Orford
The moment captured the spirit of the fledgling team which, though it’s yet to take part in a tournament, has doubled its ranks since the end of last school year. These days, as many as 14 or 15 middle and high school students show up to practice, including one girl.
Now in its third year, the student-founded team started with just a handful of members. It limped along at times, beset by worn and insufficient equipment and uneven enthusiasm. Yet a handful of students kept it going, even after their first coach, a Rivendell librarian, left the district. Then, during the 2016-2017 school year, teacher James Graham offered to help out.
“Coach Graham, he was really excited about it and kind of took a hold of it and ordered a bunch of new stuff,” Formica said. “He got the hype wagon going.”
An online fundraiser and the “generosity of people off the listserve” generated $1,700, enough to buy electronic equipment and help pay tournament fees, a grateful Graham said. “They don’t have (listserves) where I’m from in Texas.”
They’ve applied for a mini-grant and hope to purchase an electronic scoring box, a vital piece of equipment they are still lacking.
In his quest to learn about the sport, Graham has contacted local fencers, including McBain, of the Upper Valley Fencing Club, and the Dartmouth College club, which placed second overall at United States Associate of Collegiate Fencing Clubs National Championships. Last spring, he organized a trip to see the Dartmouth students fence.
Everyone’s been generous with their time, said Graham a physical education and health teacher. “We found people that were eager to help.”
When it comes to his role with the fencing team, he considers himself a facilitator. Nonetheless, he’s already smitten with the sport.
It requires manners — before bouts, you have to acknowledge the referee, “Yes, sir,” he said — and any number of skills.
Discipline, precision, gross motor skills, balance, body position, thinking a move ahead, he said, ticking off the list. “Even if you just did this for coordination and body control, this would benefit everybody.”
And the group itself has much to offer.
“Everybody gets along. Everybody contributes … and there are no putdowns,” said Graham, whose resume includes years as an athletic director. “This is a good team.”
While some team members also play traditional sports, for many, this is their first formal athletic endeavor.
“I’m not good at soccer, but fencing was different and interesting to me,” said Lucas Formica, Griffin’s twin brother.
A lot of his friends are on the team, and he likes the level of engagement fencing offers, he said. “You feel like you’re very much doing something.”
And with his visits to the school, McBain has provided a lift, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by the team.
“He’s had so much experience,” Griffin Formica said. “He is a very good teacher.”
A retired aerospace engineer who’s pushing 70, McBain is also a formidable athlete with a taste for triathlons. And a sense of humor.
Drills and short bouts at a recent practice were peppered with funny stories about tournaments he’s competed in and the curmudgeonly posturing of fencing officials.
Reviewing moves used to deflect an opponent’s weapon, he laid down the law about the “dreaded two parry.”
“I swear to God you will all do pushups if I see you doing this at a tournament,” he said, grinning.
Being self-propelled for a time, the team picked up some bad habits. “We didn’t really know what we were doing,” said Brian Howe, a junior.
But McBain’s helped set them straight. And some of what looked like improvisation has turned out to be the real deal.
During a bout with McBain, Lucas Formica did his signature move, a few quick hops in succession, promoting friendly chuckles from his teammates.
But McBain pulled off his mask and took a few minutes to highlight the action, which — who knew? — is an advanced maneuver called a balestra.
“That’s a thing?” someone asked.
Practice closed with more encouragement from McBain. “Nice going, guys,” he said. “I’m thrilled to death.”
The team has big plans. An assembly to demonstrate the sport for students at Rivendell and other local schools, with the hopes of eventually creating a league. A visit to the Upper Valley Fencing Club, which practices in Norwich. And competing in a tournament.
“I think it’s a group of kids who would be proud to represent their school in fencing,” Graham said.
In the meantime, you can find them after school, three days a week, fine-tuning their footing, lunging toward a chance to step out and showcase their skills.
Aimee Caruso can be reached at acaruso@vnews.com or 603-727-3210.