In this episode, Bryan is joined by Brandon Rochelle, chair of the USA Fencing Tournament Committee, for a full breakdown of the new points and events structure launching Aug. 1, 2026.

They discuss:

• why USA Fencing felt change was necessary
• how elite and national event tiers will work
• why a unified points list is being introduced
• how points will flow between Division I, junior and cadet
• what the two-year trial period means
• what is changing, and what is staying the same

For the full explainer, visit this article.

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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing

Host: Bryan Wendell

Cover art: Manna Creations

Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn

In this episode, Bryan talks with Brad Suchorski, USA Fencing’s Director of Membership, Service and Growth, about the bigger picture behind collegiate fencing expansion.

They cover:

• Why college fencing growth is more complicated than it looks from the outside
• What stood out from the NCAA Fencing Championships at Notre Dame
• Why separate men’s and women’s team titles matter
• What families often misunderstand about college fencing
• How schools decide whether to add sports
• What athletic directors want to know before adding fencing
• Why enrollment, sustainability and gender equity all matter in those conversations
• How USA Fencing approaches schools and cultivates long-term relationships
• Recent momentum in collegiate fencing growth
• How college fairs, Recruiting 101 sessions and College Connect help student-athletes connect with programs
• Why supporting existing college programs is just as important as adding new ones
• How the fencing community can help support collegiate growth

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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing

Host: Bryan Wendell

Cover art: Manna Creations

Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn

Guest: Deep Patel
Deep walked onto the men’s fencing team at Haverford College after discovering fencing through a PE class, and quickly became one of the team’s leaders. He now coaches sabre at Badger Fencing Club and is part of a new generation of coaches helping make fencing more accessible.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• How Deep discovered fencing in college (and why a PE class + a “why not?” mindset changed everything)
• What transfers from soccer/lacrosse/cricket — and what fencing forces you to “rewire” (upper/lower body separation, individual accountability, body language)
• The steep learning curve: terminology, right-of-way, and why Deep urges new competitors to actually read the rule book
• A turning point moment: the first big win that made the progress feel real
• Competing as a D3 athlete against lifelong fencers — and why it can feel empowering, not just intimidating
• Leadership and culture: how Deep became captain by contributing beyond his own bouts (rides, armory basics, energy, motivation)
• Coaching development: what it was like entering Tim Morehouse Fencing Club’s Fencing Corps and becoming a “small fish” again
• The “UN ambassador lesson” story: how to make a first fencing experience fun, memorable, and meaningful
• Building something new at Badger: what it’s like joining a developing club — and why Badger matters nationally as a Club Incubator success story 
• Post-college fencing: why it doesn’t have to be “stop now, maybe come back at Vet 40”
• Growing the sport: Deep’s idea of making fencing feel more like drop-in recreation leagues while still preserving the competitive ladder

Haverford roster (Deep Patel): https://haverfordathletics.com/sports/mens-fencing/roster/deep-patel/9407

USA Fencing: Badger Fencing Club launch (Club Incubator): https://www.usafencing.org/news/2024/september/16/club-incubator-program-celebrates-successful-launch-of-wisconsin-s-badger-fencing-club

USA Fencing: Badger success story (0 to 100 members): https://www.usafencing.org/news/2025/november/20/club-incubator-success-story-badger-fencing-club-rockets-from-zero-to-100-members

USA Fencing Club Incubator Program info: https://www.usafencing.org/club-incubator

Club Incubator overview article: https://www.usafencing.org/news/2024/june/06/club-incubator-program-a-new-grant-opportunity-to-turn-fencing-passion-into-a-profession

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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing

Host: Bryan Wendell

Cover art: Manna Creations

Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn

Guest: David Sierra
David Sierra is the head men’s and women’s fencing coach at Wagner College (NY), where he expanded the program from seven athletes to a co-ed squad of 31 and produced NCAA qualifiers early in the men’s program. He also coaches veteran fencers (40+), served as coach and team captain at the 2025 Veteran Worlds in Bahrain, is a longtime national referee, a certified fencing master, and the Education Manager for the US Fencing Coaches Association.

What we cover:

David’s entry into fencing via a Texas A&M PE class (and why he’s glad he didn’t choose “aerobic walking”)

How an injury ended his competitive career — and pushed him into coaching and refereeing

Building Wagner fencing: recruiting, culture, and growing a young NCAA program fast

“Better humans” as a coaching motto — and what that looks like day to day

Why veteran fencers matter to clubs: culture, feedback, community, staffing, and smart scheduling

Coaching vets vs coaching NCAA athletes: what’s different, and what’s surprisingly the same

Bahrain 2025: David’s first international coaching experience and the realities of coaching on the world stage

Why Veteran Worlds is a tougher jump for Americans (and how vets prepare without an international circuit)

Team format changes, fast team selection, and the challenge of coaching a relay team you just met

What USA Fencing can do better for vets — and why travel funding would be a game-changer

“Vet fencing is the soul of fencing”: tactical depth, tempo, and what younger fencers can learn

What keeps David motivated after losing a club and rebuilding in a new region

Rapid fire includes:

Favorite weapon (no surprises)

David’s “other lifetime” in science and the Human Genome Project

The coach who shaped his philosophy — and the best advice he ever received

How he reads the room before coaching

Motorcycles, sci-fi, cooking, and The Repair Shop

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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing

Host: Bryan Wendell

Cover art: Manna Creations

Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn

Guest: Corwin Duncan is a mental performance coach, former national champion and world team member, and a longtime fencing coach and referee. He works with fencers of all levels to build concrete, in-the-moment skills for managing pressure, emotions, and focus — on and off the strip.

What we cover:

Why tournaments feel different than practice: familiarity, “safety,” routine disruption, and expectations

How spirals start (and how to interrupt them before they snowball)

The “5-second reset” breathing technique you can use between actions

Using time wisely on strip (shoe tie, blade straighten, creating a moment to think)

A parent’s role: supporting without adding pressure, and managing your own stress

“Losing to weaker fencers”: how expectations can lower intensity — and what to do instead

Reframing a bad result so it doesn’t define you

When it’s time to consider a mental performance coach (including “I’m not enjoying fencing anymore”)

Building a mental warm-up and why routines should be consistent, not rigid

Why Corwin cares about skills that transfer beyond fencing (the “doctor’s shot” story)

Links mentioned:

SharperMind Training: https://sharpermindtraining.com/

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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing

Host: Bryan Wendell

Cover art: Manna Creations

Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn

Guest

Peter Grandbois — Head coach of Denison women’s varsity fencing; coach of Denison men’s club team (transitioning to varsity in 2026). English professor and creative writing instructor. Veteran competitor and longtime coach.

What you’ll hear in this episode

How Denison fencing dates back to at least 1941 — and why college clubs often rise and fall with student energy

The real grind of launching a program: recruiting on campus, building participation, and finding the “tipping point”

Why Denison elevated the women’s team to varsity in 2019, and what helped make the case

The role of culture: “work hard” and “have fun,” creating a team people want to join

Budget and equipment realities — and how to educate decision-makers on what fencing actually needs

Coaching challenges: building three-weapon coaching capacity, learning sabre, and finding additional coaching support

The administrator pitch: enrollment, diversity, academic profile, and cost-benefit

Grandbois’s origin story: starting fencing in college because of a flyer — and why that matters

How competing as a veteran helps him coach better

Fencing and creative writing: risk-taking, discomfort, failure, and persistence

Recruiting lightning round:

Best email subject lines for recruits

Results vs. being a great teammate

What coaches watch when scouting

The ideal parent role

What surprises most fencers about college fencing (strength & conditioning)

Quote-worthy moments

“Patience and persistence are the two biggest hallmarks of trying to start a fencing program.”

“We can always grow a fencer, but it’s harder to make them great teammates.”

“Creativity happens in the unknown — in fencing and in writing.”

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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing

Host: Bryan Wendell

Cover art: Manna Creations

Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn

Guests

Theo Lin — Founder & Head of Community Engagement

Catalina Berrios — Head of Social Media

Ryan Katz — Head of Communications

Ava Kwon — Trainee (future Communications & High School Engagement)

Lucas Suba — Head of Registration & Onsite Project Management

What this episode covers

Why Theo founded DoGood after missing school service days for NAC travel

How DoGood finds and books volunteer projects in each host city

Favorite project types: animal shelters, food pantries, Ronald McDonald House, homeless shelters

Telling the story the right way: gratitude and joy, not “look at us”

Getting the word out: local media, USA Fencing e-blasts, and an on-site NAC table

The logistics: having a leadership point person at every project

The switch to GivePulse and how it makes registration + tracking easier

Service hours: verification, certificates, and tracking (plus who to email)

Succession planning: training the next leaders so DoGood doesn’t disappear after graduation

The big vision: DoGood as the “ketchup to French fries” of volunteering at fencing events — and eventually beyond fencing

Quick links

DoGood website: fencersdogood.org

Instagram: @fencersdogood

Service hours verification: [email protected]

Call to action

Going to your next NAC? Sign up for a DoGood project and spend a couple hours giving back — you’ll leave the city with more than just bout results.

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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing

Host: Bryan Wendell

Cover art: Manna Creations

Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn

Title: Rob Charlton on Why NCAA Fencing Is Within Your Reach
Season 2, Episode 20

In this episode, Bryan talks with Rob Charlton — head coach of Wellesley College and a club coach at Five Points Fencing Academy — about why many more fencers are “good enough” to fence in college than they realize, and how to navigate the NCAA landscape without getting overwhelmed.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The most common misconception Rob hears: “Am I good enough?” — and why the answer is often yes
• Why there’s no universal “cut line” for NCAA fencing (and why it depends on the school, weapon and year)
• How coaches build rosters across four years — and how study abroad, injuries and attrition affect recruiting needs
• What Division I vs. Division III can look like in training time, travel and season structure
• How athletic scholarships actually work (and why Division III schools can’t offer them)
• The value of looking at the full financial picture: merit aid, need-based aid and total cost
• The walk-on/tryout path — and why Rob still recommends engaging the recruiting process early
• Key recruiting rules for Division III: when coaches can meet prospects in person and on campus
• What makes a strong first email to a college coach (and what reads as generic/copy-paste)
• How college coaches structure Summer Nationals: meetings, rules around competition days, and what they’re reallywatching for
• Why the new NCAA Women’s Fencing Championship is meaningful for women’s-only programs

Find First to 15 on our YouTube channel, too!

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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing

Host: Bryan Wendell

Cover art: Manna Creations

Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn

Season 2, Episode 19
Guests: Jen Oldham & Jeff Kallio — Forge Fencing Academy (North Carolina); Jen also coaches at Cleveland State

What we cover

How the Kenya initiative began: an international coaching program connection and a promise to “do something”

Working with Coach Eliakim (“Coach Jack”), a Kenyan Taekwondo coach and sports protection coach

What fencing looks like in Kenya: blank slate in Kakuma; early club development in Nairobi and East Africa

The logistics: gathering donations, packing equipment, and getting it across the world

Trust and teaching: adapting communication, consent/check-ins, and collaborating with local organizers

Kakuma realities: why sport matters when basic needs and stability are under pressure

Staying connected after returning: WhatsApp, videos, online support, and rapid learner progress

Creative problem-solving: homemade training weapons, limited resources, and surprising ingenuity

Perspective shift: how the trip changed how they view complaints, effort, and empathy back home

How listeners can help: gear drives, coaching support, donations, and creating new bridge connections

Links

Forge Fencing blog post:
https://forgefencing.com/global-connections-forge-fencing-initiative-in-kenya-and-kakuma/

Timestamps

0:00 — Why fencing matters when it’s brand new in a community

1:12 — The Kenya initiative: where it came from

3:24 — What fencing looks like in Kenya vs. the U.S.

5:02 — Getting started on the ground: teach, adapt, connect

6:27 — The equipment challenge: donations, packing, logistics

8:26 — Early moments and why fencing “fit” socially

10:05 — Staying connected through tech: videos and feedback loops

11:26 — Homemade training weapons and creative problem-solving

12:53 — Culture shock: water, shoes, safety norms, and perspective

14:04 — “Empathy scale” after returning home

15:43 — Trust-building and the refugee camp tour

17:40 — Kakuma context and why sport is a lifeline

24:14 — How listeners can help right now

27:15 — Doing this as a couple: teamwork and logistics

30:58 — Lessons brought home for athletes and students

32:21 — Leadership, gratitude, and widening perspective through sport

Quotable

“They don’t get down when there’s an obstacle—they get excited and creative.” — Jeff Kallio

“This thread is far greater than one person. It’s a huge connector.” — Jen Oldham

Call to action
Want to help? Read the full story and updates here:
https://forgefencing.com/global-connections-forge-fencing-initiative-in-kenya-and-kakuma/
And if you have a relevant connection (schools, nonprofits, adaptive sport, international programs), reach out—bridges are built one introduction at a time.

Credits
Host: Bryan Wendell • Guests: Jen Oldham & Jeff Kallio

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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing

Host: Bryan Wendell

Cover art: Manna Creations

Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn

Season 2, Episode 18
Guests:

Courtney Hurley OLY — Three-time Olympian (team bronze), Head Coach, Duke City Fencing; program lead at Menaul School

Chris Ferrara — Assistant Head of School & Upper School Director, Menaul School (Albuquerque, NM)

What we cover

Courtney’s transition from Olympian to coach: passing on elite habits, culture-building, and motivation

The liberal-arts lens (Chris): teaching how to think, not what to think; “high challenge, high support” academics

Why daily, in-school training matters: Menaul’s 70–85 minute fencing block every day, plus after-school lessons and club bouting

Time management that works: block schedules, LMS support on travel days, concrete checkpoints from advisors/homeroom

The parent role: authoritative (not authoritarian); building habits and internal drive without a pressure cooker

Competition as fuel: why early meets accelerate learning and buy-in

Building a regional pipeline: growing Albuquerque’s fencing scene—and why a smaller state can be a strategic advantage

The three-weapon vision: adding dedicated foil/saber coaches, strength training, and an NCAA-style structure

Scholar-athlete outcomes: how varsity-level sport correlates with college success—and how fencing fits college admissions

Links

Learn more about Menaul School’s fencing program (with Duke City Fencing):
https://www.menaulschool.org/fencing-find-your-edge/

Timestamps

0:00 — Two perspectives, one goal: student-athletes who thrive

1:17 — Courtney: fencing was “who I am”—why coaching was the natural next step

2:30 — Chris: the liberal-arts case for scholar-athletes (mind–body–spirit)

4:57 — Using fencing strategically in college planning

5:24 — Courtney’s scholar-athlete path: school support + travel reality

7:21 — Western travel culture & flexible academics (LMS on the road)

8:36 — Teaching time management: high challenge, high support

10:16 — Coach’s role: priorities, buy-in, and aligning goals

11:30 — A week in the life: daily fencing block (70–85 min), block classes, after-school lessons

14:55 — Culture shift in ABQ: from hobby to competitive

16:18 — Why daily training compresses learning curves

17:12 — The three-to-five-year plan: three weapons, S&C, university-style structure

18:26 — Why athletics belong in school: GPA + varsity sport = college success

20:45 — Life skills from fencing: perseverance, interviews, careers

22:09 — The parent balance: building habits & ownership

26:26 — Making fencing the best part of the day (present-moment focus)

27:55 — What Courtney gets from coaching: a new challenge, new results

30:07 — Fit questions for families considering Menaul

33:00 — Why boarding + fencing can unlock opportunity

34:51 — Putting Albuquerque on the map—competitively

36:36 — A small-state advantage in college admissions

Quotable

“You’re a club before you’re a team—culture keeps kids showing up. But daily reps inside the school day? That’s what accelerates progress.” — Courtney Hurley

“The #1 predictor of college success is GPA; the #2 is participation in varsity-level sports.” — Chris Ferrara

Call to action
Curious about the school-day fencing model? Explore Menaul’s program and how it pairs with Duke City Fencing: https://www.menaulschool.org/fencing-find-your-edge/

Credits
Host: Bryan Wendell • Guests: Courtney Hurley OLY & Chris Ferrara

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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing

Host: Bryan Wendell

Cover art: Manna Creations

Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn

Season 2, Episode 17
Guest: Eric Nassos — Head Coach & former president/captain, Marquette University Fencing (Collegiate Club)

What we cover

Paths after high school if there’s no NCAA team: local clubs, campus clubs, and how to mix both

Starting (or reviving) a club: student sign-ups, admin petition, storage, safety-compliant gear, and budgeting

Funding in the real world: dues, university reimbursements (gas/housing), refereeing local HS events, and why you still need cash up front

Recruiting interest when you’re new: tabling, flyers, dorm hustling, “make some friends,” and simple marketing that works

What to expect at practice: flexible structures, coach + student leaders, mixed experience levels (walk-ons → Cs/Es by graduation)

Parents’ role: researching clubs, DM’ing teams, campus tour questions, where to help — and where to step back

Evaluating clubs: Instagram responsiveness, recent posts, campus name recognition, replies to email/DM, continuity signals

Keeping clubs healthy year to year: positive culture first, competitive goals second, a coach or alumni bridge third

Competition ladder: local meets → regional conferences (e.g., Midwest Fencing Conference) → USACFCnationals

Fielding weapons creatively: start with what you have (epee-only? fine), partner with nearby schools to cover other weapons

Setting expectations: where RYC/JO-experienced fencers fit, how walk-ons progress, and why club fencing builds career-ready skills

Practical takeaways

Green flags: active social accounts, replies to outreach, visible campus awareness, published practice times, clear officers

Budget hacks: learn your school’s reimbursement rules; join USACFC for perks and connectivity; partner with nearby clubs/schools

Practice idea: pair experienced fencers with beginners in simple drills to accelerate skill transfer and community

Lifelong pipeline: club alumni become local-club members, parents of fencers, and future volunteer leaders

Timestamps

0:00 — Club fencing: real team, real coaching, real flexibility

1:49 — Paths if there’s no NCAA program

2:47 — Funding reality: dues, refs, reimbursements

4:00 — If your school has no club (or dormant gear)

5:36 — Finding the first 40 names: “time to make some friends”

7:39 — What experienced fencers can expect (and leadership roles)

9:04 — Walk-on success stories and day-one curriculum

10:59 — Parents’ role: research & outreach that actually helps

12:34 — Comparing clubs: online presence and responsiveness

14:53 — Coaching models & practice structure at Marquette

17:20 — Longevity: culture → competition → coach/alumni bridge

19:35 — How Marquette found the broader ecosystem

22:36 — The competitive ladder: conferences & USACFC

25:42 — Fielding weapons with limited roster (and partnerships)

26:59 — Skill levels: where a JO/RYC background fits

28:55 — What a club trip weekend looks like

30:31 — Time & money expectations (realistic, flexible)

33:15 — Walk-on to rated fencer: a case study

36:00 — Quick hits: lifelong fans, green flags, drills, budget hacks, door sign

Quotable

“You’re a club before you’re a team. Culture keeps people showing up.” — Eric Nassos

“Within the freedom — and the funding gaps — you get a real-world education.” — Eric Nassos

Call to action
Share this with a high-school junior/senior (and their parents). If your campus club needs a hand getting started or connected, Eric says he’s happy to help — reach out at [email protected]

Credits
Host: Bryan Wendell • Guest: Eric Nassos

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First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing

Host: Bryan Wendell

Cover art: Manna Creations

Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn