Two opponents stand apart from each other searching for an opening.

The two clash, looking for an advantage with both their weapons and their minds.

This is a common scene at the ISU Fencing Club, one of few clubs on campus that use weapons.

“You have to lure your opponent into misjudging you by varying your lunge distance,” said ISU Fencing Club treasurer Philip Haubrich.

“I love to draw out my opponent, making them do certain actions or motions that I am prepared for. And after all the complicated stuff gets old, a fast direct attack works well.”

As a senior, Kelly Wear is in her first year as a member. She said she knows what it takes to be successful.

“It’s a lot of quick reactions, how to adjust and relax and make it better,” Wear said. “I have to know what mistakes I am making and change them, what the opponent is doing.”

The ISU Fencing Club has three weapons of choice: the foil, epee and saber.

The foil, a lighter sword, and epee, heavier and stiffer, are thrusting weapons; the saber is mostly a slashing weapon.

“The foil is a learning weapon; it’s light and fast. As a sport, it stresses mind games and being fast on your feet,” Haubrich said.

“The epee is more of a ‘thug’s’ weapon — anything goes. It’s a heavier, stiffer weapon, so the entire body is a valid target, even the hand.”

“The saber is crap. Two people just shoot and charge at each other, and they continue until one loses consciousness,” he said.

In all of the styles, the competitor wears a vest and a mask. Scoring is awarded electronically by a sensor in the vest when the weapon successfully strikes it.

On March 5 at the Minnesota Open in Minneapolis, Lauren Quast finished seventh at Division 2 North America Cup in the epee and eleventh in the foil.

At the Icicle Open in Lincoln, Neb., Haubrich and Quast each placed high with a ‘D’ rating.

Quast is second in the Heartland Fencing Circuit while club president Constantine Krotcov is in third.

Two-year club member Jessica Walter said she prefers to partake in epee competitions, though most fencers begin by learning the foil.

“Foil is the traditional way to start,” Walter said.

“I picked up epee along the way because I tend to fence defensively.

“One strategy in epee is getting your opponent to come after you and stabbing them before they can get to you.”

Fencing is a good way to exercise the body and mind, Haubrich said, and aside from the great workout it also helps with dexterity.

Although workouts are tough, fencing would not help in a street fight.

“Unless you walk around with a sword, it would not be useful at all,” Haubrich said.

“Boxing, wrestling and knife fighting are completely different. Any schmuck with a gun … is dangerous. Fencing is a sport.”