Coaches
Coach D.C. Moons
Head Coach D.C. Moons began fencing in 1970, studying both foil and epee under the instruction of Ivan Stewart, 1970 Michigan Epee Champion. Coach Moons also took lessons in sabre from fabled NCAA coach Maestro Istvan Danosi, whose international success as a fencer and coach is legendary. D.C. continues to advance his knowledge and skill, with epee lessons from Maestro Gil Pezza and in coaching seminars with Maitre d’ Armes Mark Masters.
Head Coach D.C. Moons also founded the fencing club at Oakland University in 1981, and returned to the club 20 years after graduating to become the head coach for ten years.
He then founded Honor Guards Fencing Club in 2008 and has coached HGFC fencers to the U.S. National Championships in their respective age groups.
Coach Kendal Novak
Sabre coach Kendal Novak began fencing in 2011 as part of The Fencing Society at Oakland University (FSOU), where she fenced competitively in sabre for six years while completing her undergrad and master’s degrees. Kendal fenced under the instruction of D.C. Moons while at OU.
While at OU, she was the captain of the women’s sabre team and became the most decorated fencer in OU’s history, winning more bouts than any fencer before her. She placed 3rd at the 2013 Wayne State Istvan Danosi Memorial tournament, 15th at the 2014 Midwest Fencing Conference Championships, and received an NCAA Honorable Mention in 2015.
Kendal coached sabre for two years at Oakland University post-graduation and has coached sabre at Honor Guards Fencing since 2017. She is passionate about sabre, believes fencing is for everyone, and enjoys helping students achieve their full potential!
Coach Kalin Benson
Coach Benson has been fencing for five years, in both foil and epee, and earned a silver medal in her first tournament.
She currently serves as both the Basic Skills Coach for all the beginning fencers, and she is the club Equipment Manager, making sure that everything is prepared and working properly for every practice.