By Jacqueline Liao

Junior Macy Meng knew from a young age that she was interested in sports–she just didn’t know which one. She tried ballet at first but decided to switch when she wasn’t satisfied. She tried martial arts and kung-fu next, but injuries stopped her from competing in the long run. One day, she looked online for sports clubs available in her region and found the North Shore Fencers Club, a sports club in Great Neck dedicated to training fencers. “I started my journey there, and I’ve been hooked ever since!” Meng said.
Meng’s training regimen now consists of practicing at the Fencers Club in Manhattan from Monday through Friday for a couple hours a day or running at home when she is unable to commute to the city.
The hard work has certainly paid off for Meng. She has had many impressive fencing feats; she was selected for the 2014 All-County team, was the runner-up at the 2015 Nassau County Individual Fencing Championships in girls epee, was named to the 2015 All-Long Island girls fencing second team, won the Brentwood Holiday Invitational this past December, and was also the winner at the 2016 Nassau County Individual Fencing Championships in girls epee. She only recorded one loss last season. Yet she lists being part of South’s fencing team for the past three years as her proudest achievement. “Especially this year, since the girls are both division and conference champs, and we’re shooting for county champs,” Meng added. “I’m really proud of us; we’ve come so far.”
For Meng, the most enjoyable part of fencing is competing. “[The best part is] when you get a really nice touch [when the tip of a fencer’s weapon touches the target area of an opponent] that you’ve really thought out,” Meng said. “The satisfaction that you get is extremely intense and validates the entire training you push yourself to endure through. It’s a great feeling.”
Besides fencing, Meng enjoys doing science research and reading. “Sleeping and eating food is awesome, too,” she added. Although she has already accomplished a lot, Meng still has goals she would like to achieve next year, her final year fencing for South. “I hope next year I can be undefeated and end the team season with the girls as county champs. Winning county champs individually next year would be awesome, too!”