Meet Coach Michael Botenhagen
Epee Coach
Bay Area Fencing Club is proud to feature Coach Michael Botenhagen, an elite-level mentor who brings over 40 years of fencing experience and more than two decades of dedicated coaching expertise. Combining a distinguished competitive background with high-level academic science, Coach Michael is committed to developing well-rounded, high-performing athletes.
A Legacy of Elite Competition
Coach Michael's extensive athletic career spans over three decades of competing at the highest levels of the sport:
- Regional & State Dominance: Earned multiple silver medals at the Pacific Coast Championships (1997, 1999, 2001) and captured a silver medal at the 1997 California State Games.
- International Experience: Represented top-tier fencing on the world stage at the 2002 Grand Prix World Cup.
Coaching Pedigree & Philosophy
Holding the prestigious titles of Maestro d'Escrime Épée and Moniteur d'Armes through the United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) and the Académie d'Armes Internationale (AAI), Coach Michael's instructional style centers on:
Proven Athlete Progression
Guiding students to medal-winning performances at International, National, and Regional tournaments.
Elite Collegiate Pipeline
Preparing fencers for recruitment into world-class NCAA programs, with former students competing for institutions like Stanford, MIT, UPenn, Dartmouth, UC Berkeley, and UCLA.
Sports Science Integration
Applying a scientific approach to movement, physical conditioning, and long-term athletic development.
Academic & Technical Distinction
Coach Michael's technical education bridges the physical sciences with analytical precision, giving his athletes a unique edge on the strip. His educational background includes:
- Master of Science (M.S.) in Coaching and Exercise Science.
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Industrial Technology, Electronics Engineering.
"Fencing is a dynamic blend of physical intuition, strategic intellect, and refined athletic mechanics. My mission is to use both sport science and classic technique to help fencers unlock their highest potential on and off the strip."— Coach Michael Botenhagen