AIDEN CLICK
Aiden first attended an AFA summer camp in 2017 when he was looking for a new sport to try. His dad fenced in college, so he encouraged Aiden to give fencing a try.
Aiden graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society and on the honor roll all 4 years of high school.
Post-graduation, Aiden will continue working as a fencing coach this summer before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he plans to study engineering and eventually pursue a career in that field. UNC has a fantastic NCAA fencing team and Aiden will fence for the Tar Heels next year.
Aiden’s advice for younger fencers is: The best way to improve is to fence against fencers that are better than you. Go out of your way to fence stronger fencers, don’t just fence against your friends. You need to learn how to lose and not give up, consider every bout a learning opportunity and build on it.
When Aiden started fencing, Coach Igor told him that those who put in the effort and don’t have talent will go farther than those who have talent and don’t put in the effort. Putting in the effort is what’s important. That stuck with him, and he always came to every practice prepared to work hard and put in the effort.
MEHA DATLA
Meha I started fencing at AFA 6 years ago when her dad saw an ad in the Cary magazine and she decided she wanted to join!
Meha graduated from Research Triangle High School where she was part of the Mock trial team, National English Honors Society, National Honors Society and she also led her school’s Fencing club.
Post-graduation, Meha will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she plans to study business administration and data science. She is also considering pursuing a double major in film studies.
UNC does have a division 1 team that is part of the ACC, but Meha may try to come back to AFA during breaks or join a club nearby.
Meha’s advice for younger fencers: Private lessons are so helpful so make sure to apply the techniques you learn during open bouting.
Catherine Gabay
Cat started fencing at AFA when she was 14 because her brother fenced, and she wanted to fence as well.
Cat graduated from Green Hope High School where he was on the honor roll and participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Post-graduation, Cat will attend the University of Maryland, where she will enjoy taking a variety of different classes, as she is currently undecided on a major. Maryland does have a fencing club that Cat will likely join.
Cat’s advice for younger fencers: Show up to practice with an intention to get better.
GARRETT KUO
Garrett started fencing at Apex as a high school sophomore after watching fencing in the 2021 Olympics and realizing his interest in the sport.
Garrett graduated from Apex Friendship High School where he was a member of the Academy of Engineering as well as many honor societies including the National Honor Society. In addition to fencing, Garrett played soccer for NCFC (North Carolina Football Club).
Post-graduation, Garrett will attend Purdue University where he plans on pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering and participating in their co-op program to gain work experience and education. He hopes to work for an aeronautical engineering company after he graduates. Purdue has a fencing club, where Garrett will continue fencing.
Garrett’s advice for younger fencers is: Measure your progress over a long period of time, not just day-to-day.
The best advice Garrett received from his coaches was that “Your hand should move before your foot on all actions.” And he will always remember Coach Wes’s workouts!
CALEB TSAI
Caleb started fencing in 2016 when AFA was still in the community center. He decided to try fencing because I saw it in a magazine and thought it looked cool.
Caleb graduated from Apex Friendship High School where he was on the honor roll. He was not involved in any clubs or sports, other than fencing.
Post-graduation, Caleb will be enlisting in the US Marine Corps.
Caleb’s advice for younger fencers: Try to do things and don’t be too lazy because it makes you look like a bum.