En Garde
- Nicole Tafe
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 13
Peters Township High School Fencing Club celebrates a winning season.
For the fencers of Peters Township High School, success isn’t just about mastering the blade—it’s about commitment, community and camaraderie. Founded in 2009 by Becky Bowman, the Peters Township High School Fencing Club has grown into a thriving program, turning out competitive athletes and dedicated teammates year after year.
Led by head coach Elmira Ioultchieva and assistant coach Tim Yultchiev, the club now supports 15 to 20 athletes each season. This spring, the team celebrated a standout performance in the 2025 Pittsburgh Interscholastic Fencing Association (PIFA) Epee competitions, with Peters Township’s Boys Team 1 earning first place and Boys Team 2 clinching second—a rare and impressive feat for one school. The Girls Team 1 also brought home second place honors, just behind Mt. Lebanon.
“We are incredibly proud of our athletes,” says Coach Ioultchieva. “This season was a true testament to their discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship. Many of them train beyond our weekly practices and their dedication shows.”
Fencing practices are held every Wednesday after school, with additional training available through the nearby Tiger Fencing Club. While fencing is often considered an individual sport, Peters Township’s program thrives on collaboration. “Our older students really take the time to mentor the younger ones,” says Coach Yultchiev. “They share strategies and help each other grow—on and off the strip.”
The program’s structure encourages this sense of team unity. Competitions follow a team format modeled after U.S. Fencing Association rules, which allows multiple teams from each school to participate and promotes broader engagement. With full-body target zones and simultaneous scoring, the epee discipline brings an extra level of intensity to the sport.
Behind the scenes, the fencing club benefits from a strong support network. Booster Club President Heather King coordinates communication between the team, parents and the athletic department, and also helps drive fundraising efforts that make the sport more accessible.
The club’s history of success is matched by its continued growth. Over the years, Peters fencers have graduated, gone on to college and returned as referees or mentors in the local fencing community. And now, middle school students can even train alongside the team—an initiative that helps build talent and interest from an early age.
With five electric fencing strips, competitive training equipment and a dedicated coaching staff, Peters Township’s fencing program continues to raise the bar. “We’re not just building athletes—we’re building leaders,” says Ioultchieva.
Looking ahead, the club hopes to involve more schools in the PIFA league and keep spreading the sport’s appeal across the region. But for now, the team is relishing the results of a hard-fought season—and getting ready for the next!
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