The Bucks County Academy of Fencing made a good showing at the 2022 National Fencing championships, held recently at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It is the largest fencing championship in the world.
Paul Epply-Schmidt was the winner of the vet 60 men’s foil.
Epply-Schmidt also teamed up with three other East Coast fencers to place second in the vet team men’s foil.
Klaudia Shick earned two top finishes for BCAF, placing second in the veterans team women’s epee while participating in a composite team with three other East Coast fencers. As an individual, Shick finished 10th in veterans 40 women’s epee.
“I think I did pretty well,” she said. “I’m a veteran fencing with those youngsters, so it isn’t that easy. I was very happy with how I fenced in the team events.”
Shick pinched a nerve in her right hand two weeks before nationals.
“It was really painful and I’m right-handed, so it was really challenging for me,” she said. “I was pleasantly surprised to be chosen as the fourth member of the East Coast team. Also, I fenced much more for them than I thought I would, so that was another little surprise for me. We did really well, and I really enjoyed it.”
She also competed in vet 40 women’s epee and division 2 women’s epee.
In veteran’s 70 men epee, Jim Flint earned a seventh-place medal, while Jim Brykczynski was 16th and in vet 70 men’s foil, Jim Bricker took eighth.
Others representing BCAF at the event were Skye Scarlett, who competed in the junior women’s foil, division 2 women’s foil and division 3 women’s foil, and Andrew Malham in youth 14 men’s epee.
The Bucks County Academy of Fencing is hosting its 41th anniversary open house on Saturday, Nov. 5, from noon-4 p.m. at its location at 287 S. Main St., Lambertville, N.J.
This will be open to the public and include a rolling demonstration of youth, senior and veteran foil and epee fencing by a selection of members, who will also be available to talk with visitors. Visitors may take three-minute private lessons with just a mask and foil working one-on-one with one of the instructors.
There will also be food, a balloon sword maker and a display of replica historic swords with accompanying costuming and narration by the Rev. John Lepera, a former BCAF student.
Swords in Lepera’s collection include 20 different swords and eight costumes with helmets and range from the Crusades to the Modern Olympics.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
