With the fall sports season coming to a close, winter sports are upon us. Many teams are ready to pick up where they left off, and once again begin the five-month chase for the coveted title of state champion. One of these is the fencing team, with the boys’ team finishing within the top ten of the state and the girls’ team finishing within the top four. But the fencing team is going to look a little different this year.

During the offseason, it was confirmed that none of the three previous fencing coaches would be returning for the 2024-25 season, sparking a frenzy in an attempt to find new coaches in time for the beginning of the season, which starts on November 28th. Mr. Hoppe and the athletic department found two new fencing coaches: Coaches Stephen Olson and Garret Blakeslee. Both of these coaches have an abundant amount of experience in high school fencing.

Stephen Olson will serve as head coach for the Bernards fencing team. Olson previously served as the head coach for the Gill St. Bernards fencing team, starting in the 2019-20 season up until last season: 2023-24. In addition to his talents as a fencing coach, Olson is also a decorated fencer, having fenced at Drexel University and continuing to have fenced at a somewhat consistent rate coming out of college, earning his C21 rating in 2021, marking him within the ranks of some of the best fencers in the country. 

Garret Blakeslee will take over as the éppe head coach. Blakeslee previously fenced for the Watchung Hills fencing team with former saber coach Cole Decorges who is now the coach at Summit High School. Just like Olson, Blakeslee has continued to fence after high school earning his E24 rating most recently. 

Both coaches were confirmed to be joining the coaching staff on October 16th, 2024 at the monthly Somerset Hills School District Board of Education meeting.  When asked about the situation, sophomore Cameron Bong, ‘27, said he is “excited to meet them” and that he is “eager to cultivate a bond with the new coaches and continue to win meets and do well this season.”

Overall, the coaches coming to Bernards will have their work cut out for them and big goals to work up to, but their requisites precede them and their fencers plan to pick up the pace and reach even higher than they did last year. If all goes according to plan Bernards can hopefully raise yet another state title banner.