Fencers lunge ahead

Constantly minding balance, footwork and instincts, all while in a squat position, the sport of fencing truly sits on the fence of mainstream sports.

Just leave it to one the community's newest additions to sprout a club.

In parallel with the sport, some of River Valley High's young enthusiasts will admit, they too march to a different beat.

But that's not exactly what attracted the 15 or so students to fencing.

"It's the sword play," answered junior Merinda Griese. "It's a good workout, too."

While Griese's statements were echoed by many in the second-year club, with the coach also being an English teacher, sophomore Chris Halvorson's response couldn't have been any more honest.

"You get to stab your teacher, which is every student's dream, right?"

Luckily, the statement was as harmless as the swords themselves.

And, luckily for club adviser and teacher Eric Ricketts, his club members, most of whom are students of his, admire and respect their double-edged instructor.

"He's awesome," said senior Jareth Thompson. "His class is the only one I don't fall asleep in. Not that I don't like my other teachers," he quickly added.

Ricketts, who also teaches at Butte College, is a four-time division foil champion and a former Pacific Coast Championships finalist.

He also runs the Chico Creek Fencing Center.

And after racking up 21 years of fencing experience, Ricketts knows a thing or two about the sport.

"The students knew that I fenced and they pushed for a club at the school," he said. "I don't know any kid who didn't want to swing a sword at some point."

As an English teacher, Ricketts also has an angle he can utilize to entice students both into academics and fencing.

"When it's appropriate, I can use (fencing) with some of the literature we read in class," he said. "Like with the duels in Romeo and Juliet, etc. It can get some kids more interested."

While public education may be cheap for these students, it didn't take long for them to realize that their new hobby is not.

"It obviously costs more than soccer, but it's cheaper than golf," Ricketts said.

Barely.

The starting cost for a typical beginner's kit, which usually includes a standard 1-pound sword, a mask, gloves and a jacket, can range from $150 to $400.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg, or in this case, tip of the sword.

With three separate styles: foil, epee and sabre — plus shoes, stockings, knickers, equipment bags and tools — the dollars can add up.

Right now, Ricketts is providing most of the equipment for the club.

Some, however, have taken initiative to purchase their own, and that's one step closer to the club's ultimate goal — competition.

While it may be a sport for the ages — the earliest evidence of fencing as a sport dates back to around 1200 B.C. in Egypt — it is also one of the least participated in around the United States. So finding opponents for the anxious bunch could be quite a task.

"We're building up to competing," Ricketts said. "Right now, we're doing little things like raising money."

That includes earning $100 for a homecoming float that espoused the theme of fencing, yet modernized it for their fellow students — an oversized shopping cart, draped in black with a rock band inside and a mosh pit of ninjas.

"It was quite the theatrical production," Ricketts said smiling.

As far as opponents are concerned, the coach is already thinking ahead.

"There are tournaments along the valley that the kids will be able to go to and there is a high school fencing circuit," Ricketts said. "But eventually we want to try and get a little league in the north state that would include Gridley, Chico, Paradise and Anderson. There has been some interest shown."

The River Valley High fencing club will host its first tournament in early May.

For sophomore club treasurer Emilio Delgado, who also runs track and cross country, competition is nothing new.

"We're looking forward to competing," said Delgado. "But I don't know if we're ready for it."

Some of the students participate for social purposes, several others are in it for learning and competing, but for a few, it's simply therapeutic.

"I was upset one day and I just decided to show up," said club president Sarah Cluck.

For Halvorson, who is also active in archery and target shooting, the sport helps him in his therapy regimen for a form of muscular dystrophy.

"It just helps me with my daily reflex skills," he said. "It also works on my hand-eye coordination."

For freshman Spencer Foss, he uses the sport as an outlet.

"It gives us freedom to fight without getting injured," he said.

Of course, with Ricketts, safety is the first priority.

"They must show control, balance, learn the steps, the lunge move and recovery and then they get to practice with the weapon," Ricketts said. "They earn the use of a weapon. And they don't pick up a weapon without a mask."

Ricketts said the students understand he is serious.

"If they mess around at all, they're done and they have to re-earn the weapon," he said.

Naturally, swords draw a crowd on campus.

"People do look. It's not everyday you see swords on campus," Ricketts said. "You can get dot bruises, but I've been hurt more playing co-ed softball. Plus, we're wearing fairly stout equipment."

Ricketts sees the club as an avenue, like any sport, that teaches basic life fundamentals that are difficult to pick up elsewhere.

"When you compete against someone, it's mental (and) it gives you so much of a workout. You're always in a squat position, you're always moving and consistently anticipating your opponent's next move," he said. "It teaches self-esteem, gets them active, gives them a physical outlet, teaches them to challenge themselves and it keeps them plugged in more with school. It's a good thing all the way around."

Contact sports writer Bryan DeMain at 749-4796 or at bdemain@appealdemocrat.com.