Children do it with wrapping paper tubes during the holidays. A dreadlocked Johnny Depp did it in "Pirates of the Caribbean." Romantic nobleman once did it to defend their honor.
And then there's the Princeton fencing team, which brings a modern version of it — swordplay, if you haven't yet guessed — to the 'C' Floor of Jadwin Gym each winter.
A descendant of the gory warfare of medieval knights, modern fencing is an artful sport, requiring a combination of both physical and mental quickness. Two players compete in a "bout," attempting to score points by touching their heavily padded opponent with a weapon.
But fencing is more complex than just playing with swords. It involves three different weapons, each accompanied by its own set of rules, strategies and special characteristics in the fencer.
"I can't really say what I do and don't like about other weapons," junior J-P Mitchell said. "Each weapon has its own style and strategy. Speed, precision, reflexes and mobility are key players in each, and you must always keep a winning mentality if you wish to succeed."
But for all the similarities, the weapon classes are so different that most high-level fencers specialize in just one weapon class.
"Being good in one weapon ... does not guarantee you'll be good in another," Mitchell said. "Specific training is required for each."
One weapon is the epée, a descendent of the dueling rapier. The epéeist's hand is protected by a large hand guard, and touches are scored with the point of the weapon on any part of the body. Height is an advantage in epée, and bouts rely mostly on strategy.
"Epée fencing has been compared to chess in its use of carefully developed tactics," senior Ben Solomon said.
Princeton's men's team is strongest with the epée. Led by Solomon, who has been fencing exclusively epée for eight years, and sophomore Tommi Hurme, who was on the Junior National Team, the Tigers dominated the epée event at the Penn State Garret Open last month.
The Princeton women's epée squad didn't fare quite as well as the men's at the Garret Open, but it did record a top-10 finish from freshman Jasjit Bhinder, who shows great potential for the upcoming season.
The next weapon is the sabre, a descendant of the curved cavalry sword and the only edge weapon in fencing. Though it is legal to score points with the tip of the blade, the sabre is the only weapon that can also score touches with the edge of the weapon.
Unlike in epée, however, touches can only be scored above the waist in sabre.
"The good sabre fencers are incredibly explosive and dynamic," Solomon said. "Our current captain, [senior] Owen Cornwall, is a sabre fencer. He brings endless energy and great leadership to the team."
Cornwall has led the sabre squad this season, placing 19th in the Garret Open.
The Tiger women's squad is lead by junior co-captain Elan DiMaio. Princeton's top sabre finisher at the Garret Open was sophomore Cara DiGirolamo, who placed 12th.
The last weapon is the foil, a weapon that was originally intended as a lighter, safer training option.
Many fencers begin with foil because many of the conventions of foil translate easily to both sabre and epée.
"I really like watching the foil," Solomon said. "I've seen some of the best footwork and bladework in foil matches."
Foil fencers can only score touches with the tip of the blade on the opponent's torso — but not on the arms, hands, legs or head (a favorite spot for sabre fencers).
Mitchell leads Princeton's men in foil, placing 17th in the Garret Open.
"The foil team has seen some great competitors in the past, has some great ones now as well, and we're looking to recruit some kids in the top junior point standings for next year," Mitchell said. "We're not able to tap the fantastic foreign resources that other NCAA schools are able to do, but we definitely hold our own in the Ivies."
Senior co-captain Jacqueline Leahy, who placed third in the foil event at the Garret Open, leads the women in foil.
"This year our foil team has been working hard, but we've unfortunately lost several valuable members of our squad for various reasons," Leahy said. "We won't know where we stand until after this weekend, when we fence our first four meets of the year."
The two Princeton teams' next meet is Saturday, when they will face NYU, Rutgers, North Carolina and Penn State on a road trip to Penn State College.
Read More
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals after 19–18 loss to No. 5 Syracuse
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
With the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.