Title: Rob Charlton on Why NCAA Fencing Is Within Your Reach
Season 2, Episode 20
In this episode, Bryan talks with Rob Charlton — head coach of Wellesley College and a club coach at Five Points Fencing Academy — about why many more fencers are “good enough” to fence in college than they realize, and how to navigate the NCAA landscape without getting overwhelmed.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The most common misconception Rob hears: “Am I good enough?” — and why the answer is often yes
- Why there’s no universal “cut line” for NCAA fencing (and why it depends on the school, weapon and year)
- How coaches build rosters across four years — and how study abroad, injuries and attrition affect recruiting needs
- What Division I vs. Division III can look like in training time, travel and season structure
- How athletic scholarships actually work (and why Division III schools can’t offer them)
- The value of looking at the full financial picture: merit aid, need-based aid and total cost
- The walk-on/tryout path — and why Rob still recommends engaging the recruiting process early
- Key recruiting rules for Division III: when coaches can meet prospects in person and on campus
- What makes a strong first email to a college coach (and what reads as generic/copy-paste)
- How college coaches structure Summer Nationals: meetings, rules around competition days, and what they’re reallywatching for
- Why the new NCAA Women’s Fencing Championship is meaningful for women’s-only programs
Find First to 15 on our YouTube channel, too!
--
First to 15: The Official Podcast of USA Fencing
Host: Bryan Wendell
Cover art: Manna Creations
Theme music: Brian Sanyshyn
