Sabre fencer Scott Bowman had a big weekend with the fencing team at the OUA Championships in Ottawa. He helped lead the men’s team to bronze, helped the sabre team to silver and captured an individual gold in the men’s sabre event.
For his performance he won the George Tully Trophy, awarded to the male fencer most proficient in skill, style and sportsmanship. Bowman shared the award with Carleton’s Mike Ivancovic.
Bowman started fencing in his first year of university.
“A guy in my frosh group signed up and I decided it would be fun to try and I guess it stuck after the first few practices,” he said.
Bowman said playing a lesser-known varsity sport has often led to him to be at the butt of jokes.
“It definitely doesn’t have the same status as football or soccer or anything,” he said. “The more people doing it after recruiting drives, the more of Queen’s campus knows about us. “
A biochemistry major, Bowman said balancing work, athletics and active intramural participation fills his schedule.
“We practice four times a week for two-and-a-half hours and especially in third and fourth year with labs it’s kind of a pain,” he said. “It’s even harder on tournament weekends because we’re gone for a few days and don’t get work done so we play big catch-up on Monday and Tuesdays.”
Bowman said his parents come out to tournaments when they’re close to his hometown of Milton, Ont., but they’re still learning the sport.
“If [tournaments are] at Brock or U of T or McMaster they’ll come see me,” he said. “They’re just as out of the loop on fencing as the average person so they don’t really know what it’s all about. They definitely want me focusing on the academics though, that’s for sure.”
Even with the great time constraints, Bowman said he’ll continue doing fencing.
“It’s a great time. I guess that’s why it stuck,” he said. “To be honest I don’t know what made me keep it up after those first practices, I guess it just was so much fun and you can’t stop. I don’t think I miss a single practice if I can, because it’s a good way to end off a day.”
1. Who controls the music in the dressing room?
Our head coach does, Dr. Munby.
2. What reality show do you most want to go on?
I don’t even know, I don’t even watch reality TV. I see these things kicking around I don’t know which one. There was one I was watching that was pretty cool, I don’t know what it was called but it was sponsored by UnderArmour.
3. Team’s favourite movie to watch on the bus?
We always watch new releases. A lot of times we’ll watch stuff with swords in it, like The Three Musketeers or By The Sword.
4. Ovechkin or Crosby?
I have to admit I’ve always liked Ovechkin’s play style.
5. Who’s winning Olympic gold in men’s hockey?
Damn right, Canada.
6. Favorite comedian?
That’s a tough one… I do like Russell Peters. I went to see him at the ACC and he was pretty funny.
7. What did you think of Avatar?
I’ve been meaning to see it but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
8. Best late-night food spot in Kingston?
That’s tricky. I live right next to Pizza Pizza.
9. Sport you most want to try?
It’s funny you’re asking a fencer that; most people would say fencing. I can’t skate so it would be nice to play ice hockey.
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