Meramec’s fencing club, though usually an accessory to the class, is not exclusive to those enrolled in the course.
Will Murry
Art & Life Editor
While Meramec offers a fencing class, which students may take for physical education credit, there’s good news for those who can’t fit it into their schedules.
Meramec’s fencing club, though usually an accessory to the class, is not exclusive to those enrolled in the course. Any Meramec student is eligible to learn the basics of how to fence.
“It’s difficult to find places to fence around St. Louis without paying money, so when I found out when we had a fencing club here I thought it was a perfect opportunity,” said sophomore Paul Cognac. “I always liked it when it was in movies and video games and I thought it would be pretty cool to do.”
Fencing club provides a good look into the basics of fencing. For those students who might not be sold on the idea of taking the full class, the club offers a taste of the course to help
participants decide.
“I took Fencing 1 in one of my spring semesters and it turned out that it was a lot more enjoyable that I thought it was going to be,” said sophomore Jim Mahood. “I don’t really consider it to be much of a spectator sport. It’s a lot more engaging when you’re actually
playing it.”
Fencing club is advised by long-time Meramec fencing class coach Bill McDevitt. Its current president is sophomore Matt Willerding. Willerding started attending the club as an extended interest after taking
McDevitt’s class.
“I started fencing when I was 15,” said Willerding. “My friend was taking a fencing class and his dad was a fencer and he taught us some stuff. Then I started fencing with him and his brothers. They ended up not sticking with it but I did. For some reason it clicked with me. You either like the sport and the psychological aspects of it or you don’t. The club has been around for a really long time. It really got me interested in teaching people how to fence
the basics.”
Fencing club meets in PE 201 on Wednesdays at 6 p. m. All equipment is provided. No prior knowledge of fencing is necessary. Fencing club welcomes people of all interest levels, from the casual to the serious.
