University Daily Kansan
Fencing Classes Learn Three-way Swordplay
By Gary Settle
When two duelists meet at sunrise and say to each other: "Choose your weapon" they have a choice of three different types of swords. Each type of sword has its accompanying set of rules for proper fencing conduct.
The three swords are called epee, foil, and saber. The techniques for using each one properly are taught in fencing classes by Richard Laptad, assistant instructor of physical education.
Naturally, disputes could frequently arise over whether or not an actual touch was made. To avoid this in match play, epes are used with special electrical tips.
The epee is a sturdy sword with a wedge-shaped blade. The object of epee play is for a fencer to touch any part of his opponent's body with the tip of his sword.
A spring contact on the tip of the epee causes an electric impulse when ever it touches anything. A wire runs the length of the blade to the player's glove, up through his sleeve and out the back of his jacket to a scoring device. The electric impulse causes a buzzer to buzz, and a light to flash for the fencer who scores a touch.
The foil is a lightweight,flexible
sword with a rectangular cross section.
The target area in foil play is limited to the torso. Touches made on the arms, legs or head do not count.
In foil play, before scoring a touch the attacker should extend his sword arm toward his opponent as a signal of attack; then he is granted "right of way." This means that both players cannot begin an attack lunge at the same time. An attacked person must first parry the attacker's lunge before he may gain right of way for his own counterattack.
Five touches constitute a match.
The saber is used for slashing as well as penetrating. The cross section of a saber is T-shaped, and it is a little heavier sword than a foil.
The target area in saber play includes all of the body above the waist. It is not necessary to determine right of way before scoring a touch.
Five touches also determine a winner in saber play.
Mr. Lantad said tall fencers usually are better at epee, and short, quick men are usually better at foil.
"But there are exceptions," he said. "It really depends upon the individual player."
Coach Bill Easton's track men will be going into the 1959 Kansas Relays with record holders in four events.
Track Men Start Relays With Four Record Holders
Charles Tidwell, Independence sophomore, shares the Big Eight record for the 60-yard dash at :60.1 and the 60-yard low hurdles at :66.7. These are also national records.
Cliff Cushman, Grand Forks, N.D. sophomore, holds the record for the 1,000- yard run with a time of 2:11.6.
The foursome of Tidwell, Bob Covey, Cushman and Bob Lida hold the record in the mile relay with 3:18.7. Both Cushman's record and the mile relay mark were set in the Big Eight Indoor at Kansas City.
The Javhawker team lost a number of Relay record-holders last year, including Don Greenlee, Dale Lubs and Jerry McNeal in the four-mile relay and Al Oerter in the discus and shot put.
In spite of this, however, Coach Easton says the team this year has more depth than it has for some time.
More Denth Seen
The impressive list of past records which have been set by Kansas men and the possibility of some upcoming stars have put Easton in an optimistic frame of mind.
Other returning aces include Ernie Shelby, Los Angeles senior, who missed the world's broad-jump record by less than a foot at the Texas Relays last year.
Bill Alley, a transfer student from Syracuse, N.Y., with a past recore of 246 feet-plus, will be throwing the javelin along with John Book, Kansas City, Kan., junior, the defending Big Eight champion with a record of 215-feet $ \frac{1}{2} $ inch, and Jim Londerholm, Mission senior.
Tillman 120 Ace
Bill Tillman, Clay Center senior, will be the returning ace in the 120-yard high hurdles. Tillman has been a hurdle place winner in the Big Eight for the last three seasons.
Joining these aces will be a sophomore trio of Paul Williams, Cleveland, Ohio; Bob Okerstrom, Mason City, Iowa, and Darwin Ashbaugh, Ellis.
Williams ran the 100-yard dash in :09.4 in military service and set a new conference freshman record of :09.5 last year.
Last May he set a new national freshman record of :20.5 in the 220 and shared first place in the freshman 60 at :60.3. Williams will also participate in the broad jump.
Okerstrom, a 6-5, 200-pounder.
DUCK'S For SEA FOOD 824 Vt.
won the freshman indoor high hurdles last winter with a time of .07.6. This past season he won the same event indoors at .07.0.
Promising quartermilers are Bob Lida and Bob Covey. Lida, Prairie Village senior, holds the school record of 49.5 which he established at the Big Eight Indoor meet.
Covey Freshman Star
Covey, Ames, Ia., sophomore, won both league freshman titles last year at :50.4 and :48.4, then ran ninth in the NAAU field in :47.8.
Other probable placers are: Bill Drer, shot; Jack Stevens, pault vault; jerry Foos, discus; Paul Williams, sprints, and Bob Cannon, outdoor high jump monarch.
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