Sophomore takes part in different sport

Turner took up fencing after her dad introduced her to it.

Zoie Marks

Turner took up fencing after her dad introduced her to it.

Before stepping onto the long, narrow mat known as the ‘piste’ or strip, she makes sure she has everything she will need to prepare for the bout. Chest protector?  Plastron? Check.  Over jacket? Mask? Check. Glove? Kickers? Check. The thought, ‘I’m going to lose,’ runs through her mind, but no matter what, she promises herself that she will try her best.

Continuing the tradition started by her father, sophomore Turner Lumpkin took up the sport of fencing.

Turner said fencing is tiring and fun if she’s doing well, but frustrating if she is doing badly.

“I fence for fun,” Turner said. “I do it to get better at something that’s unique. No one else here fences that I know of.”

She spends anywhere from four to six hours a week practicing at Amarillo College not including tournaments or bouts against other people. Bouts, like rounds in wrestling, last until one fencer makes 15 touches or 3 minutes are up.

“Bouts are when you try to get a touch and prevent your opponent from getting a touch,” Turner said. “Tournaments are a little more complicated.”

Tournaments, such as the Amarillo Open are held in regular gyms.     

“[Tournaments have] many bouts and events going on at the same time,” Turner said. “[There are] a lot of people fencing, waiting, and watching the bouts.”

Fencing’s roots can be traced all the way back to the first Olympics in Athens Greece and is still a part of the Olympics today.

“[People are] surprised and impressed [that I fence], I find it funny.”

Though she is not sure whether or not she will pursue fencing after high school, Turner says it has taught her how to work hard.

“Fencing gave [me] quick reflexes,” Turner said. “I don’t drop things on the floor very often.”

Turner said she enjoys the exercise that fencing gives her.

“I like getting up and getting active and getting to hang out with friends.”

Turner said there are some misconceptions about fencing.

“People think that when you fence electric, you get shocked, but you don’t.” Turner said.

She also said that fencing can be painful.

“If you get hit hard enough, it can hurt,” Turner said. “I have the bruises to prove it.”

She said that the she enjoys that it has taught her lessons outside of the sport that she can apply to life.

“It’s taught me how to catch things when they’re falling, how to work hard, and how to work with little kids.”