The Marquette branch of the Classical Fencing Society hosted a tournament at Marquette Gym Saturday, welcoming other clubs from across the country.

Although spectators were few, the numbers of competitors from Saint Louis, New York, Illinois, Missouri and Washington made the event a success.

According to club president Catherine Hutchins, Marquette fencers did not place in the senior tournament.

David Winn and Caleb True from Saint Louis finished first and third in points, respectively. Placing second was Kim Moser, who hails from Florida but is affiliated with a New York fencing group.

A junior-form tournament kicked off the event, allowing five beginners to be judged on fencing technique. The majority of the event featured the senior tournament, where fencers with one or more years of experience faced each other. A total of seven rounds were conducted, including two for re-entry and one direct-elimination round to determine the top three fencers.

Few Marquette students are aware that the school has a fencing organization, and even fewer know exactly what fencing is.

Fencing is simply using a sword to defend oneself. Three common weapons are used in fencing: the foil, the epee and the saber. The CFS employs the foil, a thin and flexible sword.

Classical fencing is derived from the martial art of self-defense developed during the Classical Age. According to instructor Alexis La Joie, it stresses the idea of "touch without being touched."

A former student of CFS Provost David Achilleus, at Saint Louis, La Joie started Marquette's fencing branch in 2000. La Joie calls classical fencing an "artistic endeavor."

"It's important to be technically good," La Joie said. "But it's also important to have a spiritual appreciation for the sport."

When a fencer maintains balance and control, fencing is a strategic art form that resembles a dance or debate. A touch anywhere on the torso counts as a legal hit. Points are awarded against a fencer if he is hit by his opponent, so a low score is favorable. Each tournament bout is over once a competitor has three touches.

Despite its obscurity, La Joie believes fencing is constantly gaining popularity. He and his instructor, Achilleus, also realize the value in fencing.

"The skills that they learn will be everything they need to survive a duel," Achilleus said.