WFencing is pleased to announce our lead coaches for the 2026 WFencing Colloquium for Coaches and Athletes. Welcome coaches Carissa Hammonds (epee), Sabrina Shapiro (foil), Jennifer Oldham (saber), and Jeff Kallio (parafencing).

The Colloquium provides a collaborative environment where instructors exchange methodologies, pedagogical techniques, and strategies for elevating every tier of competitive sport fencing. Our curriculum spans collective drills, private instruction, and organizational leadership, emphasizing inclusive club culture and effective management. Participating athletes learn alongside coaches and benefit from shared and diverse expertise.

Carissa Hammonds - EPEE

Coach Carissa participated in the first WFencing Colloquium in 2022 and went on to become a Prevot in Epee and founder of Fates Fencing Academy where she is the head coach. She stated her coaching career as a swim coach at her local YMCA and used her college club fencing experience to grow a YMCA beginner fencing class into her accomplishments today. Coach Carissa is also currently working on an Exercise Science degree with Strength and Conditioning as her concentration. She specializes in a holistic, individual approach to teaching.

Sabrina Shapiro - FOIL

With a Masters Degree in Sports and Performance psychology, Coach Sabrina is a Certified Mental Performance Specialist® with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, and a fencing coach. She began fencing as a youth at DC Fencers, and was also student of Coach Nat Goodhartz and went on to fence NCAA Division 1 for Temple University with Coach Nikke Franke.  She has coached fencing for over a decade in the Los Angeles area. Coach Sabrina was a presenter for the WFencing panel “Building Healthier Athletes (Youth and Adult), Coaches & Parents” at the 2026 USA Fencing Summer National Championships. 

Jennifer Oldham - SABER

Coach Jen is a leader in advancing collaboration, accountability, and excellence within the USA Fencing community. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jen earned a master's degree in Counseling Psychology while competing internationally. Coach Jen is a founding member of USA Fencing's first Coaches Committee, a USA Fencing Coach Mentor, and an accredited three-weapon Fencing Master through both the United States Fencing Coaches Association and the Académie d'Armes Internationale. She is the founder of Forge Fencing (formerly Mid-South Fencers' Club) and has spent more than 20 years developing athletes from beginner to elite levels, coaching NCAA varsity programs, national teams, and North Carolina fencers who have gone on to compete on the world stage.

Jeff Kallio - PARA

Coach Jeff began fencing at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte fencing club and continued his fencing career as a coach.  He currently is Club Manager & Director of High Performance Program at Forge Fencing Academy & Club in Durham, NC.  As well as coaching saber, foil and epee, parafencing and able-bodied in each, he also trains other coaches as a Coach Developer. He is an accredited Master d’ Sabre with the United States Fencing Coaches Association and the Academie d’Armes Internationale.  Coach Jeff will be the mentor for parafencing and for anyone who wants to get USFCA coaching certifications.

This year’s WFencing Colloquium for Coaches and Athletes is being hosted at the Forge Fencing Academy & Club located in Durham, NC, Friday evening through Sunday afternoon of Labor Day weekend, September 4-6th.  In addition, on Labor Day Monday, September 7th, the first WFencing Women’s Open will be held, also at Forge.  There is still time to register for each!  Click of the title of each event to register today!