As the snow falls on Grier’s campus, students shift their focus to winter sports. Winter sports provide much needed exercise in the months when students tend to spend more time indoors. They also have the added advantage of helping turn our Grier students into real life Robin Hoods as they practice swordplay (fencing) and archery.
Archery
The archery team’s next “shoot” is scheduled for February 15th at Bishop Carroll High School, but I was able to catch up with team member Quinn Stewart to discuss this unique sport. Stewart is one of the seniors on the team who is looking to achieve their personal best in the sport before graduating. “I’m excited to try and get my best score for my senior year,” Stewart said. “I don’t have a bow at home, so over summer it can get kind of difficult to practice. I mostly just want to have fun!”
The archers are learning under coaches Ms. Barr and Mrs. Fernandes and the members enjoy learning this fun sport and practicing with other recreational archers. Stewart also enjoys watching the progress of the new archers. “I like to watch the underclassmen begin to improve,” Stewart said. “You can tell who is going to be on the team next year, and it’s cool to watch as their arrows get closer and closer to the bullseye every practice.”
Despite its seemingly violent nature as arrows pierce through waiting targets, archery is definitely one of the more tranquil winter sports. The foxes practice in a relaxing atmosphere and compete with little stress, allowing athletes to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Winter responsibilities of the team include packing bows for competitions and getting over their rustiness from a lack of summer practice.
Fencing
The fencing team begins their matches on Wednesday the 29th against their rival and only competitor, Northern Bedford County. They are led by coach Crocker and compete in the newly established Blair-Bedford Fencing League. While there aren’t many competitors in this league, there is a trophy and champion title on the line that the foxes hope to bring home to Grier.
Josie Filan, ‘26, pointed to some of the challenges that the team faces, such as the many new additions and a lack of point control; however, their strength is having veteran members of the team who can assist their ne
w teammates. “The people who have never done it before get to learn from the older kids,” said Filan. Fencing is a unique sport that many consider the chess of sports, and Filan advised her fellow fencers to “be aggressive, unless your opponent is aggressive–then be defensive.”
Both winter sports have a lot to look forward to this season and we are excited to follow along as their matches kickoff!
