When Forge Fencing arrives in Portland, Oregon for the 2026 USA Fencing Summer National Championships and July Challenge, 31 members of our community will take the strip at the largest tournament in the country.
Qualifying for Summer Nationals is never the result of a single tournament or performance. It reflects an entire season of training, lessons, travel, competition, and steady improvement. From local events to Regional and National tournaments, our athletes have challenged themselves, overcome setbacks, and continued to pursue their goals. We are excited to see this group represent Forge on one of the biggest stages in American fencing.
But as impressive as the competitive results have been, the story of this season extends beyond medals and rankings.
For Forge Head Coach Jeff Kallio, the past year has served as a powerful reminder of what makes the club special.
"This season has brought some personal challenges that reminded me just how special the Forge community really is. The support, encouragement, and generosity shown by our athletes, parents, coaches, and friends has meant a lot in a difficult time. Watching our fencers continue to grow and succeed while feeling support around me has been incredibly humbling. This team represents not just decades of history of our competitive achievement, but the strength of a community that takes care of one another. I'm honored to travel to Portland alongside this group."
That sense of community has always been central to Forge Fencing and this summer, Forge will be represented by a diverse group of competitors spanning youth, senior, and veteran categories. Some are preparing for their first national championship appearance. Others are experienced competitors returning to test themselves against the best fencers in the country. Together, they represent the best our sport has to offer.
2026 Forge Fencing Summer Nationals Travel Team
Carl Badger
Myer Bramlett
Matthew Chaves
Bennett Crain
Tyson Deck
Ava Ellis-Furlong
Malcolm Goldstein
Lining (Joe) Guo
Yuexi (Daisy) Guo
Noah Hall
Jacqueline Halley
Cadel Henry
Neila Huang
Wilma (Tammy) Jackson
Neema Johnson
Reuben Joseph
Erica Julien
Jeff Kallio
Sky Miller
Emma Ming
Annette Moore
Blaise Moore
Michael Nicholson
Jen Oldham
Stephen Pashby
Cathleen Coyle Randall
Phoenix Roberts
Tristan Shim
Katerina Wilfret
Nora Xie
Colin Yeazel
Qualifying for Summer Nationals represents countless hours of training and a willingness to keep improving every day. Every member of this team has earned their place in Portland through dedication and perseverance.
As the championships approach, the entire Forge community will be cheering them on from North Carolina and beyond. We are proud of what these athletes have accomplished, grateful for the families and supporters who make these journeys possible, and excited to watch our team compete among the nation's best.
Congratulations to our 2026 Summer Nationals Travel Team.
We'll see you in Portland.
Be sure to follow the team's progress throughout Summer Nationals on Forge's social media channels, the USA Fencing YouTube channel, and at www.fencingtimelive.com. Whether you're traveling with us or cheering from home, we appreciate your support and look forward to sharing the experience with the entire Forge community.
Photo from the Pre-Nationals Forge Camp