Balancing Computer Engineering studies and competitive fencing may be an acquired skill, but third year Alexander Zwegers does so with grace. 

"It's been an exercise in balancing and time management" said Zwegers, who plans to be back fencing for the Rams as soon as possible. 

However, engineering and fencing are just a part of Zwegers' diverse set of interests. Before his bouting days, Zwegers established his love for art. 

"Art definitely plays a large role in my life. I've been into music, playing guitar, for longer than I have been fencing even." Zwegers started playing guitar 14 years ago, but has been fencing competitively for the last 7 years.

"As a child, I tried a lot of the usual sports. Right around the age of 10 though, nothing was really sticking. (My) parents suggested that I try fencing. I didn't immediately fall in love with it, but it interested me enough to stick with it."

The third-year has come to appreciate and excel in the art of fencing. 

"One good description I've heard for fencing is it's like running a marathon while playing chess."
  Zwegers credits fencing for helping him deal with the onslaught of Ryerson's challenging Engineering program. 

"It's a struggle. Keeping up with all the assignments, lab reports, and the ever-impending midterms and finals. I feel like fencing has managed to teach me a lot about dedication and determination in achieving even academic success." 

Zwegers was familiar with Ryerson's fencing coaches, helping him pick the blue and gold over other choices like University of Toronto. 

The third year also commented on the "friendly rivalry" he has with UofT, since many of his club teammates went on to join Toronto's Varsity Blues. Zwegers explained that, despite fencing being a solo sport, his Ryerson teammates provide essential support. 

"It plays a huge mental role. It seems like there's a lot of camaraderie in the university teams. I enjoy it when I have teammates around. It's a smaller team than say, University of Toronto, but we do have good bonds and, in my couple years of fencing with the team now, I've built up quite a rapport with my teammates."

In line with the mental strength of fencing, Zwegers discussed the differences between his team and other OUA sports. 

"It's certainly not about pure physical strength. In a way, I think fencing is different than the average demographic you'd find in other sports."

Zwegers' dedication to the sport has paid off, including a trip to represent Canada at the world scale in Paris in 2018. 

"When I went to Paris, there was only one other Canadian with me, a guy that participated in the 2016 Olympics. It's almost a bit intimidating to be there. I'm the only other guy there with someone who's gone way farther in the sport than I have yet."

The fencer in question was Maxime Brinck-Croteau, who represented Canada at Rio in 2016 and won silver in the individual épée at the 2015 Pan American Championships. Zwegers, who is half-Dutch, also looks up to players like Bas Verwijlen. 

In class, Zwegers is keeping his career options open. "I chose Computer Engineering over Computer Science or even Electrical Engineering because I wanted a mix of hardware and software. Anything from your Silicon Valley-type work or making the circuitry (and) wiring for cars or something like that."

Despite deviating from his program, Zwegers assists Ryerson's Formula racing team with aerodynamics, while doing some driving himself as a hobby. 

"It's a bit funny," said Zwegers about the racing team. "Usually Aerospace would make sense for that."
  Zwegers said that he doesn't have many conflicts balancing his workload with athletics and hobbies. However, he opened up about some of the social and stress related challenges that his engineering peers face. 

"I think there can be some preconceptions about engineering students. To some degree, there's perhaps truth in it. It takes so much of your time." Zwegers clarified that Engineering students are only granted one reading week over the whole year, with no break in their Fall semester.

"I'm sure it's eaten into social life for many students," he added with a laugh. "There's certainly a difference between the type of social life I had in high school and now in university…(but) it just kind of comes with the territory."

Meanwhile, he explained that the department has social events for students, and that he's "still built lasting connections with others in Engineering."

Zwegers was able to summarize creative passions moving forward. "I'm very interested in the combination of engineering, craftsmanship, and art."

Although his specific plans aren't concrete, he spoke about his professional dreams with hope. 

"Fencing with the Olympics is a dream of mine. To be an engineer for a Formula One team would be another dream of mine. Whether that can be balanced or whether you can do both- I don't know. We'll see."

For more profiles on our student-athletes, stay tuned to ryersonrams.ca

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