FIT Coaches

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: 

• 2000-2008 Member of the U-16, U-19, and Senior Russian National Team 
• XVIII Olympic Games in Athens, Greece – Bronze Medal in Team Event
• 2004 European Fencing Championships in Denmark – Gold Medal in Team Event
• XXIII World University Games in Izmir, Turkey – Bronze Medal in Both Team and Individual Events
• XXII World University Games in Daegu, South Korea – Bronze Medal in Team Event
• 2008 World Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark – Gold Medal in Individual Event
• 2005 World Cup in Vancouver, Canada – Silver Medal in Individual Event
• 2005 Grand Prix in La Coruna, Spain – Silver Medal in Individual Event
• 2004 Grand Prix in Paris, France – Silver Medal in Individual Event
• 2003 U-19 World Championships in Trapani, Italy – Silver Medal in Team Event and Bronze Medal in Individual Event 
• 2002 U-19 European Championships in Conegliano, Italy – Gold Medal in Team Event
• 2002 U-19 World Championships in Antalya, Turkey – Silver Medal in Team Event
• 2000 U-16 World Championships in South Bend, USA – Silver Medal in Individual Event
• 5-time Russian National Champion (Seniors); 2-time Russian National Champion (U-19), 2-time Russian National Champion (U-16)

OTHER PERSONAL AWARDS:

• Medal of Honor granted by the president of Russian Federation “For Merits before Fatherland” (II degree) – granted in June 2005 by then President, Vladimir Putin
• The Deserved Master of Sports of Russia – granted in Au
• gust 2004, an honorable sports rank granted in Russia for the highest achievements in the major international athletic events (Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships) 
• The Master of Sports of Russia / International Class - granted in October 2004, an honorable sports rank granted in Russia for the highest achievements in the major international athletic events other than Olympic Games
• The Master of Sports of Russia – granted in February 2000, an honorable sports rank granted in Russia for the highest achievements in the major national athletic events (Russian National Championships and Tournaments) 

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.