Our Staff

All staff are Safesport-certified and background checked.

Annamaria Lu, Head Coach and Co-Owner (She/Hers)

Annamaria Lu is the Head Fencing Coach and Co-Owner of Fence STL. She started fencing as an undergrad in college in 2011 at Bradley University Fencing Club and quickly fell in love with the sport. She started coaching in 2013 by working with the kids class at a local club in Peoria, IL, and continued to coach when she lived in Texas and New York. Now in St, Louis, Fence St. Louis is a culmination of Annamaria’s experiences working with different populations of fencers in different regions of the United States.

Annamaria received her Masters in industrial-organizational psychology in 2019 from Hofstra University, specifically interested in fields of psychology related to motivation, teamwork, organizational culture, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her detailed level of education in this field directly correlates to her coaching philosophies:

  • Different fencers have different needs that have to be met to accomplish their goals.

  • Fencing provides an outlet for fencers to work hard and develop while having fun.

  • Club culture and community connections are vital to creating an environment where fencers can become their best selves.

Additionally, Annamaria is involved in USA Fencing not only as a fencing coach, but has refereed the highest level of national tournaments, Division 1, in both epee and saber. She is a highly involved member of the USA Fencing Referees Commission Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Taskforce, where she helps collect and analyze data relating to the representation of underrepresented groups of people within USA Fencing and refereeing.

Tyler Brockmeyer, Assistant Coach (He/His)

Tyler assists with coaching the Teen & Adult class, private lessons, and more. Tyler is originally from St. Louis and earned his Bachelors in Computer Science from Missouri University of Science & Technology. He started fencing as an adult at the age of 27 and fencing has quickly become one of his passions: on weekends, you can find Tyler competing at tournaments. Tyler approaches fencing like a logic puzzle and enjoys deconstructing tactics and actions. Outside of fencing, Tyler enjoys programming for fun, playing video games, travelling, and trying new foods.

Monica McGill, Co-Owner (She/Hers)

Dr. Monica McGill is computer scientist by trade who found her way into academia, receiving tenure at both Bradley University (Interactive Media/Game Design) and Knox College (Computer Science) in central Illinois. Monica is currently the Founder and CEO of CSEdResearch.org, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that is dedicated to conducting research in ways to teach computer science to all K-12 students. Over the years, her nationally and internationally recognized research has become focused on ensuring that all students, including those that have historically been underrepresented in computing careers, have an equal opportunity to learn about and excel in computer science.

Working as a professor and with K-12 teachers has significantly altered her way of thinking about teaching students. Not only is she bringing her business acumen to Fence St. Louis, she is also bringing her passion for training the whole student to her role as co-founder of Fence St. Louis. This includes supporting Fence St. Louis in ways that it can grow and support students who may not even be aware of this wonderful sport or who may not think it is for them because of a disability, the color of their skin, or their gender.

As a mother of three amazing young women, Monica clearly recalls the countless times she brought her daughters to their music, dance, chess club, and so many other activities. She has a desire to make Fence St. Louis not only welcoming to new and returning fencers, but also to create a space where younger siblings and parents can feel welcome and respected while they patiently support their athlete.

Jonathon Hammond, Youth Assistant Coach (He/His)

Jonathon is our Youth Assistant Coach, and works with both the Youth class and our beginner summer camps. He enjoys coaching the youth at Fence St. Louis because both the fencers and their families are fantastic and fun. In his free time, Jonathon creates digital artwork and plays games with friends.