As Seen in the

Three local members of the Coastal Carolina Fencing Association (CCFA) traveled to Wilmington, N.C., on Saturday, May 12, to compete and ended up dominating the foil fencing competition.

Mark Scott, an area businessman and coach of the Coastal Carolina Fencing Association, took first place in the competition; Rod Brown finished second and Aaron Gruber, a student at Waccamaw High School, who was one of the youngest competitors finished third.

“Three of us traveled to this tournament to compete against other foil fencers from North Carolina,” said Gruber. “It felt great for us to sweep the top three honors, while having a good time in the process.”

Scott, who founded the local fencing association, also earned first place in the SC Division II Foil Fencing Tournament in Columbia on April 28. Scott has been the top ranked fencer in South Carolina two years in a row. He also qualified to participate in the US Nationals in Miami later this summer.

Aaron was also increased in rank to a US Fencing Association D2007. In the USA Fencing Association, South Carolina Division there are 247 registered members. One B-, five C- and 12 D-ranked fencers. Everyone else is E or unranked. At present Mr. Scott is ranked 1 in the state as the one B was in 2006. His C was earned in 2007. Aaron's D07 ranking is in line with seven other fencers that have D07 rankings. That puts him in the top 15 in the state.

The CCFA meets each Tuesday and Wednesday nights at the YMCA in Myrtle Beach.