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Otra Olver, 20 and Michael Botenhagen,
36, members of The Fencing Center of San Jose, have qualified
for the Grand duel McAuslan-Griffon - Grand Prix FIE Epee
World Cup tournament in Montreal March 22-23, 2002. Both
are strong epee fencers who are coached by Alexandr Maximovich,
former Assistant Head Foil Coach for the USSR National
Team. Olver and Botenhagen placed well in local and national
competitions to qualify for this World Cup event.
Olver, a San Jose resident, started
fencing in the LA area 6 years ago when his mom signed
him up for fencing lessons. He and his friend rode their
bikes to the Y where fencing was offered. He had to
choose two activities from Boy Scouts, karate, and fencing.
Olver decided fencing and Boy Scouts were most important
to him at that time. Olver still fences and competes
actively while attending Foothill College. He also continues
his involvement with Boys Scouts as camp counselor during
the summers.
Olver plans to attend San Jose State
in the Fall and study education. "I want to be
a middele school teacher," Olver said.
Botenhagen began fencing in the spring
quarter of 1985 at Humboldt State University. He took
a class and fell head over heels in love with the sport,
so much so in fact, that he bought all electric equipment
the following semester so he could actively compete.
When asked why he fences, Botenhagen
said, "It's a good measuring stick about my life.
It keeps me active and healthy, and I can never learn
it all."
Asgard Fencers, Inc. is a non-profit
charitable foundation doing business as The Fencing
Center of San Jose (TFC). Founded in 1981, TFC has supported
fencing in local, regional, national, and international
arenas for many years. For more information about fencing,
the many new programs being offered and the new Elite
Development Program, and how you can participate or
support our efforts, please visit our website at http://www.fencing.com,
stop by our salle at 110 Stockton Ave., San Jose, CA
or call us at 408-298-8230. We are open Monday through
Friday 4-10pm.
Contact Judy Cziprian
Judy@fencing.com
408-393-3292
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