Jane Littmann, Coach and Sports Psychologist

Jane Littmann was a member of two United States World Championship Teams in Women's Epee. She was a finalist in all three weapons at the United States National Championships. She won several North American Cups and was the North American Circuit Season point champion for two years. Jane was an A-classified fencer. Although she retired from competition in 1992, she ""unretired"" briefly to compete on the Columbia Fencers' Club Women's Epee team that won the 1999 United States Summer National Championships. Jane was a member of the United States Maccabiah Team that won the bronze medal in Women's Team Foil, and she has been a medalist in competitions in Europe. She achieved top 32 results in several World Cups in Women's Epee. She is an experienced referee (level 5 in Foil and level 4 in Epee) and has refereed at the Modern Pentathlon World Championships. Jane began coaching in the mid-1970's. She has been invited and participated in national and international fencing and coaching seminars and training camps for elite athletes and coaches, including at the United States Olympic Training Center.

Michael Tarascio,  Guest Coach

Michael Tarascio was a member of the United States World Championship Team in Men's Foil. He has fenced and coached in all three weapons. He was an A-classified Foil fencer, and independently earned B-classifications in Epee and Saber through his competition results in those weapons. Michael has been an invited participant attending the United States Fencing Association Coaches College and other coaching camps/international seminars at the United States Olympic Training Center for elite fencing coaches many times. These seminars provide advanced level training to qualified participants on the most recent and evolving developments in the sport.

Michael is a Level 4 Foil coach certified through the United States Fencing Association. In addition, he is certified through the Positive Coaching Alliance and the American Sports Education Program.

Michael teaches Recreational Classes for Youth, Teens and Adults. In addition, Michael teaches Advanced Level Technique and Tactics Classes and provides Individual Coaching for the Serious Competitive Fencer. 

Michael's philosophy on fencing is "Participate in fencing because it's fun".

Michael is the Head Coach of the New England Fencing Alliance. 

Michael and Jane's Coaching Accomplishments

Michael and Jane have coached numerous recreational and competitive fencers. Beyond excellent local and regional results, Julia Korony won two North American Cups and Davey Bright won silver at a North American Cup while still in High School. Davey Bright, Jason Wells, and Julia Korony went on to fence on varsity teams at Duke, UNC, and Temple, and each qualified and fenced at the NCAA National Championships (limited to only 24 collegiate fencers in the country in each weapon). Julia won the National Intercollegiate Women's Fencing Championships three times. Michael and Jane have had key roles in the development of many other fencers including Cameron Virkus, member of the Duke Varsity Team, Katie Rebich, member of the UNC Varsity Team, and Jackson McClam, member of the Duke Varsity Team. Jackson qualified for the NCAA National Championships in 2005 as a Freshman. Michael also had a significant role in coaching Jane during her competitive career.


For more information, contact Jane at info@columbiafc.com or 803-781-0056.