Between practices, tournaments, and schoolwork, senior Sierra Springer’s schedule is nothing but easy. Yet through years of commitment and perseverance, she earned her spot on the Harvard University fencing team.
Springer began her athletic journey at nine years old, trying fencing at her summer camp, which quickly led to discovering a passion that she wanted to pursue. Despite the time commitment and travel required, she continued training throughout middle school and high school.
Balancing academics with a demanding schedule has been a constant challenge; however, Springer said that she has learned a lot from fencing and about the importance of hard work and dedication.
“I think the main thing is perseverance. If you keep training, you’re going to get better,” Springer said. “You might not see the results right away, but if you put the work into something, you will improve.”
According to Springer, motivation has also come from her teammates and training partners. Although the sport is often considered individual, Springer said her teammates and training partners have played a crucial role in keeping her driven. Team events and shared practices have become some of her most memorable experiences.
Senior Grey Nguyen, Springer’s teammate at the LEO Fencing Club, said Springer’s attitude towards the sport can be uplifting and often helps her persevere through practices and pressured moments.
“She sets a really good example because she is so hard-working and so dedicated all the time,” Nguyen said. “She never judges you for anything, even if you’re struggling with something she finds easy.”
Springer’s coach at the club, Julian Rueda, said watching her compete under pressure and manage her time has left a strong impression on him and sets her apart from others.
“High-performance athletes, not only in fencing, have to always perform under pressure; that’s why they often stand out in professional and academic environments,” Rueda said.
When facing difficult losses or disappointing performances, Rueda said that Springer’s ability to reflect and respond has been important to her improvement. Looking ahead to college competition, Rueda said that her discipline and mental strength will allow Springer to quickly adapt to NCAA Division I fencing.
Ultimately, Springer said she chose Harvard because of its team culture, coaching staff, academic environment, and proximity to home.
“I really like the community of the team, everyone is super motivated [and] they all want to train,” Springer said.
As she prepares for the next chapter of her fencing career, Springer said she is excited to continue challenging herself academically and athletically.
“Everyone at the school has something that they’re super good at,” Springer said. “I think it’s really interesting to interact with people who are very talented.”
