By Emily Labdon ’16, Staff Writer

Number 1 in America, number 2 in the world, George Haglund identifies himself as a fencing ninja, darting fast and quick down the fencing strip.  Racking up trophies and medals for 8 years now, George first started his fencing career by watching fencers at a club next to a restaurant he frequently went to.  Because he fences all around the world, he’s picked up a few skills to help him beat the jet lag, and the competition.  These include sleeping on plane rides, and tuning up with Eminem, Fall Out Boy, and Linkin Park on his playlist.  Instead of protein bars, George prefers a bowl of Asian Noodles the night before a match; sodium and carbs are key for helping him keep up his performance.  Many people wonder where George is headed after Newark Academy; should we watch out for George at the Olympics?  He says, “I think I’m going to go through college and if I’m good enough when I graduate in 2020, just in time for Tokyo, then I’ll go for it.” Although he is basically the Ryan Gosling of fencing, George identifies most with Johnny Depp in

 Pirates of the Caribbean.  But what sport is he actually good at… come on George, second? Before his fencing career, he was a star kindergarten soccer player.

If he had to challenge one teacher at NA to a duel he would pick Mr. Hawk, claiming he would love to see him all geared up in a fencing uniform. To this, Mr. Hawk says,

“George Haglund has often expressed admiration for my fencing skills, which I can completely understand.  So would I accept George’s challenge? I am torn. Here at The Academy we always try to put the best interests of the child first. George might win, but the consequences for him should he lose would be significant. Currently he is doing quite well in competitions. I would hate to shake his confidence.”

Because of George’s impressive achievements and athletic allure he’s become quite the ladies’ man. “George got silver at worlds? Eh, I guess he’s cool,” commented Rebecca Mandelbaum ’16.

Now that you’re aware of his fencing powers, be careful. If you cross him, just know what you’re going to be up against!