For five years freshman Arthur Andreev has enjoyed the mental and athletic challenges of fencing, and he is determined to continue competing in the years to come.

Andreev fences with the heaviest fencing sword, an épée, and trains in Concord with five-time Olympic fencer Michael Marx and one of the highest-ranked men’s épéeists in America, Adam Maczik.

“When I was in third grade, I really liked knights… and then I decided to try out fencing, and I didn’t really like it, but then after a few years I went back to it, and then I continued to fence to this day,” Andreev said.

Fencing involves a lot of quick thinking, which Andreev enjoys.

“You have to really think about everything your opponent is doing and how to counteract that,” Andreev said.

Andreev believes that fencing has helped him in everyday life.

“The mind games behind it help me think more analytically about different things that come up in normal life or other subjects,” Andreev said.

Andreev has been adjusting to the dedication required by his new club, which he practices at on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and some Mondays.

“[Balancing fencing and being a student] wasn’t hard before, but now at this club, it is, because it’s in Concord,” Andreev said. “Typically, I leave my house around 5:30 p.m., and I’ll get home at 9:30 p.m., so any homework has to be done before or after, in addition to all other extracurricular stuff.”

Andreev doesn’t often talk about fencing. Even his friend and fellow freshman, Matt Bogdanski doesn’t know much about his fencing experiences.

“He was third-ranked in the country last time he went to a competition; that’s all I know,” Bogdanski said.

Nevertheless, all the time and work that Andreev has put in paid off during a national competition.

“In 2013, I won third place at the North American Cup [which] was a real achievement for me,” Andreev said. “I wasn’t expecting anything. There were a ton of kids who showed up to fence, and I somehow got third place. It was a really good showing of all the effort I put in.”