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Westport Teen Fencer Heads To National Championships

WESTPORT, Conn. — Before heading this fall to Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, where he will fence in Division 1 foil, Staples High School graduate Lucas Wetmore will showcase his talents at the Fencing National Championships. 

Lucas Wetmore (right) sizes up his opponent.

Lucas Wetmore (right) sizes up his opponent.

Photo Credit: Lucas Wetmore
Lucas Wetmore (r) sizes up his opponent.

Lucas Wetmore (r) sizes up his opponent.

Photo Credit: Lucas Wetmore

The 18-year-old will take part in the event from July 1 to July 10 in Salt Lake City. Summer Nationals is the world's largest fencing competition, attracting athletes from around the country.

Here is question-and-answer with the fender:

Question: Have you competed at the National Championships before?

Wetmore: This will be my fifth National Championship. It is an amazing experience to compete with fencers from around the country in a huge venue.

Question: What age group or division are you fencing in?

Wetmore: I will be fencing in division 1A and in the junior division. Division 1A fencers are those that are ranked between A-C and are in the top 40 percent of their region. Junior division fencers are under 20 years old and have the required number of regional points.

Question. What it's like to travel to major competitions as part of your fencing club?

Wetmore: I train with New Amsterdam Fencing Academy (NAFA) North of Port Chester, N.Y. I've been with them for seven years. Even though fencing is an individual sport, we act as a team. NAFA North fencers often travel together and spend our free time together. We train everyday. We are there to support and cheer each other on, even if we are not fencing that day.

Question: What did you do to train for nationals?

Wetmore: We train all year long for this event and in the months preceding Nationals our workouts get more intense.

Question: What are your goals at nationals?

Wetmore: My goal is to fence my best!

Click here to follow live results of Wetmore's bouts. 

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