Tim Morehouse joined his school’s fencing club in 7th grade to escape gym class. Years later, he’d be standing on the winners’ platform at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, accepting a silver medal in men’s sabre as part of the US fencing team. But Morehouse isn’t resting on his laurels. Instead, he established the Tim Morehouse Fencing Club to bring his love of fencing to sabre rattlers of all ages.
With a spacious interior bathed in natural light, the Port Chester club opened in September on a majestic hilltop location, walking distance from Metro-North. “We love being here in Westchester,” says Morehouse, whose Manhattan location is understandably smaller. The Riverdale native, who has a master’s degree in education, says it’s a dream come true to merge his passions for teaching and fencing.
Also coaching at the club is fellow Olympian Archil Lortkipanidze, who represented the former Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia in 1996. Between classes, he can be seen sparring with his son, Nickoloz, who is nationally ranked among fencers under 17. Rising star Rainer Dragon, bound for the Junior Olympics this year, coaches youth beginner classes. She’s been fencing for eight years and cites swashbuckling scenes from The Princess Bride as inspiration.
One of Dragon’s students, Coco, chimed in on her way to class: “I love fencing because it’s competitive — but also fun!”
The coaches hand out high-fives as students complete their drills and head out. “The work we do is beyond just fencing,” Morehouse says. “We’re trying to develop these kids as leaders and as people.”
