Meet The Team

Chris Sauthoff is a versatile musician who started young and has traveled the world performing. He also practiced Kendo from 1990 until 2011, when he had a stroke. Chris earned his Black Belt while studying in Japan. After the stroke, he took a few years off and began fencing about ten years ago. Fencing became therapy for him, leading to an E rating in Saber and a C in Epée. Chris was also a Spirit of Sport Honoree in the 2019-2020 season and won two National bronze medals (epée/foil) and one silver (Saber). His journey to the Foundation started six years ago when he was asked to be a substitute coach, and he has been coaching ever since. Chris brightens the Foundation and its fencers with his creativity and shining personality.

Earning a Global MBA degree from Hult International Business School Boston Campus in 2020, Vivi is a visionary entrepreneur. Known for her remarkable achievements in creating two thriving business divisions within two distinct companies, starting from the ground up; she is a passionate problem solver who thrives on challenges and cross-cultural collaborations. Vivi started fencing in 2017 and has found a home working with the foundation which highlights her natural drive to help individuals reach their full potential. In an endeavor to continue growing in fencing, she earned a bronze medal in the Colorado Cup competition in 2023.

Matt is a Marine veteran who found purpose after being medically retired due to a battle with cancer. Initially aiming for a 20-year military career, he sought meaning in life through exercise. Inspired by the quote, "It is a disgrace to grow old through sheer carelessness before seeing what manner of man you may become by developing your bodily strength and beauty to their highest limit. But you cannot see that, if you are careless; for it will not come of its own accord," Matt embraced competitive powerlifting, earning a gold medal at his first event in his age and weight class.

His journey began with significant challenges; after chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, he could barely lift five pounds. The value of exercise became clear as the VA's sports therapy programs played a crucial role in his recovery. Motivated to give back, Matt volunteered to support fellow veterans in these initiatives. It was during a recreational therapy event with the Denver Fencing Center that he discovered his passion for fencing. He seized the chance to fence for the first time and became a member that day.

Coaching fencing has become one of the most fulfilling experiences of his life, allowing him to inspire others and promote the transformative power of exercise. Matt is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community in such a meaningful way.

Jatáya “Jay” Taylor is a medically retired U.S. Marine whose life changed after a training accident in 2005 caused severe shoulder and knee injuries, leading to full-time wheelchair use by 2013 and a through-the-knee left leg amputation in 2017. After years of exploring adaptive sports, Jay discovered wheelchair fencing in 2022 during a visit to the Denver Fencing Center through the Denver VAMC Recreation Therapy Program.

She advanced rapidly, competing nationally and internationally within months, and was named to the USA Parafencing World Team in 2023. She has earned multiple top-16 international finishes and represented Team USA at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. She is currently a member of the U.S. National Team. Inspired by fencing’s impact on her recovery, Jay joined the Denver Fencing Foundation to share the joy fencing provided her. She serves as the parafencing coach, an athlete, and advocate, combining lived experience with high-performance sport to expand access to adaptive fencing for veterans, athletes with disabilities, and underrepresented communities.

Toriana entered the fencing world as a member of the University of Wyoming Fencing Club back in 2015. Ever since then, fencing has been a place where she has always felt welcomed and safe. She took on the role of coach and president of UWFC in 2017, and began to focus her talents towards making her club and the sport a safe place for marginalized groups, especially LGBTQ+ fencers like herself. Now Toriana works as a high school teacher and coach in the far northeast of Denver where she works to give students a safe place to build community and learn this amazing sport.

Born in Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela, Hender's fencing journey began in 1986 after a curious venture with classmates to try it out. Over 37 years, he has earned national titles while proudly representing the Venezuelan National Team. Difficulties in Venezuela led him to Denver, where Nathan of the Denver Fencing Center offered an opportunity he embraced gratefully. Working alongside Nathan, Hender witnessed the club's potential, which led to his joining the Foundation. Beyond the strip, he is a proud father of three, with two children joining him in embracing fencing—a legacy weaving family bonds through this beautiful sport. This has brought the gift of diversity and determination he proudly shares with those he works with.