Fencing for glory
- May 5
- 3 min read
Updated: May 7
Putting CSU’s fencers in the limelight.
Written by Sage Colón
Maia Taylor-Casamayor huddled around her teammates in a tight circle, the hum of the competition buzzing around them. Their faces were set with focus, but a palpable energy filled the air, building up as they prepared for their next match.
Taylor-Casamayor gripped her mask, adjusting her gear as her coach gave a quick pep talk, reminding them of their strength and unity. With every word, the intensity grew and they all felt the weight of their shared purpose – their bond as teammates ready to carry them through the fight ahead.
As the final moments of the huddle approached, the team started the words of their long-standing traditional cheer.
"Vikes on three, strong on six!” Taylor-Casamayor said. “One, two, three Vikes! Four, five, six strong!"
Taylor-Casamayor is one of 24 fencers on Cleveland State University (CSU)’s fencing team. The men's and women's team recently finished up their seasons with outstanding performances at the Central Collegiate Fencing Conference (CCFC) championship and the NCAA regionals and championships.
“It’s like a portal when we all step on the bus and everything shifts,” coach Jennifer Oldham said. “There’s the team that gets on the bus for competition time and there's the team that's at CSU practicing, and those are two completely different teams.”
On the mat, fencing is a highly competitive and focused pursuit, where each fencer is alone on the strip, relying on their skill and strategy to succeed. The intensity of these solo tournaments demands complete concentration, as every touch and decision is critical to victory.
Off the mat, the fencing team is a close-knit group that enjoys spending time together outside of practice and competition. Whether it’s hanging out between events, grabbing a meal or doing something fun as a team, the social side of fencing brings everyone closer.
“This year we had a team trip to the museum, and we did a scavenger hunt with our coach, and that was really fun because you get to be competitive, but you also get to hang out with your teammates,” Taylor-Casamayor said. “I really enjoyed that.”
Oldham, who took the helm of CSU’s fencing program last year, brings an abundance of experience and leadership to the team. She’s coached internationally, competed at a high-level herself and is passionate about instilling both technical and personal growth in her athletes. Under her guidance, CSU’s fencing team has fostered a new level of cohesion.
“Fencing is an individual sport, but collegiate fencing is about creating that team dynamic,” Oldham said. “On the strip, it’s one person versus one person, but off the strip, we focus on building a strong, supportive team culture where everyone’s success matters.”
For Taylor-Casamayor, this team spirit has been a defining aspect of her fencing journey.
“We really feel like a family,” said Taylor-Casamayor. “I can’t imagine doing this sport alone without the support of my teammates. They push me to be better, and I do the same for them.”
Fencing often carries the misconception of being an exclusive, high society sport, accessible only to those from privileged backgrounds. Oldham is quick to dispel that myth.
“I think a lot of people think fencing is an elite sport that only wealthy people have access to,” Oldham said. “But that’s just not true. Fencing is for anyone willing to pick up a weapon and give it a try.”
She points out that even some of the sport’s top figures, like the current Ohio State University coach and Olympic gold medalist Lee Kiefer, began their fencing journeys in unexpected places like Cleveland.
“It’s not about starting from the ‘ivory towers’ – fencing can be found and learned in a variety of communities,” Oldham said.
At CSU, the team is actively working to make fencing more accessible to anyone who’s interested. Every Thursday during the school year, they host an open gym night where anyone can come in and try the sport. From 6:30-8:30 p.m., the doors are open for anyone who wants to learn the basics, experience the thrill of fencing and perhaps find their own passion for the sport.
Looking ahead, the team is also excited for the upcoming regional qualifiers that CSU will host next year.
“We’ll have the chance to bring in some of the best fencers in the region,” Oldham said. “It’s a huge opportunity for us to showcase our program and our athletes.”
Ultimately, fencing at CSU isn’t just about individual glory, it’s about creating a community that thrives on mutual support, hard work and the shared goal of becoming better, both as athletes and as individuals
