Penn's top fencer takes on area youth

Wharton sophomore Cliff Bayer knows fencing. Looking forward to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, he is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation by the United States Fencing Association for the senior foil division. All of the training in the world, however, could not prepare the Penn fencer for a gym full of 6- to 9-year-olds. Sponsored by the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, Bayer and his fellow ZBT brothers conducted a fencing demonstration for children at the West Philadelphia YMCA Friday afternoon. Aiming to expose the crowd of more than 40 youngsters to the world of fencing, Bayer began the afternoon with some basic information on the sport. "You don't swing from chandeliers like in cartoons," Bayer explained to the giggling group. And while showing them his gear, he said, "Bullets couldn't even get through it? I don't even feel it when I get hit." With a mixture of raucous laughter and instruction, Bayer taught the children the fundamentals of fencing and prepared them to watch a live match between himself and women's fencing captain Olivia Leon. Assisted by his ZBT brothers, Bayer and Leon, a College senior, fenced to five points, and after each point stopped to explain their movements and technique. "It looks like an antenna," said 9-year-old Corey Seigler of Bayer's fencing epee. "He's going to get beat up. Girls are more athletic." Max Tucker, a 6-year-old impressed with Bayer and Leon's skills in fencing, added, "It's much more fun than basketball." The children screamed for their favorite fencer as the competition continued. For many of them, this was the first time they had ever heard of the sport, let alone seen a demonstration of it. "It's great exposure to other types of sports," said Howard Tucker, YMCA's senior program and membership director. "These kids will go home much more well-rounded. It shows that this place is for more than just playing hoops." Tucker said that when ZBT brothers called to propose the demonstration, he was more than happy to accommodate their efforts. "Penn could offer this facility so much," he said. "We're looking for cultural, musical, arts groups to come? to show that the YMCA is a place of culture, too." College senior Alan Kessler, who also helped to organize the demonstration, said the event was only one of many community service projects sponsored by the fraternity. "It was an opportunity to bridge the gap between ZBT and the rest of the local community," Kessler noted. "Our commitment to the community is strong." When all was said and done, Bayer won the match against Leon, proving his prowess once again in fencing -- and his popularity with the kids. "It's so easy [working with the children]," Bayer said after the demonstration. "The kids have so much energy."

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