San Luis Highlanders  Fencing Club

Eric McDonald

Highlanders' Head Coach, Eric McDonald, a veteran fencer in all three weapons and head coach of numerous teams through-out his 45+ year career, Eric has served as Head Coach for both the  San Luis Highlanders (since 2003) and Cal Poly Fencing Club (1992-2013), successfully leading the team to numerous conference championships.  As a level four graduate of the USFA Coaches College program in both foil and epee and a certified instructor since 1986, Eric is happy to share his wealth of knowledge and experience.  

Ward Cochran

Ward is currently serving as a certified foil instructor for the San Luis Highlanders and the head coach for Cal Poly Fencing. Ward started fencing foil in 1978 at Cuesta College, under the instruction of Adele Frey and John Harris. He began coaching at Cuesta College in 1983, and became interested in epee due to coach McDonald. He continues to fence and compete in both foil and epee.

Anna Kopcrak

As a certified fencing instructor for the San Luis Highlanders Fencing Club, Anna brings her passion and knowledge to the sport.  Anna has medaled in numerous championships including the US Collegiate Fencing Championship.  After 20+ years, she still enjoys getting on the strip and engaging in all the layers of physical chess.  She is proud to work with every person who is at all interested in fencing and loves sharing her sport.  

Walter Goodwater

Walter started fencing at Cal Poly under Coach McDonald in 2002. Since then, he has continued to train, compete, and referee all over the central coast, and has been a coach at Cal Poly, Highlanders, Presidio Fencing Club, and the Dunn School in Los Olivos.