Photos: Fencing Club

Dominic Di Palermo

September 14, 2023

Dominic Di Palermo

Junior Gigi Lamb, right, parries a strike from sophomore A.J. Ward while sparring during Fencing Club at the Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center on WKU’s Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Lamb and Ward are in their second semester fencing and plan to participate in Eastern Kentucky University’s Halloween Open.

Freshman Jaxon Turner practices a lunge strike while club president Anna Humphrey watches during Fencing Club at the Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center on WKU’s Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Humphrey often helps beginners learn good form before they try more advanced techniques. “They are always so eager to learn,” Humphrey said. “Even when they’re struggling, they’re having fun.” (Dominic Di Palermo)

Ryan Gilmore holds a weapon during Fencing Club at the Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center on WKU’s Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Fencers wear one glove on their dominant hand that holds the weapon. Humphrey explained that even with padding, a weapon strike can leave welts and bruises. (Dominic Di Palermo)

From right to left, Nicole Kettering, Jaxon Turner, Declan Breeze and Cooper practice lunging strikes during Fencing Club at the Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center on WKU’s Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Most of the clubs members are new to fencing and are taught the basics by other members. (Dominic Di Palermo)

Darius Barati, a WKU alumnus and LifeWorks staffer, helps zip up Cooper’s jacket during Fencing Club at the Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center on WKU’s Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Dominic Di Palermo)

Coach Chris Bidwell, middle, corrects Darius Barati’s form during Fencing Club at the Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center on WKU’s Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. Bidwell fenced with the club from 2009 to 2013 when he was a student, and now fences at Bowling Green Fencing Academy. (Dominic Di Palermo)

Sophomore Savannah Nichols Lamb performs drills during Fencing Club at the Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center on WKU’s Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Dominic Di Palermo)