Jim Krajewski

jkrajewski@rgj.com

The High Desert Fencing Alliance marked the end of an era in July as its coach, Eric Momberg, left the club to become the coach at Northwestern University.

His departure gives Cole Clarkson an opportunity. Clarkson, a six-time national medalist in fencing, grew up competing with the HDFA and is the new coach.

Clarkson said it is odd to be in charge now.

“It certainly is different,” Clarkson said. “I’ve been (fencing) for a while now. I looked up to Eric for so long. At this point it’s almost surreal.”

Clarkson, a Wooster alum, is a six-time National Division I men’s saber fencer. He will attend the University of Nevada, Reno in the fall. School starts Aug. 29 there. He holds a Division I men’s rating in both saber and epee, although saber is his weapon of choice.

“When you’re a coach, you’re never off,” Clarkson said. “That’s one of the things I’ve learned. Before Eric left, we worked together about four months.”

Momberg said Clarkson is a good choice to coach HDFA.

“I firmly believe that Cole has a full understanding of both the method and the spirit of my coaching style and will be able to continue the practices and traditions that have made HDFA a positive and successful environment for kids,” Momberg said in a news release.

Clarkson said there are about 40 active members of the club, which recently left its previous location at Smithridge and is now at a facility on Matley Lane.

Momberg, a Reno native, started coaching in Reno in 2000, then moved to Sacramento.

He returned from a World Cup and wanted to bring high-level competition and instruction to Reno so students would not have to move to pursue their goals in fencing.

In 2005, he opened High Desert Fencing Alliance. Momberg has produced students of all ages who have participated in regional, national and international fencing events in all three disciplines, foil, epee and saber.

“I have enjoyed coaching every one of my athletes, yet most of all I have enjoyed watching them develop as human beings, using what they have learned in fencing and applying it to everyday life,” Momberg said.

In 2012, Momberg and student Eileen Grench missed an Olympic spot by one touch in the gold medal match at the Pan American Zonal Championships.

Diane Hiatt, High Desert Fencing Alliance’s 22-time national medalist, has qualified three times for the Veteran World Championships and became the National Saber Champion in 2015. Hiatt started fencing with Momberg at age 64.

Jacob Behymer-Smith, a six-time National Division I Men’s saber fencer, was Momberg’s first full-time athlete in Reno. He now coaches fencing in Los Angeles.

High Desert Fencing Alliance is primarily a saber and epee club with more than 60 national and nine international medals across all age groups in all three weapons.