Fencer Spotlight – Whitman Craig

I first started fencing in 2002, in Hattiesburg Mississippi, when I was 9 years old. When I moved back to Corvallis, Oregon in 2005, I wanted to continue fencing so much that I took a 45 minute drive once a week to a fencing club in Eugene. During this time, I actually participated in some NWFC tournaments. Then I took a 15 year break before joining NWFC in 2021, a five minute drive from my job at the time. The game changed a lot during my hiatus, to say the least, but getting back into fencing has been a very rewarding experience.

People often guess that my namesake is Walt Whitman but are surprised to learn that all my siblings are named after transcendental authors, i.e. Emerson and Thoreau. While trying to ignore the pressure of that literary name scheme, I try to make time for creative hobbies like writing and drawing. I’ve had illustrations published in a few literary magazines and designed the logo for the family beer-cart business. I currently work as a nonprofit consultant and I’m glad that I’m able to contribute to the success of NWFC by offering my skills as a grant writer.

My goals in fencing are for community and self-improvement. Sometimes fencing feels like a very siloed experience, because everyone is on their own personal journey toward becoming the best fencer they can be. But working towards that common goal with other people is very motivating and you end up rooting for the growth of your peers because it makes you a better fencer in turn. I like competing locally and I’m excited that Summer Nationals are going to be held in Portland this coming year, so preparing to participate in that is the current goal on the horizon for me.