The clashing of steel may be centuries old, but on the polished floors of Poly’s fencing room, it sounds new. With masks fastened tight and foils darting through the air, the fencing team isn’t just shaking off the summer dust; the Panthers are sharpening instincts for a season where every lunge could count. This year, the fencing team parted ways with eight seniors, leaving behind major gaps in its roster. Junior captain Owen Taylor reflected, “After the seniors left last year, we lost nearly our entire varsity team, and they have prodigious shoes to fill. However, our [current] varsity team stands undaunted in the face of this problem.” To fill in gaps, the team has welcomed eight ambitious freshmen who have picked up their foils and are ready to propel the program toward new heights. Head coach Eric Holmgren noted, “We’ve got a couple [of freshmen] that have got a lot of passion for the sport and to do well.” Players have been working hard to close the skill gap throughout the summer. “This year is a lot of team rebuilding from what we have seen the last couple of years, and it’s going to take a little confidence for the juniors to catch up and make progress,” Holmgren said. “Mostly, we have been working on getting the fundamentals down with a specific focus on getting the freshmen up to speed. They’ve been making quick work at getting ready for tournaments,” explained sophomore Narayan Neti. To prepare for upcoming tournaments, the team hosted a preparation tournament at Poly, giving new members invaluable experience before facing outside competition. The practice allowed players to work through match nerves, test out different strategies, and get comfortable with the competitive atmosphere for their first tournament on Saturday, Sept. 6, where Neti placed 11th and sophomores Benjamin Brady and Annie Delbridge placed 14th and 17th, respectively. The rapid progress of the team’s freshmen reflects more than just individual talent; it speaks to the team’s collaborative culture and camaraderie. Freshman Gemma Chang observed, “Some of the team’s strengths are being very supportive of one another and helping each other improve.” Neti agreed, “The team’s biggest strength is how we all help each other out. It might be an individual sport, but we all try to make our teammates better.” Despite a season defined by transition, Poly’s fencing team is filled with renewed energy and determination. With passionate freshmen stepping up and an emphasis on skill development, the team has transformed obstacles into opportunities. As the season begins, the team is on track for a successful season, improving day by day.