Aug. 3, 2009
While things may have slowed down in the Lafayette athletic department during the summer months, many student-athletes remain on College Hill to pursue various academic and athletic endeavors. Lafayette College Athletics has decided to catch up with some of the student-athletes to see what they're doing for the summer and to get to know them a little better. This week fencer Andy Barnousky talks about his sport, major and more.
What are your plans for your summer at Lafayette? Are you taking a class, doing research, working out?
I am doing research in robotics for the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department under professors Jouny and Greco. Basically I have to play with the robots that were purchased by a grant and create labs and curriculum using them.
What's your major and what do you like about your major?
My major is Electrical & Computer Engineering. ECE is truly an interesting field to me; I love that I can work in so many areas and depths and always learn something exciting.
What is your role on the team?
I have many roles on the team. I fence sabre in either the A or B strip (depending on the opposing school), I act as sabre captain during meets and I am also the team's armor.
What is your earliest fencing memory?
I started fencing when I got to college so my first fencing memory was a very fun team meeting where I expressed my interest in learning the sport.
What can you take from your sport and incorporate into everyday life?
A balance of competition and cooperation is necessary in order to succeed. In fencing I am always competing for the A strip (to be the best fencer in that weapon on the team). I need to be constantly improving myself to be better than the other fencers so I can continue to fence in that spot. However, in order for the team to improve, I must teach and help out the other fencers. I find that this is a hard balance to strike in an "individual" sport like fencing. (Note: At meets we compete as a team but your individual record determines your rank in the championship.)
A talent I'd like to have is...
I'd like to have better control of my body. My mind picks up sports very rapidly but my body takes a while to get used to them. In other words, I wish my muscle memory developed faster.
The sport I'm worst at is...
I don't think I've tried enough to figure this one out yet.
Something about me that others would be surprised to hear is...
Before college I was a theater kid who didn't play any sports.
What is your favorite roadtrip (college or otherwise) and why?
My favorite roadtrip was trekking up to Mystic, Conn., to visit my girlfriend who's interning with Pfizer there. It was great to explore the town with her.
What is your favorite activity outside of your sport? Why?
Sketching is a favorite past time of mine. I took art lessons for many years to hone my drawing skills; something I'm quite impressed with.
What is your favorite phrase or saying?
42
If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?
The Story of a Sap
Who would play you in a movie about yourself? Why?
I'd want Johnny Depp to play me; he's a great actor.
TV show I can't stop watching...
Heroes
What is the greatest thing you can learn from a loss?
The touch that beat you can be used against your next opponent.
What do you still wish to accomplish?
In fencing, I wish to remain A strip and help lead the team to another winning season. In life, I wish to be active the rest of my life, visit every state, read hundreds more books, get a job that makes a difference in the world and volunteer more often.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I'd go to see a polar bear in the wild and to visit all the great European castles.
You have an entire day to do whatever you want. Where do you go and what do you do?
I'd go to an amusement park to ride rollercoasters all day long.
Who is your favorite professor and why?
I enjoy having all of the professors in the ECE department. They have made each and every class interesting to me.
What do you like most about Lafayette?
It's a small intimate college where there is a great sense of community.
What is your favorite class and why?
All of the classes I have taken here at Lafayette have been interesting and unique in their own way. In other words, I'd rather not decide.
Have any of your experiences at Lafayette involved traveling to NYC? If so, what for?
I traveled to NYC with the Arts Society to see several Broadway shows.
Word Association:
Lafayette: Home
Lafayette Athletics: The best!
Fencing: Life changing & challenging
Your coaches: Down-to-earth & fun
Your teammates: Crazy & the best reason to fence
Preseason: Lots of footwork & conditioning
Kirby Sports Center: Where I spend my free time
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