Willy Arzola – Head Coach
Coach Willy Arzola is an international saber coach with nearly 20 years of experience developing athletes from youth beginners to Olympians. Originally from Mexico and holding a degree in Exercise Science, he built the Tamaulipas State Fencing Program, producing Mexico’s first junior world medalist in 45 years and coaching athletes to the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Now Co-Head Coach at PDX Fencing Academy, Coach Willy integrates sports science, Korean discipline, and European tradition to create a high-performance training environment. His mission is to help every fencer reach their potential, on and off the strip.
Kelly Kositch – Coach
Coach Kelly brings energy and focus to every class, creating an encouraging environment where students can thrive. With a background in both recreational and competitive fencing, he helps athletes set and achieve their goals — from building confidence to preparing for tournaments. Kelly specializes in working with young children, inspiring them to stay engaged, have fun, and develop a lifelong love for fencing.
Tobyn Dessauer – Coach
Coach Tobyn believes that fencing can mirror the many challenges of life. Teaching perseverance, focus, and the value of teamwork even in an individual sport. With over 11 years of fencing experience starting at age 12, Coach Tobyn has competed as a Division I fencer in multiple weapons and earned dozens of medals, including a national medal.At PDX Fencing Academy, he loves those breakthrough moments when a student finally “gets it” and pushes past a block that held them back. Tobyn brings his competitive background and passion for growth to help students develop both as fencers and as people.
Sophie Gajowskyij – Coach
Coach Sophie has competed for PDX for several years, developing a deep understanding of the sport’s technical intricacies. As a recent Drew University graduate, she competed as a member of the Rangers fencing team, serving as team captain for three years and earning MVP honors for the 2023-2024 season. Her competitive excellence was recognized as she received multiple Eastern Women’s Fencing Conference 1st Team honors and several National Intercollegiate Women’s Fencing Association Conference honors. In addition, she qualified for NCAA Regionals multiple times throughout her collegiate career. As a coach, she emphasizes attention to detail and technical skill development, drawing from years of experience to help fencers refine their fundamentals and reach their full potential.
Hector De La Torre – Coach
Coach Hector specializes in building strong technical foundations and helping fencers improve their speed, timing, and precision. He works with both youth and adult students to foster growth and confidence on the strip.
Charles Randall – Coach
Coach Charles Randall has been passionate about fencing since grade school, dedicating himself exclusively to saber. His talent and dedication quickly caught the attention of two legendary fencing masters, Giorgio Santelli, Olympic gold medalist and five-time U.S. Olympic coach, and Csaba Elthes, U.S. Olympic coach from 1964 to 1984.Coach Randall thrives on inspiring his students to reach their full potential, letting their results speak for themselves. His approach blends discipline, strategy, and encouragement, helping fencers grow both on and off the strip.
Misael Lopez – Assistant Coach
Coach Misael recently joined PDX Fencing as an Assistant Coach for the Competitive Program, bringing more than 14 years of fencing experience and a strong record of athletic and leadership excellence. He has represented the Puerto Rican National Team and served as Team Captain at his university, leading his teammates with dedication and discipline. He has competed at both national and international levels, representing his teams. As a coach, Coach Misael is deeply committed to helping athletes refine their technique, develop strategic awareness, and strengthen mental resilience. He believes in fostering an environment of discipline, confidence, and competitive drive, empowering fencers to reach their fullest potential through consistent effort and integrity both on and off the strip.