AFA fencer French combines sportsmanship and success

If you believe in karma, Peter French’s story will make you smile.

French is a senior fencer for Air Force whose biggest achievement might not be back-to-back All-American honors in 2008-09 or two straight North American Cup titles. He won his second Division I men’s epee North American Cup last month.

Many of his most prestigious accomplishments have come after winning the 2008 NCAA Sportsmanship Award. He has had a lot of success for the Falcons, and has done so with honor.

“If he wins, he wants to feel good about it,” Air Force fencing coach Abdel Salem said. “He wants it to be an honorable victory.”

French downplays the moment that led to the sportsmanship award. At the 2008 junior men’s epee world cup in Switzerland – with a spot on the world team on the line – French corrected an official’s error. He went for his opponent’s foot, but struck the floor instead. French was mistakenly given a point by the scoring director, but French pointed out the error and asked that the point be removed.

French said that happens often in the United States, but is rare during international matches.

“It’s a much more competitive environment,” French said.

To French’s surprise, his competitor returned the favor in the same situation later in the match. French won the match, finished third in the competition and made the world team.

Good karma hasn’t hurt French’s fencing career, which has been on the upswing since winning the sportsmanship award. He has also been a model citizen for the academy. He helped build houses in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and taught English at a Latvian orphanage among his community service endeavors.

French’s family was active in its local church in Austin, Texas, and he has carried on the messages he learned there.

“My parents tried to impress upon me that I should be grateful and try to help others,” French said.

French said his fencing career will come to an end after the season. Among the few competitions he has left are the West Regional Championships and the NCAA Division I Fencing Championships this month. French said he doesn’t want to just play the sport recreationally, and has other things he wants to do in his life. He has been fencing since he was 6.

“It’s going to be very weird,” French said. “But it’s something I’m looking forward to.”