Michael Botenhagen, has fenced for more than 30 years and worked over 10 years as a fencing coach. He was a National point holder in Div.1 Epee 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. YAY! Mike finished 8th at the 2002 Duel in the Desert in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a Epee 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 D’ Armes and Prevot D` Escrime in Epee by the USFCA (United States Fencing Coaches Association). He was awarded the classification of Level II Instructor in The German Epee System at Halberstadt Fencing Studio, San Francisco, CA in 1992. He is also a Level II Epee 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.