Congratulations to Julia DiPaolo for receiving Student Athlete of the Month! Julia fences for Central, and received this award for her outstanding achievements on the WMC fencing team this season.

DiPaolo has fenced for her whole life both in school and at her club, Manchen Academy of Fencing. She enjoys being a part of the club as it brings together local and regional players as well. Specifically, DiPaolo uses the foil sword.

DiPaolo states that she “placed 8th for individual states this year, first for counties, and first for districts.” Additionally, she placed twelfth her junior year as well as qualified for states her sophomore, junior, and senior year. These impressive accomplishments are helping her while she looks at colleges, specifically ones where she can continue her athletic career. She is hoping to be recruited soon!

DiPaolo states that her favorite part of fencing is the “strategy of it, you have to analyze yourself. For example, I watch videos of myself and also the technical parts if it and the trickery are all really important.”

The coaches for WMC fencing are Mr. Crouse and Coach Strnatko. DiPaolo’s favorite and best advice she has ever received from a coach was to “take it 1 touch at a time. Don’t think about the end goal right now, just take it one step at a time.” DiPaolo elaborates that a “touch” in fencing is when you strike your opponent, so this advice doubles as life advice as well as literal fencing advice.

Thank you so much Julia, and best of luck for the future!