ABout us:
Cyrano's Place is a fencing club in Lakewood, Ohio, just minutes from downtown Cleveland. We the only local club that teaches all three Olympic Fencing disciplines: Epee, Foil, and Saber. All skill levels are welcome, check out the Classes & Schedule page to for more info about class times. (Not including Beginner classes)
At Cyranos Place Sports Club, we're all about helping you discover your passion for fencing. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a complete beginner, we offer a range of activities and events to help you get started. Our experienced coaches are here to guide you every step of the way, so you can achieve your goals and have fun while doing it!
Check out our YouTube Channel for videos on How to's, Interviews with Olympians and other influential people in the sport, tournament finals, and MUCH MORE:
https://www.youtube.com/c/CyranosPlace
Why Fencing?
Life Time Sport
We put the highest priority on safety, respect, and sportsmanship. These three elements are essential to creating an environment where all of our members can learn and grow and of course, have fun! Team is a huge part of who we are at Cyrano's Place. Everyone who walks through the door is offered a chance to learn, grow, compete and become part of our close-knit community. We offer classes for children as young as seven years old and any age above that. Yes, we have competitive fencers over the age of 60!
(Picture: Jeff Landis, Mary Turzillo, Jason Pryor OLY, Coach Sara Kass, Coach Ted Williams)
About Fencing
Comradery and Sportsmanship
Competition allows a person growth, comradeship and sportsmanship. Think of competition as a quiz with no effect on your grade, but a chance to find out what you need to work on.
The sport is fast paced, exhilarating, and surprisingly accessible. Fencing is one of the safest Olympic sports, boasting a very low injury rate. (Statistically speaking, Little League Baseball is more dangerous but that's still an incredibly low bar!)
Here is a quick explanation of the three styles of fencing:
Epee is fenced with the entire body as valid target and the rules are simple -- whoever hits first gets the touche!
Foil, like Epee scores by hitting the opponent with the tip of the blade, but only the torso is valid target. Additionally, right-of-way (a set of rules used to determine who "controls" the action) applies. A touche is awarded when a fencer hits valid target with right of way.
Saber also uses right-of-way, but only the upper body is target area. Touches are scored by hitting with the side of the blade. Think-more like Star Wars or Cavalry but way faster.
Come by the club and try all three! You'll be surprised at how closely one of these disciplines matches your personality and competitive style!
(Picture: Llew and Gray having just fenced each other to finish 1st and 2nd in a local tournament.)
Who Should fence?
EVERYONE!
CLASS STYLE
We believe that everybody should be coached based on their style of learning. We understand that each person who walks in the door comes for a different reason, some out of pure curiosity. Some for exercise that's a greater adrenaline rush than a health club. It is our goal to help you achieve whatever you would like in fencing.
We fence to relieve stress or to be competitors. If your focus and discipline is intense enough, maybe full ride scholarships to college or/and National teams are in your future. No matter where you want to go with Fencing, we can help you make it happen.
Our classes are designed to build fitness, skills, and mental fortitude needed to become a successful fencer. Fencing is both a mental and physical discipline.
(Picture: Mike wants YOU to fence. Bill photobombs in agreement!)
About our Coaching Staff
Head Coach Sara Kass
Head coach Sara Kass has been in the sport of fencing for over 45 years. She has competed extensively locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Her results include national finalist in the first two Women's Saber USA National Championships, multiple foil national finalist, representing the USA in Israel for the 2013 Maccabiah games-bringing home gold, top 24 collegiate and Junior Women's foilists in the nation. She fenced NCAA for Hunter College in New York.
She's been to two Olympic games as a scorekeeper. Was on the national board of USA Fencing and has held many administrative positions in the region and division. She is a certified referee in all weapons.
Coach Kass is also the Head Coach at Rocky River High School, which has won many women's state championships. In 2019, Rocky River High School won both Men's and Women's State Championships.
She has certifications in: SafeSport, Background check, NFHS Fundamentals in Coaching as well as First Aid, CPR and Concussion in sports.
Coach Sara Kass is assisted by:
Coach Ted Williams
has been in and out of the sport for over 45 years. He knew Coach Kass when she was knee high to a foil tip. Former Women's coach at Cleveland State
Coach Taylor Hall
A Rocky River High School Graduate and former team captain, was one of the top Ohio High School women's foilist in her day. She returns to Cleveland to help in one of her many passions.
Coach Ben Olson
After Graduating from Rocky River High School, went on to represent Cleveland State University in Saber. After graduating from Cleveland State University, he's pursuing his passion at Cyrano's Place helping to develop saberist in the current game.
Coach Neil Mittal
Comes to help when he's got time off from his many duties at Western Reserve Academy, where he's both a math teacher and fencing coach.
Coach Wil Wheeler
fenced with Coaches Ted and Sara when he, too, was knee high to a foil tip. He actually put the first foil in Coach Sara's hand when he was 11 and she was 13. Now, he works with our sister club, Shaker Hts Fencing Club. (If you are from the Hts area, please see tab on 'Fencing in the Hts' with Wil. He's been known to come help with camps and other activities.