Coaches

James Faine, Head Coach and Founder

Coach James Faine has been involved in fencing and various martial arts for over 25 years. Specializing in epee, he is a three-weapon fencer and is nationally rated in all three weapons. He is also a respected armourer, a long serving USFA Division Officer and a nationally rated referee in all weapons. Coach Faine’s students have gone on to become Collegiate, SAC, Division and National Champions, points list members, and national medalists. Some have also gone on to become respected coaches in their own right with USFA member clubs or heading collegiate programs.

Ken Fales, Coach

Coach Fales begin fencing in college with the Michigan Tech Team.  With over 8 years of fencing and coaching experience, Coach Fales is a three-weapon fencer and is nationally rated in all three weapons.  He is also and active competitor with numerous USFA medals to his credit and a nationally rated referee.  Coach Fales is available for private lessons and runs our Wednesday Intermediate and Thursday Beginners classes in addition to our Saber Sunday classes.

Dorothy Carney, Coach

Coach Carney fenced at the University of Notre Dame, where she was captain of the women’s fencing team.  She spent a year as assistant coach at Notre Dame.  A five-time national finalist, she has been coaching for eight years. She is currently on the Veterans Women’s Foil points list.  Coach Carney runs two of our school clubs, and is available for private lessons.

Joseph Shea-Hackett, Coach

Joseph has been with CFA over 7 years, culminating with his fencing with the Ohio State Team, one of the top fencing schools in the NCAA.  He is a three-weapon fencer specializing in epee.  With over five years of experience, Coach Shea-Hackett is a several time Junior Olympian and has many USFA medals and several Division Championships to his credit.  Coach Shea-Hackett runs our Thursday epee class as well as assisting in other classes and is available for private lessons.

Nick Deschenes, Assistant Coach

Nick has been with CFA for over 6 years and is an epee specialist.  After going away to college he became an officer and team member for the William and Mary epee team, which went on to a 2^nd place national finish.  Nick is also a former Junior Olympian and has numerous USFA medals to his credit.  Nick is also a rated referee in all three weapons.  He will be assisting us with our summer camps and other classes as needed.

Alex Ince, Assistant Coach

Alex has been with the club for over 5 years.  He is currently the captain for the Virginia Tech epee team in addition to one of their coaches.  Alex is the current Virginia Division Men’s Epee Champion and was a silver medalist in this year’s SAC Fencing Championships.  Alex will be assisting with our summer camps and other classes as needed.

Emily Lien, Assistant Coach

Emily has been with the club for over four years and specializes in epee. She has numerous USFA wins to her credit, is the current Division Junior Women’s Epee Champion and a Junior Olympian. Emily assists with the Home School classes and our summer camps.

Sophie Caplin, Assistant Coach

Sophie has been with the club for over five years and is another epee specialist.  Sophie has numerous USFA wins to her credit, is a several time Junior Olympian and a National Medalist.  Sophie is also a rated referee for foil and epee.  Sophie assists with the summer camps and various classes as needed.