PCC Instructor Daryl Taylor National Fencing Champion At 70

Daryl Taylor, an instructor in the Kinesiology Health & Athletics area, captured the Men’s Epee gold medal in the Vet-70 division at the USA Fencing National Championships held in Phoenix, Az. earlier this month.

Taylor qualified for the Veteran World Championships to be held in Daytona Beach, Fl. in October. Last year, he earned a bronze medal at the Vet Worlds in Croatia.

Taylor’s recent success is remarkable considering he took a break of more than 30 years from the sport after he fenced and played football at the University of Pennsylvania from 1971-1975. He began fencing in high school at Pennington Prep in New Jersey.

Taylor has taught fencing at PCC since 2012 and has served students as an instructor in business marketing and now in athletics for the past 20 years.

“PCC is the only community college that offers fencing as a credit class,” Taylor said. “When I began teaching the sport here, the students were urging me to go back to competition. I was 60 at the time and next thing I know I found out there was a Veterans division for my age group. I wasn’t going to be able to keep up with these younger guys, but I figured hey I can for sure compete with guys my age.”

At the national championships he said, “I’m back. And I’m having a great time in the Vet category. The fact that I’m still competing and vibrant at 70 is a blessing. I’m humbled and pleased to be in this position.”

After returning from Phoenix with his gold medal in hand, Taylor began teaching a summer course in pickleball, the first time PCC is offering classes in the sport.