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02/23/2022 11:00 PMPrior to attending high school, Taylor Smith was fascinated at the sight of her sister Lindsey competing for the Guilford girls’ fencing team. Taylor attended all of her sister’s meets and vowed to join the fencing program once she reached the high school.
Now a junior at Guilford High School, Taylor is leading the girls’ fencing team as a captain this season. Taylor is one of the top fencers in the program with a record of 28-6 on the foil strip.
“I started fencing my freshman year. It was all thanks to my sister Lindsey, who was a captain for the girls’ foil team her senior year. Before I was in high school, I would watch her compete, and she inspired me to join the team,” says Taylor. “I really love how fencing is a very strategic sport. You have to be very patient when you’re competing in a bout, and you constantly have to think about your next move.”
Taylor got out to a fine start to her fencing career at Guilford by competing in states during her freshman and sophomore seasons. From the second she started fencing, Taylor loved how the sport gives her an opportunity to bond with her teammates.
“My favorite moment would be placing in states for the two years that I’ve been on the team. Also, I love how our team works together and supports one another. We’re like a family, and we are always there for one another,” Taylor says. “We encourage each other to be the best we can and, it not only improves our fencing skills, but it also strengthens our attitude as a team.”
Guilford fencing Head Coach Tara Bowers praises Taylor for being an outstanding leader for her squad. Coach Bowers describes Taylor as an athlete who always provides a calming presence for her fellow Grizzlies.
“Everyone on the team loves and respects Taylor. She is the anchor of our team in both times of difficulty and celebration,” says Bowers. “I’m looking forward to seeing her shine at states in a few weeks and, hopefully, that our women’s foil team will continue dominating the competition with Taylor as their captain.”
Likewise, Taylor says that working with Coach Bowers has allowed her to improve immensely during her tenure with Guilford fencing. Taylor also credits coach Jeremy Goun for helping everyone in the program flourish.
“Coach Bowers is a very supportive person. She’s always there for the team and is willing to help us in any way she can. She helps our team grow and improve every practice, and she is always there to give you advice when you need it,” Taylor says. “Jeremy Goun, our co-coach, has also supported the team. He is always next to the strip giving advice and keeping us in a positive mindset.”
With states on the way, Taylor is looking for Guilford to replicate its regular-season success when the Grizzlies compete in the postseason. Taylor has seen improvements in all of her teammate’s performances, and she expects that to carry over into the State Championship meets.
“This year’s fencing season has been incredible. Everyone on the team has worked so hard to get where they are now, and they all showed so much improvement,” says Taylor. “I’m excited for our team to compete in states, so that we can show everyone how hard we have worked. I’m very proud of everyone on the team and love how hard they work to improve their skills.”
With the COVID-19 pandemic still persisting throughout the United States, Taylor is taking extra precautions to ensure that Guilford can finish out its season without any issues. Taylor wants everyone to stay healthy and doesn’t want anything to get in the way of the Grizzlies’ pursuit of state gold.
“We as a fencing team take COVID seriously. We make sure to respect others and their health, but we don’t let this affect the way we perform as a team,” Taylor says. “We work really hard regardless of the situation we are put in, and this makes us even stronger as a whole.”