Pick the coach that’s right for you.
Our Team
Brian Foster - Epee
Brian Foster our head Epee coach, has been fencing for 28 years and coaching for the last 18. During his time fencing, Brian competed regularly on the national circuit. He has taken that experience with him into coaching. This experience has helped him lead the Voorhees and North Hunterdon epee squads to becoming crowned State Champions, as well as coaching National Medalists, Individual State Qualifiers, and NCAA Division 1 fencers. Brian is enthusiastic about growing his program and currently offers instruction in both Epee and Foil. In addition to fencing, Brian currently holds a B.S. in Art Education from Kutztown University and a personal training certificate from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Darren Manchen - Foil
Darren began coaching Foil at Clinton Fencing Club while in College at 19 years old. He was there for 11 years before founding the Manchen Academy of Fencing. To date, he has coached a Junior World Team gold medalist, two National Champions, over twenty National Medalists, an Individual State Champion, as well as countless District and State Individual Qualifiers, many All-State Recipients, and more. As a New Jersey resident, Darren has been fencing for almost thirty years. While coaching he received his Bachelor's and Master’s Degree in Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University. After graduating he continued coaching while working full-time as a public accountant. It was after 2 years that he chose to leave this career and focus all of his time and energy on his passion for teaching and fencing. With his help, students have consistently been recruited and gone on to fence for some of our nation’s best Colleges and Universities. His students describe him as fair and understanding while challenging them to excel in the sport.
Photo by: Shots By Zlots Photography
Joe Zanko III - Saber
Joseph Zanko began fencing in 2006 at Fordham University’s club program. After graduating he began fencing with Ron Margulis at the Westfield Fencing Club, eventually joining its coaching staff as Assistant Sabre Coach. Joseph then transitioned on to Hub City Fencing in Edison In 2010 to improve both his fencing and his coaching. His original part-time coaching duties at Hub City Fencing grew to include the instruction of classes in all three weapons as well as private students. In addition, Joseph has also coached New Jersey high school teams since 2014, as an assistant coach at Lawrenceville, Head Coach at Gill St. Bernard’s, and Head Coach at Montgomery High School, where the women’s team went on to be 2021-2022 NJ HS State Champions! In August of 2025, Joseph was awarded Prévôt d’Armes from the US Fencing Coaches Association, National Coaches Development Program. Currently, Joseph is the head coach of the Drew University Rangers fencing team in addition to being our head Saber coach!
Photo by: Shots By Zlots Photography
Charlie Daum- Foil
Charlie Daum is a B-rated foilist who started fencing at MAF in 2017 and was on the team at West Morris Central High School. Coach Charlie is a recent Drew University graduate where he was the captain of the foil squad that made it to the NCAA Regionals. Coach Charlie is accepting new students in the foil program and will be teaching group lessons.
Photo by: Shots By Zlots Photography
Alex Lum-DeBono - Foil
Alex Lum-DeBono graduated recently from the University of Toronto where he was a 4-year Varsity Athlete on their foil team. The Varsity Blues were 4X Overall (Ontario University Athletics) Men’s Champions, 1X gold and 2X silver foil team medalists. Alex has been fencing at MAF since 2020. He started fencing in 2019 at North Hunterdon HS and was co-captain in his senior year. Coach Alex will be accepting new students in our foil program.
Dylan Carr - Saber
Dylan Carr is an accomplished saber fencer, having competed at the collegiate level for NJIT, where he honed his skills and passion for the sport. Currently, he brings that expertise to Voorhees High School as their dynamic fencing coach, inspiring young athletes to reach their potential. When he's not on the strip, Dylan works as a skilled field technician, balancing precision and problem-solving in every aspect of his career.
Aidan DeSola - Foil
Aidan DeSola is a B-rated fencer and proud alumnus of Drew University, where he served as team captain for two years and led the foil squad to consecutive regional championships. Before his collegiate career, Aidan fenced for Hunterdon Central, earning First Team All-State honors for two consecutive years.