St. Louis Fencing CLUB
Foil & Epee Classes
Classes for everyone – from the beginner to the professional. Our instructors have over 10 years of experience each – and look forward to training with you.
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Fencing Classes
St. Louis Fencing CLUB
We teach both Foil & Epee styles of fencing and welcome all skill levels to our fencing club. Do you need to know the difference? See the videos below or contact us
for more information.
FOIL
The foil is the most commonly used weapon in competition. Like épée, points are only scored by contact with the tip, which, in electrically scored tournaments, is capped with a spring-loaded button to signal a touch.
Epee
Epee is the largest and heaviest of the three weapons used in the sport of fencing. The modern épée derives from the 19th-century épée de combat, a weapon which itself derives from the French small sword.
Why Choose STL FC?
It is our mission to create a Positive & Engaging Experience for both Athletes and Parents. Our coaches understand that being an athlete is more than winning medals, good stats record, and training. We strive to create well-rounded athletes who will have the self-confidence, determination, and understanding to succeed both as athletes and individuals.
State of the art facility
Expert Instructors
fun for everyone
Our members
Customer Reviews
We let our members speak for themselves – please see our testimonials below to learn more about our what our members experience at our fencing club.
This is an excellent club and the best fencing venue, by far, St Louis has ever had. The grounded strips are especially good for epee, and the fixed reels mean more time for fencing each evening as they don’t have to be put away each night. The owners are exceptionally friendly and very welcoming. I routinely make the one hour drive to fence here, and bring friends.
I have been involved in fencing for about 8 years now, and this is the nicest facility I have ever been in. This gym has everything a beginner needs to get started, and there is great talent for experienced fencers to practice with. This institution is a much needed addition to downtown, so if you are looking for a new fun way to get fit and meet some new people this is the place to do it!
I started fencing here with my 14 year old son, both of us absolute beginners. We loved it. The teaching, the sparring, the other people at the club (interestingly many other 1 parent + 1 child duos) was simply the best. Tran is an excellent and patient instructor. The equipment is clean. It really works up a sweat, and an appetite, making for a pleasant drive home back to Wildwood, all the while both of us talking about it. Highly recommended if you want to start something new, something noble and respected in many cultures worldwide. Tran also helped me modify because of my sciatica and piriformis – ugh – thanks Tran!
Definitely the nicest fencing club I’ve been to in the midwest. The space is gorgeous with plenty of strips and a nice sitting area. The coaches are incredibly nice and knowledgable and are great teachers of the sport. If you’re in the St. Louis area and looking to get into fencing or just continue learning and practicing, this is the place to go.
WHO WE ARE
About Our Team
Tran Nguyen
Owner and Coach
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Bio
Coach Tran has been fencing since 2005. After beginning his training as armorer in 2006, Tran fenced in college when he pioneered Saint Louis University Fencing Club in 2008. After graduating, he assumed the head coaching role, he led SLU fencers to numerous medals at local competitions. He has over a decade of club operation and program experience across several USA Fencing affiliate clubs. In addition to his career in fencing, Tran has 10 years of
entrepreneurial expertise, owns an accounting firm, is active in real estate, and takes great pride in being a minority business owner.
Eleanor Harvey
Coach
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Bio
Eleanor Harvey began fencing in 2005 at age 10 in Hamilton, Ontario, with the goal of becoming an Olympian. She started representing Canada internationally at age 14. Eleanor has been a member of the Senior national team since 2012, while also competing on the junior world stage, winning consecutive silver medals at the 2013 and 2014 Junior World Championships. Eleanor went on to attend The Ohio State University and won the individual event at the NCAA Championships in 2016.
This same year she achieved her dream of becoming an Olympian. At the Rio Olympic Games, Eleanor knocked out the #1 ranked seed and finished 7th place individually, which is Canada’s best ever Olympic result to date. She went on to qualify for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, competing both individually and with her team. More recently, Eleanor finished the 2021-2022 season ranked 3rd in the world and is now working towards qualifying for the 2024 Olympics. Eleanor has been coaching since 2018 and works and trains at Epic Fencing Club in Calgary, Alberta.
Eleanor joined Saint Louis Fencing Club as an Assistant Coach in 2023. Eleanor routinely holds zoom training sessions with the Advance Foil Class.
In her free time, Eleanor enjoys drawing, listening to music, and podcasts.
Jacob Ciolino
Coach
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Bio
Jake Ciolino started fencing in 2013 during his undergraduate studies at the University of Toledo. Jake went on to form a competitive college team of 40+ fencers by refurbishing old ROTC fencing equipment. Jake competed on the NCAA level where he developed a passion for teamwork, dedication, and fencing.
After completing his BS in Exercise Science at the University of Toledo, Jake moved to St Louis to enroll in Washington University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Jake completed his studies in May of 2020, and now works at Barnes Jewish Hospital and St Louis University Hospital.
Jake uses his expertise as a Doctor of Physical Therapy to teach fencer specific skills and find optimal movement patterns to minimize risk of injury. Jake’s goal as a fencing coach is to make fencing as accessible as possible, so that more people can share the positive experiences he has had with the sport.
Jake joined Saint Louis Fencing Club in 2022 as an Assistant Coach and moved up to Head Coach of City Garden Montessori School, a satellite club of STL Fencing Club.
In his free time, Jake enjoys riding bikes with his wife, running in Forest Park, and lifting weights. Jake is also a huge fan of Mario Kart.
Anthony Romero
Coach
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Bio
In 2020, Tony Romero started fencing with Saint Louis University Fencing Club under then Head Coach Tran Nguyen, and fell in love with the sport. Three years later, Tony has competed in 26 events in tournaments around Missouri.
Tony joined Saint Louis Fencing Club as an Assistant Coach in 2022. Tony is a strong believer that to be a good fencer and coach; one can never stop learning. In 2023, Tony decided to become a rated referee to further his understanding of the sport.
Outside of fencing, Tony is studying marketing and communications at Saint Louis University, loves to create videos, and is an avid gamer.
(636) 236-7852
The St. Louis Fencing Club welcomes all ages and skill levels to come and train with us at our state of the art facility.
Address
1712 Olive St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
Tran@STLFencingClub.com
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