Forty years ago, Emil Petruncio '85 earned his varsity letter and was ranked among the top 16 fencers nationally. Today, he is still leading Navy's fencing program, but now as a volunteer head coach. After commissioning, Petruncio served as a Surface Warfare Officer before transitioning into the naval oceanography community. In 2005, he became a Permanent Military Professor in the USNA Oceanography department, a position he held for 12 years until his retirement in 2017.

Although Petruncio's primary role at USNA was academic, his passion for fencing never waned. Upon his return to the Academy, he immediately immersed himself in the fencing program, serving first as an officer representative and fencing (epee) coach. Over time, his responsibilities expanded, and he assumed the role of head coach. As a link in Navy fencing's long and historic chain, Petruncio continues to develop midshipmen, publicize the team, and build engagement with the alumni fencers.

A Tradition of Excellence in Navy Fencing

Fencing has long been a defining part of the athletic and competitive spirit at the Naval Academy. Dating back to 1896, it was one of only four varsity sports offered at the Academy at the turn of the 20th century, alongside baseball, crew, and football. Over the years, the sport has produced nearly 60 All-Americans, 12 Olympians (5 bronze medals), and numerous national champions. 

Even though fencing's varsity status was dropped in 1993, its legacy forged on, first as an extracurricular activity and then as a highly competitive club sport. Under Petruncio's leadership, Navy still competes against the nation's top competition. Petruncio quickly admits he is not a fencing master like his own college coach, Andre Deladrier, who started coaching at Navy in 1958 and produced 2 NCAA team championships, 6 NCAA individual titles, and 19 All-Americans. However, Petruncio carries on the tradition of developing midshipmen in the art of fencing to help build their skills as future officers in the Navy and Marine Corps.

"To be a good fencer, you need great analytical and decision-making skills," explains Petruncio. "Observe, orient, decide and act! Those are the skills of a fencer and you need to do it quickly. You learn to analyze an opponent and make decisions on the fly, which definitely aids in their military development."

Current Fencers Thriving at the Naval Academy

The current fencing team competes in mixed club/varsity meets, as well as the club national championships. Competing against varsity fencers at the 2025 Mid Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association Championships, Aaron Hobson '28 finished with a bronze medal, the highest finish for a Navy fencer at this event. "Aaron's footwork and decision-making were fantastic," remarked Petruncio. "His feet were moving so fast! It was fun to watch."

On the women's side, Alison Palisoul '28 finished in the top 16 of this year's National Intercollegiate Women's Fencing Association Championships. The NIWFA is the oldest collegiate sports organization for women in this country, dating back to 1929. 

The current team is predominantly "walk-ons" who never fenced before college, yet the team competes at the national level. The success of Navy fencing is deeply tied to the qualities required of midshipmen—discipline, endurance, and sharp analytical thinking. "Midshipmen are in shape to begin with, and they've got the stamina to get through long tournaments," Petruncio noted. "Fencing requires strong decision-making skills, self-discipline, and a will to win. That's why our fencers often upset opponents with more experience in the sport."

In recent history, the women's team won the combined (epee, foil, and sabre) club national championship in 2014, while the men's saber team were national champions in 2019. Every year, the team gets to compete with Army multiple times, with the Midshipmen defeating the Black Knights, most recently, at the MACFA championship. Navy will meet Army again on April 5-6 in the Club National Championships at State College, Pa.

The Role of Alumni in Sustaining the Program

The support of Navy fencing alumni has been instrumental in maintaining the team's success. Financial backing from former fencers accounts for approximately 75% of the team's budget. Petruncio has developed an alumni database to help keep its former fencers involved with the program. Some alumni will come back as a volunteer coach in one of the three fencing weapons. Other alumni, such as Admiral Harry Harris '78, former commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, will show up and give the team a pep talk before a championship meet.

One of the most anticipated events each year is the Alumni Meet, a tradition where alumni come back to compete against the midshipmen. The competition is not only a test of skill, but also a valuable learning experience for current team members. As Petruncio explains, "It's often a little slice of humility for the mids. They learn that it's not all about speed—good form and strategy, along with decision making, enable the alumni to win a lot of bouts."

Beyond the lessons learned on the mat, the alumni provide insight into life beyond the Academy, both in active duty and civilian careers, reinforcing the idea that physical fitness and mental sharpness are lifelong pursuits.

This year's Fencing Alumni Meet is set for Saturday, March 22 at 2 p.m. in Dahlgren Hall. To learn more about the alumni meet or help support the team, reach out to Emil Petruncio at fencing.navy@gmail.com.To keep in touch with the fencing team on-line, follow its social media at https://linktr.ee/navyfencing. 

Under Coach Petruncio's leadership and with continued alumni support, Navy fencing remains a powerhouse among club sports. The program exemplifies the perseverance and excellence expected of midshipmen, ensuring that the legacy of fencing at the Naval Academy remains strong for generations to come.