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02/06/2019 11:00 PMFencers need a mixture of physical flexibility and mental stability in order to see success on the strip. Senior Oscar Scott is displaying both of those traits and then some as a member of the Guilford fencing program this winter.
Oscar is a senior captain who fences with the épée sword for the Indians. Oscar was drawn to fencing through one of his friend’s older siblings when he was younger, then took up the sport on a full-time basis at the high school. After helping the Guilford boys’ team earn the three-peat as overall state champions last year, Oscar has picked up right where he left off this season and is sporting a record of 28-1 for the Indians.
“I have some great coaches here who have helped me. I attribute my success to the ability to just lock down,” says Oscar. “Mentally, I just get into a state of calmness and clarity when I’m out there.”
Even though he’s in the midst of his final foray at Guilford, Oscar says that his progression as a fencer is a never-ending quest. As time has gone by, Oscar has learned that it’s not always about the battle of the brawn, but rather, the bout between the brains that tells the tale of who prevails.
“I still have a lot to learn for sure. My freshman year, I just really locked into the basics. [Assistant Coach Chris Balestracci] worked with me to figure out the mental aspects of things, which has helped give me an edge,” Oscar says. “In other sports, the most athletic will win out. It’s not that way in fencing, as long as you can outthink your opponent. It’s about being more mentally prepared than the opposition.”
Oscar is one of the key athletes in a talented class of 19 seniors who are competing for the Indians. Oscars says that Guilford’s veteran depth gives him more time to work with the program’s future generation of varsity fencers.
“We have a really mature team with both our number of seniors and how we conduct ourselves,” says Oscar. “A lot of the seniors don’t need my help, so it allows me to teach the future of the team in the underclassmen and set them up for success.”
Head Coach Kyle Mezzi praises Oscar for the passion and positivity that he brings to the Indians each and every day.
“Oscar combines a solid work ethic and an uncommon enthusiasm to help those around him get better every day,” says Mezzi. “His composure in competition is a great example for his teammates, especially when the match is close. After his first loss of the season, I went up to him and the first words out of his mouth were, ‘Don’t worry. I know what I did wrong and will fix it.’”
Oscar is aiming to help the boys’ épée team finish first at states following its silver-medal performance last season. However, the most important thing for Oscar is that Guilford takes home both state titles as a program for the fourth consecutive campaign.
“We have the potential for another big year. We’re the strongest team out there,” Oscar says. “Last year, the boys’ épée team was second to Prospect, so we want to see how we square up to them this year. But our main goal is to have all of our teams sweep the podium.”