Contributor, Aquinnah McGrath

The Avenues fencing team made an impressive showing at this year’s ISFL Individual Championships, showcasing both skill and resilience. The competition was particularly challenging, especially for the team’s incoming freshmen, many of whom only began fencing in November. Despite the tough field, the team performed admirably, with several fencers coming tantalizingly close to medal placements.

Avenues entered 11 fencers into the ISFL Individual Championships, achieving outstanding results in a highly competitive environment. Caleb Bahk won the Bronze Medal in Boys’ Saber, while Noe Mathew placed 5th in Women's Épée. Additionally, four fencers—Lucas Harder (Men's Foil), Theo Kuehn (Men's Épée), Doris Shan (Women's Épée), and Javier Mendez (Men's Foil)—all had incredibly close matches, each losing 14-15 in the Direct Elimination Rounds. A single point separated them from advancing further and potentially earning medals.

“We were very impressed with how our team fenced,” said team captain Caleb. “Sanaya Dastur placed ninth, and Lucas Harder was just one point away from a medal after an intense bout against one of the top fencers in the league.”

The team’s freshmen also left a strong impression. Many of them displayed remarkable improvement over the course of the season, a testament to their dedication and the support of their teammates. “It was incredible to see how much our freshmen have grown in just a few months,” Caleb added.

Leadership on and off the Strip

As varsity captains, Caleb and Noe have taken on crucial leadership roles, guiding their teammates both in practice and during competition. Their responsibilities go beyond fencing—they mentor younger team members, referee practice bouts, and manage essential meet logistics.

“We lead daily practices and help with one-on-one lessons,” Noe explained. “During meets, we track scores, manage inventory, and coach teammates when needed.” Their dedication has fostered a strong sense of camaraderie, helping to integrate new members into the team’s culture.

Overcoming Challenges, Building a Team

The start of the season presented a unique challenge: building connections with the freshmen, many of whom were entirely new to the sport. However, as the season progressed, the team’s dynamic strengthened.

“At the beginning of the season, it was hard to connect with the newer fencers,” Noe admitted. “But as time went on, we bonded through training and competition. The older team members coaching the younger ones really helped us grow as a team.”

Personal Triumphs and Shared Success

For Caleb, a standout moment was making it into the semifinals for the second year in a row. “Last year, I reached the medal round with an upset victory. This year, seeing my fencing improve so much was a great feeling. Standing on the podium again, but this time with a teammate, was incredibly special. Additionally, I got to coach one of my close teammates throughout her round of pools, which helped her secure a solid spot going into the Direct Elimination round.”

Noe also had a memorable experience during the competition. “I had this really special moment facing one of our own teammates, Lucrecia Cabrera-Quintana, who has only been fencing for four months. Seeing her progress and being able to share that moment in competition was inspiring.”

Looking Ahead: Closing the Season Strong

With the team championships on the horizon, the focus now shifts to closing out the season on a high note.

“Right now, our goal is to win the rest of our meets and finish strong at the team championships,” said Caleb. “We also want to make sure our seniors end their last season with great memories.”

As the season progresses, one thing is clear: Avenues Fencing is not just about individual success—it’s about growth, teamwork, and creating lasting bonds through the sport. With strong leadership and an unwavering team spirit, the future of Avenues Fencing looks bright.

Interview by - Jesminder Vega, Chair of Communications

Avenues’ fencing program isn’t just about individual skill. It’s about building a strong, cohesive team. This year, fencing coach Len Battifarano implemented a mentorship program focused on making a difference. After tryouts revealed a mix of experienced and brand-new fencers, Coach Len drew inspiration from his own experience mentoring at Columbia University’s Graduate School. Coach explained, “I just had the idea of mentorship in my head,”  and decided to pair upperclassmen with freshmen and sophomores.
 

The program’s goals are threefold:

1.  To foster team unity
2. To improve the skills of younger fencers, and 
3. To enhance the awareness of older fencers. 

As Coach Len said,“If I’m trying to teach you foil fencing…and I’ve been doing it a long time, I’ve got some bad habits.” By mentoring, the older fencers refine their own techniques while providing invaluable guidance to their younger teammates.

He shared an example of senior Theo, who mentored freshman Lucretia, a brand-new fencer. He explained how Theo works with her “every day, 15 or 20 minutes…helping her execute fencing moves as if they were in a real match.” Coach Len also believes this benefits Theo, saying, “It does because he has to think it…it creates a much closer team.” This close interaction extends beyond just the fencing technique. Coach Len emphasizes the importance of the older fencers helping the younger ones with everything from understanding the rules and etiquette to even getting dressed in the complex fencing gear.“It’s like a big sister kind of thing,” he noted.

The mentorship program has already shown positive results. Not only have the newer fencers improved significantly, with some even winning bouts early in the season, but the team’s overall dynamic has also improved. “What I’m really most proud of is how close the team is,” he shared. “These guys were just totally into being together.” He even recounted how some students told him their fencing experience this year was “so much better than last year.” Coach humbly credits the students for their hard work, but it’s clear his mentorship program is playing a key role in their success. As Coach Len put it, the program’s aim is to create “a team which is really close, 9th through 12th. Everybody is working with everybody else every day.”