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Sports

Fencing coach inspires community

By Jeff Williams
The Daily Cougar

Houston's Fencing Club has a new coach with Olympic experience who's active in motivating those in his community.

Not only does he coach here at UH, but Akhnaten "Akhi" Spencer-El also has two area locations for his nonprofit fencing organization, Young Elites of Houston, to help underprivileged kids. 

The Harlem-born Spencer-El started fencing at the age of twelve. Six-time Olympian Peter Westbrook, who has a nonprofit organization of his own, coached him.

"He asked me to come down because he needed more kids," Spencer-El said. "I was kind of turned off a little."

However, Westbrook's nonprofit fencing club left an impression on the new UH fencing coach.

Spencer-El's goal in his organization is to make the youth well-rounded individuals. With one station at the Blue Triangle Multicultural Center of the 3rd Ward area and the other in the 5th Ward area, Spencer-El is trying to make an impact on inner-city children and broaden their horizons. He wants to give the kids what was given to him under the supervision of Westbrook during his youth. 

Spencer-El was the first American to be ranked No. 1 in the world for the junior division of fencing. This led him to compete in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. After taking fourth in the Olympics, Spencer-El decided to start his organization, and began coaching the UH Fencing Club. 

Spencer-El comes to UH on Tuesdays for club practice. 

"He's great," senior Lucia Benabentos said. "He teaches a lot of good footwork." 

"He definitely works us harder than we used to," freshman Benjamin Dickson said. "His resume is impressive and he is a pretty nice guy."

Members of the club seem to look forward to the direction Spencer-El will take.

"I'm very excited and look forward to his improvements (to our club)," communication senior Matt Cooper said.
 

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