Fencing team points toward new season

The Cal State Long Beach fencing team is gearing up for another action-packed, award-winning season. The team has attacked, lunged, and thrusted its way to the top of the ranks in its conference and intends to stay there.

With a long list of awards and titles credited to the team and individual fencers, the team is training hard for the season that begins Saturday with the Long Beach Invitational-foil competition.

Last year the 49ers were crowned champions of the Intercollegiate Fencing Conference of Southern California. The team took first place in epee competition and second place in foil competition.

The CSULB fencing team began 30 years ago and in that time has made a name for itself in its conference. The team has been conference champions in 11 of the last 15 years. Tarek Yassir, a past team member, is a four-time All-American for CSULB.

CSULB is in the Intercollegiate Fencing Conference of Southern California which includes UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, USC, Cal State Fullerton, and Cal Tech.

Fencing is both a physical and intellectual sport comprised of quick and precise movement. Coordination of blade and footwork is essential to the game. Each fencer wears a uniform comprised of a mask, a glove, and a jacket.

"Fencing is a sweaty, sticky, hot sport," 49er coach Jo Redmon said. "It is not a sissy sport, it is a tough sport. Fencing is a gratifying sport. It's a dual but everyone lives."

Three types of swords are used in fencing: the foil, the epee, and the sabre. The rules and scoring vary with each weapon.

The foil is a point-only weapon. During a foil bout, the target is the torso, excluding the arms and legs.

The epee, or the dueling sword, is a thrusting weapon. The target is the whole body, from the top of the head to the bottom of the foot. The epee game has the least amount of rules. Whoever hits first wins the touch.

The sabre is a cutting and thrusting weapon. The target for sabre is the hip bone and up, including arms and head.

The object of each weapon is to hit the opponent without being hit. The offensive action is made by extending the weapon, threatening the opponent's target. The defensive player uses the weapon to prevent the blade from "landing" or hitting the target area by parrying. The defence then has the option of riposting. Scoring is kept electronically and is based on the number of target hits.

A referee officiates the dual and is responsible for checking equipment to make sure it is legal.

"Fencing is one of the safest sports," Redmon said. "Over two-thirds of the rules are dedicated to safety."

"Fencing is an individual sport which requires creativity on the spot," Redmon added. "Once a dual begins, coaching is limited."

The fencing team is currently seeking a new members. All students are encouraged to join, Redmon said.

"We are especially looking for women. No experience necessary!" Redmon said.

Students interested in joining the fencing team should contact Redmon at (310) 985-4081 or stop by the East Gym. Practices are held Monday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.