Sitting off the fence

The members of the Portland State Fencing Club had to be content fencing amongst themselves in the Valhalla Épée Invitational fencing tournament held at the Academic and Student Recreation Center on Saturday after last-minute cancellations from Oregon and Lower Columbia College.

Club president Jenny Grant voiced her disappointment in the cancellations.

“We were looking forward to fencing with everyone, but it’s been a fun opportunity for us to spend a day fencing,” she said.

Due to lack of outside participants, the club played an intra-team tournament involving all three fencing styles, namely épée, foil and sabre.

Grant, who specializes in the foil style of fencing, said that in light of the cancellations, she was happy to get some practice with other styles.

“I spent time with some weapons that I don’t usually fence with,” Grant said. “We have some of the best facilities on this side of the Mississippi, and it’s really bad that the other teams didn’t show up”

Coach Ethan Brown said, “I think everyone did great and had a lot of fun. Some players used weapons they had never used before. I am proud of all of them.”

Brown noted that club member Devin Thompson is one of his rising stars.

“He has been destroying competition left and right, and he is a natural at fencing,” he said.

“Someday I would love to see Portland State have a NCAA team but that’s a long way off. Right now, it’s mostly just a fun club, and we have our rivals in Oregon State and Reed College,” Brown said.

The Fencing Club practices in room 440 of the ASRC from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays.