Wallingford-Swarthmore Panthers Fencing Club

D.C. Pixie Roane: Head Coach, Owner

D.C. Pixie Roane began her fencing studies in 1985 in New York City at Long Island City High School under the tutelage of Ms. Gladys Eaton. Since then, she has served as a member of the Hunter College Women's Fencing Team, a member of the Empire State Games Fencing Team, and qualifier to the U.S.F.A. nationals in 1988, 1998 thru 2006.

During the years 1993-1997, she was a scholarship athlete at Temple University fencing under US Olympic Team member and Hall of Famer Dr. Nikki Franke. Pixie fenced both foil and epee while fencing for Temple. During those years, she medaled at prestigious collegiate tournaments such as the Penn State Open and was one of the members of the first ever Epee Championships Gold Medal Team (1995). At the 1998 and 2005 United States Fencing Championships, she was the bronze medalist in the Division III Women's Epee Championships.

It was in September of 1998 when Pixie established the Wallingford-Swarthmore Panthers Fencing Club. Since then, success has continued producing Junior Olympic fencers in all disciplines, US Fencing All Academic Scholar Athletes, Finalists and Medalists at US Fencing Super Youth Regional Circuits, US Fencing North American Circuits, and US Fencing Summer Nationals Championships. During the 2010 US Fencing Summer National Championships, success was highlighted with the coaching one of her Panther Fencers for the Gold medal in the Division III Women’s Epee. Due to this achievement, Pixie received the Coach’s Medal presented to her by her Gold medal athlete.

In addition to coaching, Pixie continues to compete in all disciplines representing the Black in Women in Sport Foundation, referee for the NIWFA, MACFA and USFCC collegiate events, a Certified Level II USFA Armorer, a Certified Level 3 Foil, Level 2 Sabre and Level 4 Epee instructor (US Fencing) and 3 weapon Monituer with the United States Fencing Coaches Association.

Pixie graduated from Temple Universtiy, College of Health, Physical Education. Recreation and Dance with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical. Education and Dance (teaching specialty) May 1997. In May 2010, Pixie received her Master of Science in Health Education from Widener University. She continues as a Health, Physical Education and Dance teacher at Strath Haven Middle School, Wallingford-Swarthnore School District and Head Coach and Owner of the Wallingford-Swarthmore Panthers Fencing Club.

Joshua D. Herring: Assistant Coach

Josh Herring started his fencing career in 2000 at Strath Haven Middle School under D.C Pixie Roane. Since then, he has served as a member, captain, and coach for Wallingford Swarthmore Panther Fencing Club and the Millersville University Fencing Guild, qualified to the USFA Junior Olympics in 2006 to 2008, and Summer Nationals in 2005 to 2007.

From 2007 to 2011, he was a member of the inter-scholastic fencing club at Millersville University studying and working with Chris Medalis. Josh fenced Sabre competitively for Millersville along with coaching all three weapons to the other students. While at Millersville, Josh medaled at the BWCFC’s individual championships three times, placing second in 2010 and 2011.

In 2006, Josh won the first two National medals ever won by a Panther fencer, placing 6th in a Division III men’s Sabre at a NAC in Reno, Nevada, and again at Summer Nations that year in Atlanta. Besides these medals Josh had a few Panther firsts and some titles that are yet to be reproduced. He is the first to attain a letter rank in any (one) weapon, first to attain rank in two weapons, and the first to have rank in all three weapons.  Also, Josh is the only Panther to win a triple crown at a tournament (placing in the top three in three events).  He was also the first student to attend Coaches College and become a member of the USFCA.

Josh has attended the USFA Coaches College every year, since 2005, that he has been able to.  He has completed level 2 coaching credentials in Sabre and Epee as well as level one in Foil, and a level three Armorers degree.  He is also a member of the United States Fencing Coaches Association.

Josh graduated in May of 2011 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration focusing in accounting. He is now the Administrator of the Wallingford Swarthmore Panthers Fencing Club as well as an assistant coach. Josh heads the elite training program and all business related activities of Panther fencing.