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FIT is very lucky to have Coach Yury Molchan as our Head Foil Coach. He brings a vast knowledge of NCAA fencing, requirements for college recruiting, Olympic and international fencing and coaching experience, and a wealth of knowledge.
Coach Yury was the Sacred Heart University Head Coach for their Division I Men’s & Women’s Fencing Team from September 2016-22. He was the assistant Men’s and Women’s Foil Team Coach at Ohio State University from 2010 to 2016. He also coached at the Fencing Academy of Westchester and Columbus Fencing and Fitness, LLC.
Yury was a member of the Russian National U-16, U-19, and Senior National team from 2000-2008. He won gold medals at the 2004 European Fencing Championships and 2008 World Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Molchan won a bronze medal in the team event. He is a five-time Russian National Champion and two-time National Champion at both the U-19 and U-16 levels.
Before coming to the U.S., Coach Yury was Vice-Dean of the men’s and women’s fencing coaching department at P.F. Lesgaft National State University of Physical Training, Sports and Health in St. Petersburg, Russia. He spent 10 years with the Russian National Team as a both fencer and instructor.
As the Assistant Coach at Ohio State University, Coach Yury lead the Buckeye foilists to the NCAA Championship in 2012 and finished fourth in 2013 and 2014. The Buckeyes also won two Midwest Conference championships in 2012 and 2014. Yury coached two Fencing Institute of Texas Olympians, Zain Shaito, who won an individual NCAA title in 2012, and Mona Shaito who took third at the NCAA Championships twice in 2012 and 2013. Under Coach Yury’s teaching, FIT fencer Mai Shaito was a Silver Medalist in an individual Junior NAC 2013; Alana Goldie was 3rd Place individual NCAA Championship 2014; and Eleanor Harvey was the Silver Medalist at the individual World Junior Championships in Bulgaria in 2014 and a Bronze Medalist at an individual NAC in 2014.
At Sacred Heart University, Coach Yury trained both the foil and epee teams on a daily basis. In 2021, he qualified 6 fencers to the NCAA Championships at Penn State University. One of his athletes was named All-American in 2021. As a Foil Master, Coach Yury was invited to become a trainer for national coaches throughout the US in order for these coaches to maintain or earn certifications.
PERSONAL FENCING ACHIEVEMENTS:
OTHER PERSONAL AWARDS:
Coach Gregoris Serrano Sierra fencing coach in the Saber modality, was born in Cuba and had an extensive sports career beginning at the age of 12 in different sports-related study centers where he reached high performance and competitive level. In Cuba he studied at the University receiving a degree in Physical Culture. In 2008 he traveled to Colombia and became an active coach of the Colombian Fencing Federation FCE until 2022. In Colombia he obtained his title of Professional in Sports with outstanding professional skills in sports psychology, sports physiology, theory and methodology of sports training among others. He understands the body recovery system and has extensive studies in biomechanics to prevent injuries. Applying sports psychology, Coach Greg instills the importance of positive, critical thinking in his students. He participated in several courses organized by the FCE for coaches and judges. As a coach, he had results with outstanding athletes from the national team, obtaining different medals in international competitions such as the South American and Central American Pan American Games from the Cadet to Senior category. As a Sabre Master, Coach Greg was invited to become a trainer for national coach throughout the US in order for these coaches to maintain or earn certifications.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Coach Hoss grew up in Alexandria, Egypt. He began fencing at the early age of 9. Coach Hoss was on the Egyptian National epee team for several years. Although he never fenced in the Olympics, he was selected to the team multiple years. He fenced in many championships throughout Europe, especially in Hungary, Italy and Germany. Coach Hoss came to the US around 1995 and began working with his close friend at Lone Star Fencing Center where he produced many junior and cadet National epee medalists . When his friend left Lone Star to become head coach at the Air Force Academy, Coach Hoss started Fencing Institute of Texas with a Board of Directors where he has continued his success producing quality fencers. Coach Hoss has a BA in Accounting from the University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt. He is the Head Fencing Coach at St. Mark's School of Dallas.
Coach Carr teaches our Adult Fitness Fencing class and our Victorian Fencing. He has a degree in Library Science and also works at the Dallas Library.
The Victorian fencers perform demonstrations throughout Texas of various rapier, dagger, and short sword techniques. The group meets Wednesdays from 8-9 PM and once a month on Sunday afternoon.
Coach Rhonda has been with FIT as a competitive fencer and coach since 2004. She has pedagogy under Olympian Florin Paunescu of Romania. She has also studied with top US sabre coaches including Arkady Burdan.
Rhonda started her coaching career as a student at University of North Texas. She taught the Wellness class at Southern Methodist University for several years.
Coach April teaches our beginner and intermediate fencers in our Musketeer, Bronze and Silver groups. She is the Assistant Coach for Coach Yury in the Foil Program.
Coach Jeff taught all three weapons at his own club for over 25 years. His paralympian fencer won numerous National medals in foil, epee and sabre, and competed in International competitions. He has one student currently competing on the world stage.
In Parafencing fencing, athletes who use wheelchairs are eligible to compete in Parafencing events internationally and in North American Cup events. However, there are events called "Walk and Roll" in which anyone may participate using wheelchair apparatus. At FIT, we encourage our wheelchair and ambulatory athletes to participate with each other.
Coach Volodymyr passed away November 1st, 2022, after battling cancer. He gave so much to so many, there aren't enough words to thank him.
The Board of Directors set policy and standards of operation for the Fencing Institute of Texas. FIT Coaching staff are advisors to the Board of Directors or send an email to: info@fenceintexas.org
The current Board of Directors and Officers are:
If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors, please contact one of the Board members. The Board performs the "business" of FIT, sets policies, and performs administrative duties so that all our coaches have to do is teach fencing.
General Manager, Brenda Waddoups
Office Managers, Jade Calvert and Lauri Lewis
Armory Staff
Facilities Manager, Jim Matz
To make an appointment with our Staff, email info@fenceintexas.org