Morris Catholic and Pope John will be co-oping this year to encourage interest at Pope John to create a fencing program. The fencing program is a winter sport and is a commitment to the team from November 21st-March 1st. As a varsity sport we practice 5 days a week with matches during the week and sometimes on Saturdays. Tournaments tend to run on Saturday and Sundays in January and February. For more information, please look at our calendar on this page. Although matches and practice schedules may change up with a week's notice (usually due to inclement weather).

If you have any questions, please direct emails to Michael Malecki at mchsfencing@morriscatholic.org and Mia Gavan at miagavan@popejohn.org

• Fencing is a unique sport that encourages both team cooperation and individual success.

• Morris Catholic's fencing program still boasts that 93% of it's fencers began fencing their Freshman year.

• Access to the largest and most competitive state in high school competition for the sport.

• Colleges love fencing as a distinctive addition to any college application. Whether you are going to fence in college or not.

• You can have been a part of founding a new sport at your school. This opportunity doesn't come around too often.

• YOU GET TO PLAY WITH SWORDS.....WHAT CAN BE COOLER THAN THAT????

• Please contact Coach Malecki at mchsfencing@morriscatholic.org and Mrs. Gavan at miagavan@popejohn.org with your interest

• You need to agree with the following (please share this with your parents)

  • Since this is a Varsity/JV sport, students are expected to practice every day of the week.

  • Practices will be held at Morris Catholic in their cafeteria 5 days a week from 3:30pm - 5:30pm.

  • It is the responsibility of Pope John fencers to secure a ride to Morris Catholic for all practices and home matches.

    • Morris Catholic will provide transportation from MC to matches/tournaments that PJ fencers can use.

    • If time constraints prevent you from reaching Morris Catholic, you may travel directly to the venue, but you must stay with your child until they find the coaches.

  • Pope John fencers who attend private fencing clubs closer to home may have up to two practices at club per week to mitigate travel.

    • Their Private Coach will email me their attendance.

    • Tournaments will be on Saturday and Sundays in the months of January and February.

• Pope John Fencers should purchase spirit wear for competition and practice as part of the uniform. Uniform Socks will be provided.

• Equipment may be borrowed from Morris Catholic with the expectation that it is returned in good condition and are responsible for any damage that may occur.

• Beginning fencers should expect to be developing on JV their first year. Experienced fencers will earn their right to the Varsity Strip. The best fencers compete on Varsity, no matter the school.

• You will be expected to listen to coaches and abide by all safety and etiquette rules.

• The goal of this co-operative movement is to create a stable fencing program at Pope John High School. Both schools are dedicated to this goal.

  • Student's should encourage friends to join the program and parents should encourage it at Pope John functions.

• Morris Catholic will have team bonding sessions, pasta dinners, senior nights and a banquet at the end of the season that are considered joint occasions and will expect families to attend as many as they are able.