Gaby Chau first started fencing competitively four years ago. With dedication and practice, the 2016 graduate of Newtown High School has come a long way, and earned recognition at the collegiate level.

Chau represented Boston College at the Division I Atlantic Coast Conference Fencing Championships at the University of North Carolina campus in Greensboro, N.C., in late February. In the women's individual saber event she defeated the two-time NCAA champion and eventual winner Francesca Russo of Notre Dame on the way to finishing ninth, as Boston College placed fourth as a team. Chau competed in the Northeast Regional championships, at Yale University, on March 12. Chau came in 20th in women's saber.

A sophomore at BC, Chau began fencing when she was a sophomore in high school. Because Newtown High does not have a fencing program, she got involved at the club level and continues to train during the offseason under the direction of coach Dennis Kolakowski. Chau hones her skills at the Phoenix Fencing Center in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., as a part of the Kolakowski Saber Academy.

"He has been one of my greatest supporters, and he would drive a group of us every weekend to some competition or other. Tournaments for women's saber are primarily located in New Jersey because there are a lot of clubs there, but there are also regional and national events all over the United States," Chau said.

Practice and competition varies between club and college fencing. When Chau first developed her fencing abilities she practiced for several hours three or four days each week.

"It included strengthening and conditioning, footwork, blade work, drills, and bouting, all within a short amount of time," Chau said.

In college, Chau practices five days a week for about three hours each session. On two of those days, the team members workout with Strength and Conditioning Coach Brandon Hummer, before going to practice. Fencing is both an individual and team sport in college; Chau and some of her teammates compete in saber, and others in epee and foil.

"Competitions are very intense. Women's saber feels almost personal, and I'm not really sure how to describe it. It's usually called a physical game of chess, but that lacks the intensity and competitiveness of it. I just want to go home feeling proud of myself and my results," Chau said.

And she certainly has had reason feel good about her performances this winter.

"My favorite part of fencing is the competition aspect. I like that it is an individual sport because at the end of the day, it is all about how you perform. You can't say that the team had a bad day or write-off your shortcomings on someone else. All the failure is your own, but so is the success. Ultimately, you are in charge of how well you do," Chau said.