“En garde … ready … fence!” Lunge forward, step back, spring forward again. Eleni Staikos ’22 performs a complicated footwork sequence as she sizes up her opponent. She takes a deep breath, steadying her hand and her nerves. Using a combination of dynamic technique and quick thinking, Staikos conducts an extremely methodicical attack. Her strategy is to always strike first, forcing her opponent to defend. While watching her, it is easy to see her love and dedication to the sport.

Staikos began fencing when she was 12 after watching her cousins compete in matches. Her initial interest in fencing was also sparked by her imagination as a young child of what fencers were like. Books and movies depicted fencers as strong and powerful people. As a self-described introvert, that is exactly who she wanted to be.

“I read a lot. Every time I think of fencing, I just have this image of a warrior princess in my head,” Staikos said. Although she competes and is successful in several other sports, she admits fencing was her first love.

“I horseback ride and do [modern] pentathlons, which include fencing, swimming, running, and other events. I also ran cross country. But fencing was the first sport I tried,” Staikos said.

This multi-sport background has definitely helped with her fencing. From riding, Staikos gained a better center of gravity and awareness. Through running, she attained the cardiovascular strength needed for long fencing bouts. Staikos is very accomplished in the sport. She has competed at regional meets with the PHS Fencing Team and placed first in individual foil events at high school district meets.

“She’s had great successes and huge goals, like placing at the elite Cetrulo-Santelli event … one of New Jersey’s biggest fencing events. She’s been a leader since she came on the team and her ability to win for the team really supports that,” said PHS Head Fencing Coach Sam Blanchard. In the future, Staikos plans on accomplishing more with the fencing team.

“We have our eyes on at least taking regionals as a team. Placing as an individual in my event would also be nice, but I’d really like to make it out as a team this year. We have the capacity to improve because now the foil girls team is mostly upperclassmen,” Staikos said.

Now, she looks forward to leading the fencing team as girls foil captain this year and making connections with underclassmen. Although official practice has not started, the team has already begun to form friendships through bonding events.

“Eleni is positive and always communicates with everyone on the team. She’s made me very excited about the upcoming season,” said teammate Wendy Jin ’25.

Looking forward to fencing for a college team or club, Eleni knows she wants to continue competing at the next level.