Ben Van Son
Rochester, NY
Has competed in national and international fencing competitions, and was a fencing coach at the University of Rochester.
Van Son started fencing at age nine, training at the Rochester Fencing Center which has a long history of producing high level fencers, including four Olympians. He competed nationally for five years, and internationally for three, traveling to England, Spain, France, Germany, Austria, and Slovakia for matches.
During his junior year of high school, Van Son was asked to help coach the club team at the University of Rochester. He was an assistant coach, and then shared head-coaching responsibilities for about a year. On coaching college students while still in high school, Van Son says, “I was concerned about the age difference. However, the students were very respectful. It was a great working relationship and I was able to provide them with my knowledge while learning how to be a better coach.”
Van Son is currently on the varsity fencing team at Haverford.