In February of 2008, the clumsy clashing of metal sabres amidst the shuffling of feet could be heard resonating in the lower gym; fencing had infiltrated the walls of Regis as the newest addition to the wide variety of clubs and teams. Guided by the highly experienced and ever patient Patrick Durkan, as well as student assistant coach Tomasz Otlowski, the amateur fencers practiced after school every Tuesday and Thursday to slowly but surely improve their fencing finesse. They soon found that success requires a delicate combination of form, balance, strategy, speed, and endurance. Their first year of hard work toward this goal culminated at the final in-school tournament hosted on May 17th, where the gold, silver, and bronze were awarded to Joseph DelPreto, Drew Marconi, and Shane Regan, respectively.

While the tournament wrapped up the year of fencing, Mr. Durkan provided the opportunity to continue training during the summer by participating in a camp hosted at Regis. The camp, offered during the first two full weeks of August, was open to any and all people with an interest in fencing, within or outside of Regis. The rigorous training helped keep the campers in shape and helped prepare for the coming year.

This year, the fencing team meets every Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 to 5:30 to train, constantly practicing the basics to perfect form while also trying to achieve a better grasp of the sport in general. In addition to these practices, Mr. Durkan has offered the opportunity to the most promising or committed fencers to train at the New York Athletic Club every Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00. Such opportunities allow Regians to get even more training time and also to meet other fencers and watch those of a higher caliber. Soon, the opportunity to visit the N.Y.A.C. will be offered during the week as well. In the coming months, Mr. Durkan also hopes to be taking some of the most committed teammates to local tournaments.

Fencing Team Officers:


Varsity Co-Captains:	Tom Otlowski, Martin Lawless
Junior Varsity Captain:	Neil Hannan
Competition Organizers (Team managers):	Ed Jacob, Austin Moukataff
Technical Officers:	Julian Sexton, Joseph DelPreto
Treasurer/Equipment Managers:	Chris Mulrooney, Chris Bednarz

About Patrick J. Durkan

regisfencing@gmail.com
212.203.9585

In 2004, Mr. Durkan was one result short of making the USA Olympic team. After 20 years of fencing, however, it was time to take a bit of time to spend on a professional career. As a day job, Mr. Durkan is now a partner of Madison Financial Concepts, a boutique corporate benefit consulting firm based out of the Chrysler Building. Yet after just under three years off from fencing, he had founded a Brooklyn-based fencing club for the purposes of staying connected to the sport with which he grew up as well attempting to pursue a long-term mission of building a non-Russian fencing tradition in New York. His current fencers represent Gotham Fencing as well as the New York Athletic Club. Over time, Mr. Durkan hopes to feed students into the NYAC's Olympic training program.

Fencing Resume

2004 3rd in World @ the London World Cup
2001 All American (Columbia College)
2000 All American (Columbia College)
2000 Silver Medal @ Senior National Championships
1999 All American (Columbia College)
1998 Senior National Champion (Youngest Senior Champion @ Age 19)
1998 Senior National Team
1998 Ranked 1st in US
1998 Junior National Champion (Under 20)
1998 Junior National Team (Under 20)
1998 All American (Columbia College)
1997 Junior National Champion (Under 20)
1996 Junior National Team (Under 20)
1995 Cadet National Team (Under 17)
1993 Youth National Champion (Under 15)
Many Time Team National Champion Representing the NYAC

Coaches

1984-1987 Mahammod Kabil (Egyptian Sabre National Team)
1987-1989 Igor Pluskin (Russian Sabre National Team)
1989-1991 Jarek Koniusz (Third Place at the World Championship in 1982 and many time National Polish Team Member)
1991-2004 Vassil Etropolski (1983 World Champion, Three Time World Cup Champion)