Michael Botenhagen

Head Coach, Lead Épée Coach, Foil Coach, Prévôt d'Épée, Moniteur des Armes

Michael Botenhagen has fenced for 39 years and worked over 19 years as a fencing coach. He was a National point holder in Div.1 Épée and has 3 silver medals from The Pacific Coast Championships, in the Pacific Coast Section, 1997, 1999 and 2001. He also has a silver medal from The California State Games, finishing 1 touch behind Olympian Soren Thompson. Mike finished 8th at the 2002 Duel in the Desert in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was an Épée World Cup participant in 2002. Michael has over 30 years of competitive fencing experience and is a Professional member of the USFA (United States Fencing Association).

He is also a certified Moniteur des Armes and Prévôt d`Escrime in Épée by the USFCA (United States Fencing Coaches Association). He was awarded the classification of Level II Instructor in The German Épée System at Halberstadt Fencing Studio, San Francisco, CA in 1992. He is also a Level II Épée Instructor, from the USFA National Coaching Development Program, Coaches College, Colorado Springs, CO, awarded in 1999. Michael’s students have gone on to fence for Stanford University Varsity fencing team, University of Pennsylvania Varsity fencing team, and University of California, Berkeley. Michael is CA State, and USA Nationally Live Scan certified.

Student’s achievements:

International  Medals:

  • 3rd Place, Men’s Epee, Vet 70, Vet World Championships, Oct 24th, 2014, Debrecen, Hungary

National Medals: 

  • 8th Place, Men’s Epee, Vet 70, USA National Championships 2019

  • 2nd Place, Men’s Epee, Vet 70, USA National Championships 2016

  • 6th Place, Men’s Epee, Div II, USA National Championships 2015

  • 1st Place, Men’s Epee, Vet 70, USA National Championships, 2014

  • 2nd Place, Men’s Epee, Vet. 60, USA National Championships 2012

  • 1st Place, Women’s Epee, Div. III, USA National Championships 2011

  • 5th Place, Men’s Epee, Div. II U.S. National Championships 2008

  • 2nd Place, Men’s Epee, Veteran’s USA National Championships 2006

  • 3rd Place, Men’s Epee, Veteran’s USA National Championships 2005

  • 2nd Place, The Swords Bay The Bay SYC, Y14 Men’s Epee, 2017

  • 1st Place, Men’s Epee, Vet. 70, North American Cup, Dec. 2013

  • 5th Place, Men’s Epee, Div. III North American Cup, March 2013

  • 7th Place, Women’s Epee, Div. II North American Cup, Dec. 2012

  • 1st Place, Y12 Men’s Epee, Royal Arts Super Youth (SYC) March 2012

  • 3rd Place, Y14 Men’s Epee, Royal Arts Super Youth (SYC) March 2012

  • 3rd Place, Women’s Epee Y14, North American Cup 2011

  • 1st Place, Men’s Epee, Div. III North American Cup “D” 2011

  • 2nd Place, Men’s Epee, Div. II North American Cup “E” 2009

  • 5th Place, Men’s Epee, Div. III North American Cup “E” 2009

  • 3rd Place, Men’s Epee, Div. II North American Cup “E” 2008

  • 1st Place, Men’s Epee, Div. III North American Cup “E” 2008