Senior Jason Zhang began fencing when he was around 10 years old, quickly finding enjoyment in the sport. Zhang was introduced at a young age by a family friend who fenced. He would attend practices, being exposed to it often. 

“Imagine [telling] a 10-year-old kid, ‘You get to stab people with swords,’” he said. “That’s like, oh my goodness, that’s awesome. And I was like, ‘Okay, I need to try this.’”

From there, Zhang was signed up for fencing classes, and would join the Wallingford-Swarthmore Panthers Fencing Club (WSPFC) when he began middle school in 6th grade. 

During that time, he was coached by Pixie Roane, the head coach and founder of the WSPFC. Roane also teaches middle school fencing in the physical education courses. 

“[His] work ethic and attention to detail in all of the movements, both offensive and defensive actions [stood out],” Roane said. “His work ethic showed because he paid special attention to each demonstration of each skill that I shared with the club members.” 

Zhang’s love for the sport continued through middle school, as shown in his work ethic and mental approach when practicing and competing at high levels. 

When he reached high school, he carried the same mentality over and wanted to compete seriously at a higher level. He switched to the Revolution Fencing Center club in June 2024.

“I realized, ‘You’ve been in the sport for three or four years at this point,’” Zhang said. “I wanted to try and get more competitive… factoring in the amount of training time and adding in more time for cardio and private lessons, it definitely was a rough adjustment. I have got to give my thanks to Ms. Roane, obviously. She started me, and she guided me through the beginnings of it.”

In the years following freshman year, Zhang would compete at the Junior Olympics, along with various other local and regional competitions for fencing. 

“I’ve medaled multiple times at the local level, especially in this area,” he said. “I’ve gotten third in high school championships two times.”

Zhang is ranked 27th regionally for men’s epee with USA Fencing. Junior Olympics, however, is a “step up” from the rest of the tournaments Zhang has competed in. 

“If you really think about it, everyone’s working, working, and working, just to get that one moment,” Zhang said. “And when you get there, it definitely kind of hits you in the face like, holy cow, I’m here. It was like a mindset shift, because everyone’s out there giving 150%, and getting hit with that intensity, especially as sort of a newer competitive fencer, has definitely been a hard adjustment.”

One of his current coaches, coach Doug Tableman of the Revolution Fencing Center, sees how Zhang applies important lessons within the sport in order to succeed.

“Rather than chalking things up to, ‘This person’s too fast, or they’re too strong,’ he’s focused on what he can adjust… He’ll come up with a plan,” Tableman said. “I think he’s a great example of what you can accomplish when you are open to feedback, and okay with losing in practice… Jason loses, if we’re talking about it, he asks, ‘What can I do better? What can I do differently?’”

The lessons that Zhang has taken from the sport throughout his career have also proven to be valuable outside of fencing. 

“Putting more thought into preparing yourself for what’s going to happen, I think, has been the biggest lesson that I’ve learned,” he said. “Whether it be through academics or speech and debate and whatnot. Just falling in love with the process of working towards that bigger goal has definitely been a big thing that fencing has given back to me.”

Now, he faces the final year of his high school career, and acts as an example for other young fencers to follow through his work ethic both in and out of practices.

Tableman believes that there are two main parts of work ethic in fencing — and that Zhang is good at both. “First, is just putting in the time,” Tableman said. “The second part of good training is deliberate practice… He’s done a really good job with that, and I often try to hold him up as an inspiration to my younger fencers.”

Zhang looks forward to the rest of his high school career, despite it potentially being his last year in high-level fencing. 

“I think I’m most excited for high school championships if we do end up hosting them, because they got canceled last year, and knowing that it’s like my last year where I can compete at this high level has definitely stuck with me,” he said. “I definitely do want to go out with a bang.”