Russell Gibson started fencing in at DFC in 2004. He fell in love with the sport, even telling his wife, "I'm going to do this for the rest of my life," after taking his first class. He came to class as two and three times a week and read any material he could find on fencing technique and tactics. Early the next year, he competed in his first unrated tournament and finished in 3rd place.

That same year Russell also finished in 10th place in the Colorado Division National's Qualifier and was qualified for Division III Summer National Tournament in Sacramento, CA. Next year, Russell was the 2005-2006 Colorado Cup Foil Champion.

At the beginning of the next fencing season, Russell realized he wanted to coach fencing in addition to competing. He attended the United States Fencing Association's Coaches College held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and completed the Level I foil course. Since then he has been teaching youth and adult beginner fencing classes both at DFC and a new facility in Golden we call DFC Golden. Russell looks forward to improving his own abilities as a competitor and coach and hopes to one day become a full time fencing coach.