third being the saber. "We want to grow as a club here and get involved in tournaments."