En garde! Augustana fencer competes in the Junior Olympics

Bryson Robinson-Levant is ready to advance and attack this weekend on a national stage. The first-year Augustana student is in Salt Lake City competing in the USA Fencing – Junior Olympic Championships.

His goal? To qualify for the Junior and Cadet World Championships, which will take place in April nearly halfway around the world in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Robinson-Levant has been fencing for five years, and this is his first Junior Olympics tournament. “I’m excited to gain the experience from the different levels of fencing that I’ll encounter, while pushing myself to go beyond,” he said.

The men’s foil captain at Homewood-Flossmoor High School for two years, Robinson-Levant said fencing has made him more responsible, and ignited a curiosity to learn and become a future teacher. A music education major, he wants to become an orchestra teacher. He has played the viola since he was 4 years old.

“As a captain for the fencing team, I learned how to balance working on my craft, while also helping my teammates learn theirs,” he said. “Being an educator in music goes hand-in-hand with being a captain. I balance fencing and being a student by giving both their respectable time and relating each to one another.” 

For the record, the Junior Olympics isn’t affiliated with the Olympic Games. The U.S. Fencing Association is the governing body of the North American fencing, and the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE) is the international governing body of fencing. All sports competing at the Olympics have their own governing bodies, and their own rules/qualification paths to the Games.

That said, a good showing at the Junior Olympics will certainly boost Robinson-Levant’s standing in the fencing world.

“Augustana students like Bryson inspire us all to follow our dreams,” said Dr. Laura Schnack, associate dean of students at Augustana. “We’ll certainly be cheering for him from here in Rock Island, as he competes at such a high level.”

Fans can stream the events and follow live results at the USA Fencing – Junior Olympic Championships at the Salt Palace Convention Center, running through Feb. 21.