Shawn Bertel, Head Coach

Head Coach Shawn Bertel has been fencing for over 45 years and coaching for over 40 years. Over the course of his fencing career, he has competed, coached, and officiated in foil, epee, and sabre fencing. He is SafeSport Certified and has completed all background checks through USA Fencing.

Coach Bertel has experience training fencers at all levels. He has attended coaching courses at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. He also served 8 years as an officer in the United states Air Force as an engineer, instructor, athletic program director, and a commander. As the Head Men’s and Women’s Fencing coach at the United States Air Force Academy, Bertel’s team was ranked in the top 10 in the country. In addition, his Women’s team won the Western Athletic Championship and qualified for the NCAA championships.

Coach Bertel had a fencing club at Lititz Rec Center, and then spent 8 years as the Head Coach at Spooky Nook Fencing Academy, before founding the Lancaster Fencing Academy.

Coach Bertel has been in the Lititz area for the last thirty years. After 29 years he has retired from Johnson & Johnson and has time for his passion, fencing. Shawn is married to his high school sweetheart for 40 years and have four boys and two grandchildren.