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03/26/2014 12:00 AMFor her senior season with Hand fencing, Chloe Broquet wanted to go out in style for her team and she did just that in tremendous fashion.
After being a captain for soccer in the fall, Chloe was a girls' co-captain on a fencing squad that grew into 56 co-ed participants this past year. As she compiled a 13-8 solo mark and finished 15th at the Individual State Championships on March 1, Chloe was a part of history when she was on the girls' foil group that finished second at the Team State Championships the following week-marking Hand's first trophy at that event.
"I really wanted to leave here on a good note and, before this year, the team never got a trophy at team states so I pushed myself to leave something behind. I was driven by our team," says Chloe. "I just had to give it my all. It was surprising to me that we had that many people come out for the team this year and it was overwhelming with only three other captains and one coach, but I think the coaches and captains handled it well."
Despite not taking home the top foil prize at team states, Chloe and her teammates were pleased to take runner-up as the Tigers' tight quartet focused toward a goal for the school.
"When we were seeded second after individual states, we were absolutely happy because we realized we were as strong as anybody as a team, both mentally and physically," says Chloe, who fenced alongside Emily Syvertsen, girls' co-captain Kathleen Downes, and Sarah Price for the second-place finish. "We got into a huddle and said how this is what we want and we also supported each other. We were probably the closest-knit group going into it."
While one needs to be in physical shape for the sport, Chloe says a huge slice of fencing is mental ability with trying to anticipate your foe's next move.
"Fencing is like a physical form of chess. If you don't mentally figure out your opponent, then they will beat you," Chloe says. "You need a lot of physical strength in your thighs and lower body, yet you have to mentally pick apart an opponent's weaknesses. You need to be able to squat for 20 to 30 minutes and it targets different muscles. Though for any bout, you have to be mentally prepared because your opponent will constantly switch things up."
First-year Head Coach Rich Fisler say`s that his captain never stopped improving both on and off the mat with her leadership and strategies toward triumphs.
"Chloe continued to show great leadership as a team co-captain and was consistently an excellent fencer and teammate all year," says Fisler.
Chloe found her back against the wall in a tight affair at the solo state meet, yet she picked up a big, emotionally and physically draining 15-14 victory.
"My best bout this year was at an elimination match at individual states. It was a back-and-forth match and I had to come back from deficits," says Chloe. "But I saw my opponent was physically breaking down so I pushed myself to get the win."
As a leader of a large club, Chloe was impressed with the newcomers' progress, but she was even more proud that her squad got its name in the Hand history books.
"Being captain was one of the greatest experiences I could've had. I went from being captain with 11 girls' soccer varsity players to 56 co-ed competitors and I tried my best to spend time with kids and give pointers," Chloe says. "I love that they gave their all and everyone was really enthusiastic. It was rewarding to get second at states, finally get our trophy, build something up here, and see that trophy next to the football, gymnastics, and all the other trophies."
Following a landmark campaign for the program, the graduting fencer feels that the road ahead could be paved gold with state crowns for the Tigers.
"I was very pleased with this season and more than surprised with the number of kids on the team. After our first meet, we just exploded and kept winning," says Chloe, who thanks Coach Fisler, parents Michelle and Chris, plus teammate Downes, and former team administrator Nan Cook. "They will do really well in the future and I think they can get first place."