Lavish Tavish: From the Rec League to Collegiate Swordsman

Tavish Pegram did not start fencing until he was in middle school, and even then it was only because his mother wanted him to have a more attractive college résumé.

His success in the sport may come as a surprise, then, considering he did not enjoy it at first.

"I didn't really like it because we just did lessons and I don't like just getting lessons," said Pegram, a Towson High School graduate. "The next summer I went back and started doing competitive practices and liked it a lot and just started doing tournaments from there."

The man who taught him the sport in his first four years was Ray Gordon, one of the Lutherville-Timonium Recreation Council fencing instructors. It was Gordon's guidance that set Pegram on a path to earning one of the top spots on the fencing team at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he is about to begin his sophomore year.

There are three classifications of weapons in fencing, two of which Pegram has long since mastered.

Ranked in the top 60 nationally in épée, with comparable skills in foil, Pegram was one of the top fencers at Vassar during his freshman campaign.

"He was our number one foilist last year," Vassar head coach Bruce Gillman said. "He was a real leader on the team. I'm looking for him to be more of a leader this year … he's very versatile."

But Pegram says he learned the skills that put him at the head of his college team from the LTRC program.  

Not only were the practices accessible, but they were also affordable.

"Being close to home helps," Pegram said. "Cheapest also helped. I would have to pay more to get lessons at other places."

Pegram says that he would regularly go four or five times a week to the nearby fencing practices, which are open to Lutherville-Timonium residents of all ages.

Those who have never fenced before can enroll in an eight-week beginner course for just $125, according to Gordon. Upon completion of the initial lessons, fencers can begin participating at the intermediate level, where they are divided by age as well as weapon. In addition to foil and épée, saber instruction is also offered for ages eight and up, with private lessons available for younger children.

Among the other unique offerings at LTRC are cricket and rugby, along with more than 40 other sports and activities.

Some of the more traditional sports available are baseball, basketball, football and lacrosse, while aerobics, cheerleading, dance and chess highlight some of the activities.

Most of the events take place on Lutherville-Timonium sites, which include Ridgely Middle School, Lutherville Laboratory, Timonium Elementary, Hampton Elementary, Seminary Park, Orchard Hills, Valley Fields North and South and West Lutherville Park.

Some activities, including fencing, take place at other sites. The trip may be well worth it, though, as Pegram's college coach can attest.

"He's been very, very helpful to the team so far. I'm happy that I'm going to have him this year and for the next two years," Gillman stated.  "He certainly came in with a lot of knowledge … I credit Ray Gordon."

Gordon is just one of the many instructors of the aforementioned sports and activities who teach Lutherville-Timonium residents of all ages and skill levels, as they have been since the LTRC was first organized in 1949.

To find out more information on the LTRC offerings, call 410-887-7684 from Monday – Friday during its office hours of 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Additional information about the local recreation council, where Kris Mervine is the community supervisor, can be found at http://www.ltrc.org.