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Interviews
Amazing Kids! Spotlight Interview with Marc Berghouse, age 14, Nationally High-Ranked Foil Fencer
By Sean Traynor, Editor-in-Chief
Marc Berghouse is a nationally ranked foil fencer. Foil fencing can definitely be classified as a “Sensational Sport”. Foil fencing requires attention to detail, along with lots of training and physical skills. Marc has been able to maintain a consistently high level of achievement from the time that he started fencing to present.
Marc started fencing just prior to his eighth birthday and began fencing competitively when he was nine. Marc has been consistently at the top or near the top of his age group in the United States. Marc was ranked number one in the USFA in the ten-and-under age group in 2006. That year, he also won the national championship held in Atlanta and was undefeated in national competitions, losing only two bouts the entire year. Marc was ranked number two in the United States for the 12-and-under age group in 2008 and had “podium” finishes in every national competition that year. Marc is presently ranked number six in the United States in the 14-and under-age group and is looking forward to moving into the top three, coming off a second place finish at the Spring Nationals event in Virginia Beach this April.
Marc is anticipating fencing internationally next year.
AK: Fencing is a sport you don’t hear too much about. How did you get introduced to fencing?
MB: I first got into to fencing by attending a Stanford University Pirate summer camp when I was 6. There, we did a small seminar in fencing and I thought it was a very interesting sport. So then I joined a club and started my fencing career.
AK: Can you describe for us the different types of fencing and why you chose foil fencing as your specialty? Also, what are the areas can you hit on the body?
MB: There are three types of weapons: Foil, Epee, and Sabre. Foil is where you can only score a point by using the tip of your weapon and the valid target area is only the torso. Epee is where you can only score a point with the tip of the point but the whole body is valid target. Sabre is where you can score a point by slashing the opponent or poking them with the tip of your point. I chose foil because it is almost always the first weapon a fencer will learn and it just stuck with me.
AK: How do you earn points and win in foil fencing? How are national competitors ranked?
MB: You earn points on the national scale by placing in the top 32 in a North American Cup (NAC) or the National Championships in July. These events are held all over the country in different places so traveling is one of the extreme benefits of fencing. National competitors are ranked by the amount of points they have. The higher you place the more points you get. You can also score points at world cup events.
AK: What equipment do you need to fence? Does it hurt to be hit by an opponent?
MB: You need a lot of items. From head to toe, you need: a mask, an underarm protector, a jacket, a lame, knickers (fencing pants), fencing or soccer socks, and fencing shoes. You also need a weapon and a body cord. The mask is a steel mesh mask that covers the front of your head and is open in the back. The underarm protector is like half of a t-shirt that goes on your fencing arm. The jacket is pretty much an extremely thick long-sleeved shirt made out of Kevlar or nylon. The lame is a vest made of conductive material, so when you get hit your opponent’s light will show up on the fencing box. The knickers are like very thick shorts that go above your belly button and below your knees. The weapon is a blade with a tip on the end that depresses, completing an electrical circuit, to register a hit. The body cord is used to send the message of the hit from your blade to the machine. Getting hit by an opponent used to hurt a lot for me; now, since I am so used to it, it does not hurt as much. However it all depends on whom you are fencing. Some people may hit very lightly and others may hit very hard.
AK: Why do you think fencing is not more visible in the US, like it is in Europe?
MB: Fencing is ingrained in Europe because of tradition. It is also a complicated sport to understand. If you televise a world fencing event with Americans in it, people won’t watch it, because they have no idea what is going on. The sport of fencing is difficult for the casual observer because of a complicated rule called right-of-way. It is a rule that judges whether or not you or your opponent is awarded the touch if you both hit each other. Fencing is complicated and complex and I think this is why Americans do not find it entertaining.
AK: What qualities do you see in your toughest competitors?
MB: Determination, commitment and passion. Also fencing is a sport that rewards deception and cunning. By tricking your opponent into thinking that you are going to try a certain action but then doing a different one, you increase your odds of scoring.
AK: Why do you think you are successful at fencing?
MB: I think I am successful in fencing because of a combination of my athletic talent and my passion for the sport. I also think that my hard work has paid off. I go to practice three or four times a week for 3 hours each day. I also take two or three lessons per week. My competition schedule adds an additional day of fencing per week. Competitions at NAC’s can last up to 12 hours, so I get a good amount of fencing in at competitions.
AK: How do you balance practicing, tournaments and school work?
MB: I do miss days of school when I go to national competitions. I have to be very careful and make sure I get caught up with all my work at school. This means going to see the teachers sometimes at lunch or recess and getting help on a concept I missed or don’t understand. I haven’t had to do any all-nighters yet, but there have been a few times where I’ve had to stay up very late to finish assignments.
AK: Do you see yourself sticking with fencing long-term or moving on to a different sport?
MB: I see myself sticking with fencing because it is my passion and, well, I’m good at it. If you have good grades, it is a sport that can help you get into many prestigious universities.
AK: Who has been your mentor to help you succeed in this sport?
MB: My mentor, Maestro Daniel Tibbets, has taught me everything I know about fencing. He has supported me throughout my fencing career. Whether I win or lose, he will always be there to help and guide me.
AK: How does someone get involved in fencing in their areas?
MB: A good reference source is the United States Fencing Association website at www.usfencing.org. It has a list of local clubs. And you can also, of course, Google fencing clubs in your local area.
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