Lucas Senic and Luao Yang

Bloomfield Hills High School students and award-winning fencing champions Lucas Senic and Luao Yang began their journey as young boys at the Renaissance Fencing Club.

“I started at (Renaissance Fencing Club) when I was eight-years-old,” said Yang. “I thought (fencing) was interesting. It was like a puzzle or a game to see who would make the next right decision.”

Senic, a 15-year-old sophomore at Bloomfield Hills, was a sports enthusiast from an early age.

“I was six-years-old when I started fencing,” Senic said. “My parents were both coaches at the Renaissance Fencing Club.”

Yang and Senic recently returned from the Fencing World Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“We won the team under-20 event,” said Yang.

Senic earned the top spot on the under-17 roster.

“I was on the World Championship Team and the number one fencer for the U.S. this year,” he said. “It was amazing.”

Senic also won medals at all four International Cadet Events this season. He won silver in Warsaw, Poland, and in Cabries, France. He won bronze in Nuremberg, Germany, and gold in Sofie, Bulgaria.

“It was a very good feeling to win those medals for the United States,” Senic said. “It was very emotional.”

Yang, an 18-year-old senior at Bloomfield Hills, has been going to the national competitions since he was 10-years-old. He represented the U.S. in 2024, 2025 and 2026 at the Junior and Cadet World Championships. He also won gold in 2025 at the Cadet Men’s Individual Foil in Wuxi, China.

“It was really amazing to finish gold,” Yang said. “I was so proud. I was over the moon and it was a great feeling. I just want to fence my best and represent this great country.”

While both Yang and Senic dedicate copious hours each week to the sport of fencing, they also recognize the importance of academics.

“When I have to miss school, my teachers will give me the work in advance,” Senic said. “The teachers are very supportive and accommodating. I have a 3.7 grade point average.”

Yang maintains a 4.0 grade point average.

“My mindset is school first. My parents and coaches agree with that,” Yang said. “I value both, but academics is very important to me.”

In addition to achieving high academic scores, both young men spend a lot of time honing their craft at the Renaissance Fencing Club.

“I practice five times a week,” Senic said. “And, I take a lesson every single day.”

Yang trains six times a week.

“In total, I train for about 15 hours a week,” Yang said.

Both gentlemen are especially grateful for their parents' dedication in helping to propel them to success.

“My mom, especially, has been my biggest inspiration,” Senic said. “My mom was an Olympian in 1992, 1996 and 2000.”

Yang’s parents have traveled with him to nearly every tournament.

“My parents commit a lot of time and money to this.” Yang said. “I appreciate my grandma so much, too. She cooks for me and drives me to and from school and practice.”

The exceptionally gifted young men have grand plans for their bright futures.

“I’m going to Stanford University,” Yang said. “I’m going to fence for the Stanford University team.”

Senic has his sights set on the Olympics.

“I want to make the Olympic team for the United States.”

Story: Katey Meisner

Photo: Laurie Tennent