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WILMINGTON – The North Carolina Fencing League is growing at the high school level. Coaches said the sport has always varied in popularity in high schools, but right now they are pushing hard to get more fencing clubs and varsity teams in the schools.

Fencers like Lara Bergeron said when most people think of fencing, they think it is a sport of the past. But she is working to bring it back.

"I like the team aspect of the sport while being an individual sport, unless you are competing in a team. You only push yourself as hard as you want to," said Bergeron.

Bergeron said there is no better feeling than picking up a weapon and battling it out on the strip. She is among those encouraging other high school students to draw their weapons.

"Right now we are in a fencing league, so we are driving four and five hours to get to these tournaments. So if we get more schools, we can push it down smaller and smaller, less driving for us and more fencers to fence," said high school fencer Eric Whitmire.

The popularity of fencing is spreading throughout North Carolina according to Harvery Webb, the head fencing coach at Morehead High School, where fencing is a varsity sport.

"Our problem right now is the availability of coaches and referees. We could grow right now; there are probably eight or 10 schools right now that would start a program if they had a coach," said Webb.

Coaches and fencers said the sport is both athletic and strategic. You have to have both wits and skills to take down your opponent.

"It's very important to the mind also, it's not just like test your strength. It's your ability and ability to plan," said Bergeron.

The goal for the coaches and fencers is to get a club or varsity fencing team in all high schools across the state. The North Carolina Fencing League has grown to include seven teams that will compete in tournaments.