Jean Finkleman began fencing in 1987 at the Montgomery County Fencing Club and the Chevy Chase Fencing Club, coached by Raymond Finkleman. She began to compete locally and nationally earning rankings in foil, epee and sabre. Jean won the Capitol Division Women’s Epee Championship in 1991 and was at one time ranked #1 in the USA in the Veteran Women’s Sabre. Jean served as meet manager for many local tournaments and as the Capitol Division treasurer for six years. She was also a rated referee in foil and epee. She is certified in first aid and CPR including AED instruction.
Teaching group classes since 1990 at the Chevy Chase Fencing Club in both foil and epee, Jean became more involved in developing the youth fencing program. Instrumental in the decision to begin the youth epee program at Chevy Chase, Jean began to give private lessons and strip coach at local, National and International tournaments. Her students were frequent medal winners and held national rankings in the youth group categories. Jean was honored to also coach her students at international tournaments and one to a silver medal at the Cadet World Championships in Belfast, Ireland. Jean also gave lessons and coached adults at the Chevy Chase Fencing Club and at tournaments. Two of these adults have made the world veterans teams in Epee and Foil.
Jean continued to study coaching with her husband and Fencing Master Raymond Finkleman as well as at the United States Fencing Association Coaches College at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Jean is not currently coaching at the club as she pursues her art career. View her acrylic paintings on Jean’s art website.
