Our Coaches
All of the coaches at Iconic Fencing Club are official USA Fencing Coaches and are all SafeSport Certified
Cooper Johnson
Owner/Head Coach
Cooper is the Owner and Head Coach of Iconic Fencing Club.
Cooper has been involved in the sport of fencing for over 17 years, beginning his journey at Bacon Academy where he was ECC Champion and First Team All-State in his high school career. He then attended Sacred Heart University, where the team went on to achieve NFC Championships all four years of his collegiate career. Cooper continued training after graduation, fencing in multiple National events with an emphasis on continued dedication to the sport and level of competition.
Cooper also continued with coaching after graduation, returning to his alma mater Bacon Academy to coach multiple state and ECC medalists and finalists, all while simultaneously coaching at Iconn Fencing Club and Silver City Fencing Club until taking over the club in 2023.
Cooper also holds a degree in Exercise Science from SHU, which provides a unique insight into the physical movement aspect of the sport. With years of experience in Exercise Physiology and Physical Therapy environments, Cooper believes in a science-based approach to training for fencing, and has the tools for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Stuart Holmes
Elite Foil Coach
Stuart has been involved in the sport of fencing for over 17 years. Stuart has a unique coaching philosophy and feels that each student should receive a personalized approach. While developing the strength, skills, and techniques needed to succeed at the highest levels of fencing, he also believes that each fencer should develop a strong understanding of the sport and the intricacies of different strategies.
Stuart started fencing at Centereach High School on Long Island where he was county champion in 2009. He then began to train under Jennie Salmon at Mission Fencing Center. Stuart went on to compete on the Division 1 fencing team at Sacred Heart University, capturing four consecutive conference titles. He captained the team for his last two years, helping the team break into the top ten at #9 in 2011. During his college years, Stuart was a 4-time All-Conference Selection (3 First Team and 1 Second Team), NFC Fencer of the year in 2013, and a 2-time NCAA Championship qualifier. Since college, he has won numerous national medals at Division 1 North American Cups (NAC’s) and Summer National Fencing Championships, including gold at the Division 1A National Championship in 2014. He has also anchored for multiple team events at NAC’s and Summer Nationals, earning multiple medals. Stuart has also competed internationally, after being selected to represent Team USA in multiple international events.
Stuart began his coaching career as an assistant coach for Sacred Heart University in 2013. During his time there, he helped coach the men’s team to two additional conference championships while also coaching three men’s foil NCAA championship qualifiers and one men’s foil All-American. After leaving Sacred Heart University, Stuart coached at Silver City Fencing Club (SCFC) from 2016 - 2023. While at SCFC, many of his students had medaled in the CT High School Fencing Championships, including one state champion. His students have consistently been recruited to fence at prestigious collegiate programs including Brandeis, Drew, Penn State, Sacred Heart, Steven’s Tech, Wagner, and Yale.
In addition to being a competitor and a coach, Stuart is also a nationally rated referee. Stuart earned his MBA from Sacred Heart University in 2015. He is currently the Director of Student Financial Assistance at Sacred Heart University.
Kyle Mezzi
Coach
Kyle started fencing foil at age 14, as a freshman at Guilford High School. He continued his fencing career as a member of the Penn State Fencing Team. In January 2010, Kyle began his coaching career as a volunteer with the Guilford High School Fencing Team. Kyle became the Head Coach in the fall of 2010. During his time as Head Coach, Kyle’s fencers have won several state titles in individual and team events and have earned All-State honors in all three weapons.
