Like many kids, Carson Bosita was initially drawn to fencing because he liked the idea of playing with swords.
However, it took artistry and strategic initiative to evolve from a swashbuckling enthusiast into a national champion on the piste.
Bosita, who graduated from St. Mark’s in May, claimed the Division II men’s saber title last summer at the USA Fencing National Championships in Columbus, Ohio, lunging past several higher-ranked athletes along the way. In July, he’ll seek a second crown at the Division I level at nationals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Preston Hollow teenager, who trains rigorously at Globus Fencing Academy in Dallas, didn’t start fencing until seventh grade, which put him at a disadvantage against his more experienced peers, and tested his commitment and drive.
“I ended up losing a lot early because I was behind,” said Bosita, who will be a freshman at Stanford University in the fall. “Losing teaches you a lot faster than winning. It tests you. How much do you really want this?”
Among the three disciplines in fencing, Bosita gravitated immediately to saber because of his speed, both mentally and physically.
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“In epee and foil, there’s a lot more waiting and usually you’re moving pretty slow,” he said. “I’m pretty fast, which is my defining character trait in fencing, which is really helpful in saber.”
After winning nationals last year, Bosita finished top-16 in November in a junior men’s saber event against some world-class talent. And in his most recent event in April in Los Angeles, Bosita upset Olympic silver medalist Daryl Homer in the men’s open division.
“It was great to be able to get such a high result for me, against people who technically have a higher rating than me,” Bosita said. “I made it pretty far.”
Bosita balances his fencing career with academic and artistic pursuits. His award-winning graphic art adorned the senior class T-shirts at St. Mark’s and has supported other student groups.
He’s also been a prolific pianist since he was very young. He played spontaneously on the Seoul Sky observation deck during a training trip to South Korea and last year closed out the American Protégé Winners Recital at Carnegie Hall.
“That was a pretty amazing experience,” he said. “Every activity I do has some component of stress relief. When I’m improvising on the piano or throwing some sketches in my digital sketchbook or hanging out with my friends, it’s pretty relaxing.”
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