Peachtree Ridge on the of-fence

   Epee. Rapier. Touché. Those used to be words I memorized for crossword puzzled. Two-dimensional and totally meaningless. All that changed when I watched a practice session of the Fencing Club at Peachtree Ridge, Gwinnett County's newest high school.

   Dr. Robert Fryman, faculty sponsor, gave me a quick course in fencing vocabulary as the students acted out each word.

   Peachtree Ridge is not only the first high school in Gwinnett County to form a fencing club, but also the first public high school in the state to incorporate one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. into its extracurricular activities. Fencing, unlike many other sports, requires no more than a flat surface on which to play. It is truly co-educational and can include students in wheelchairs.

   Fencing started in France in the 1500's, but due to the high mortality rate, the government banned the sport. Despite it's bloody beginnings, fencing is one of the safest sports in the world, and the safest in the Olympics. The worst injuries are sprained ankles and bruises.

   The epees may look like weapons, but they are very pliable and totally safe. Fencing vests withstand the pressure of 700 Newtons and the masks, 1500 Newtons. (I consulted several engineers and physicists about relating this to real life, and the best answer I could get was to compare it to a bulletproof vest.)
Forty-eight PRHS students participate in fencing. None had prior experience and most had no prior knowledge of the sport when they signed up.

   Julie Tang, a freshman who has won a bronze medal and received national ranking in Women's cadet competition said she took up fencing because "I'm kinda' weird," but admitted that as a little girl she did like to play with sticks. 
John Choi, a sophomore, said, "I joined because of my friends. I never knew much about fencing until I joined. I thought it was just for rich people." 

   Hardly. The total cost for a fencing outfit with equipment is $275, which the fencers easily made with two fundraisers. Now 700 Newtons I had a hard time putting into perspective, but this I can handle. In some high school football booster clubs, $275 will just about buy you a T-shirt.

   Fencing has not only been a great experience for these Peachtree Ridge students, but it has been an inspiration for the county as well. North Gwinnett has formed a club and other Gwinnett high schools are working on clubs, which they hope will someday become varsity sports.

   "And it all started here," said Fryman. "I really appreciate that our principal Dr. Kahrs was willing to support the program and see it grow."

   And grow it did. PRHS Men's and Women's Epee teams will compete in the US National Fencing Championship in Charlotte, NC from June 27 through 
July 3. 

   When I think of that slogan, "Gwinnett is Great," all that comes to mind is "touché."


042804

Archive