En garde

Fourth-grade fencers Chase Gomez and Alex Buswell (pictured, from left) medaled in a Youth 10 Men’s Epee event in Austin. Both boys fence at Alliance Fencing Academy and placed in the top 8 at the regional competition. To prepare for events, Chase and Alex practice three times each week and also take private lessons. Sarah Thow with Alliance Fencing Academy says, “Epee is an all-over body touch, so playing a very good game of chess with your mind and body is the key.” These boys compete almost every month, all over the state of Texas and around the nation. Their next step in training is to learn more advanced foot and blade work to compete on the national level.

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