Air Force Fencing All-American Alumni Spotlight: James Salem
7/16/2020 10:00:00 AM | Fencing
Air Force fencing is highlighting its All-Americans that have come through the program. Our next All-American is 2016 Academy graduate James Salem. Salem was a two-time NCAA qualifier in the men's epee, with his highest finish coming in 2015, when he placed fifth in the men's epee. As a senior, Salem was a team co-captain.
Year of Graduation: 2016
Weapon: Epee
Best result at a Championship: 5th at NCAA's in 2015.
In the Air Force:
- Instructor Pilot
- Assistant Chief of Programming
Current Job:
- Instructor Pilot
Favorite Hobby:
Snowboarding
While at USAFA, what was your favorite thing/memory with the fencing team:
Wing Wednesday with the crew
After graduation, what do you miss most about the fencing team:
I miss the extra time I put into fencing. I miss the moments where it was just me and a teammate like Chavo or Coach Omar bouting until we couldn't take it anymore. I miss lessons with Coach Salem. He would stay after practice and push me until my body gave up. I miss those personal moments with people I respected the most.
Quote/Advice for the fencing team:
Success is created from consistently picking yourself up after you fall.
Is there anything else you want to share?:
Fencing is tough. It being an individual sport makes it difficult to deal with losing. You have no one to blame but yourself. A lot of people quit so they don't have to feel that pain anymore. They either quit fencing all together, or quit trying. Be somebody that overcomes your losses and keeps working to succeed. This will set the tone for the rest of your life. Ed Weichers, a great man, once said, "Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
Year of Graduation: 2016
Weapon: Epee
Best result at a Championship: 5th at NCAA's in 2015.
In the Air Force:
- Instructor Pilot
- Assistant Chief of Programming
Current Job:
- Instructor Pilot
Favorite Hobby:
Snowboarding
While at USAFA, what was your favorite thing/memory with the fencing team:
Wing Wednesday with the crew
After graduation, what do you miss most about the fencing team:
I miss the extra time I put into fencing. I miss the moments where it was just me and a teammate like Chavo or Coach Omar bouting until we couldn't take it anymore. I miss lessons with Coach Salem. He would stay after practice and push me until my body gave up. I miss those personal moments with people I respected the most.
Quote/Advice for the fencing team:
Success is created from consistently picking yourself up after you fall.
Is there anything else you want to share?:
Fencing is tough. It being an individual sport makes it difficult to deal with losing. You have no one to blame but yourself. A lot of people quit so they don't have to feel that pain anymore. They either quit fencing all together, or quit trying. Be somebody that overcomes your losses and keeps working to succeed. This will set the tone for the rest of your life. Ed Weichers, a great man, once said, "Tough times don't last. Tough people do."
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