FENCING
“Fencing requires
discipline and dedication
to physical and intellectual
aspects of the sport.”
RICK MAXWELL
WAYNE HILLS GIRLS FENCING TEAM Jessi Chen, Kaitlyn Langschultz, Uma Dhekne, Coach Christina Caamano, Donna Li, Maria Migalko, Kate Shin,
Lauren Park, Audry Hong and Daria Mikhol
WAYNE HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
COACHES CHRISTINA CAAMANO AND RICK MAXWELL
Christina Caamano, head coach for girls’ fencing at Wayne Hills High School, is an
English teacher, as well as girls’ soccer coach and spring track coach. Her training
sessions include conditioning, as well as leg, core and upper body workouts. “Fencing
is strongly based on technique, but you need physical strength and endurance, too,”
Caamano says. “Our 23 girls cheer each other on, and help each other improve
personal technique and style. Individual talent and work ethic contribute to our
team’s success,” she adds. WHHS placed 3rd in the County tournament, with individual
County medalists. Saber squad took first place at Districts and individuals medaled,
qualifying them for State Championships.
Rick Maxwell, head boys’ fencing coach at Wayne Hills has been involved in fencing
as a competitor, teacher and coach for more than 30 years. “I was taught by top
coaches in my era, and I competed at national and international levels,” he states.
Maxwell, owner of Live by the Sword fencing club in Wayne, says “Fencing requires
discipline and dedication to physical and intellectual aspects of the sport. It is difficult
to learn, and requires an extremely high level of fitness, especially in larger tournaments.” WHHS fencers were District Champions this year, with saber fencers earning
first place for squad and individuals. They went on to win the State Championships in
saber and fenced as a team in Final Four, which Maxwell says are the best results in
WHHS fencing history. “I stress emotional control and try to encourage my fencers to
trust in their abilities to be courageous in competition,” he notes. ➤
RICK MAXWELL AND CHRISTINA CAAMANO
“Individual talent and
work ethic contribute to
our team’s success.”
CHRISTINA CAAMANO
MAY 2016
WAYNE MAGAZINE
37