MEN'S SABRE
HARVARD
FRESHMAN
Qualified for 2009 NCAAs after runner-up finish at Northeast Regional
Entered the 2009 Northeast Regional as the region's #3 seed
IFA Championships: Placed 7th
Ivy League Championships: Tied for 2nd
College Coach: Peter Brand
Staller's Current Rankings
FIE/World Junior (u-21): #63
USFA/National Senior (overall): #17
USFA/National Junior (u-21): #7
Birthplace: New York, New York
Current Hometown: Old Field, New York
High School: Phillips Exeter Academy (N.H.)
Fencing Club: Prise de Fer (Billerica, MA; 2004-2008)
Club Coach: Ariana Klinkov
Fences: Righthanded
Height: 5-9
Updated Biography (from www.gocrimson.com)
GETTING TO KNOW VALENTIN STALLER ...
Nickname: "Baller Staller"
High School's Nickname (colors): "Phillips Exeter Big Red (red and white)"
Favorite College Class: "Wit and Humor. I like it because we spend time discussing why things are funny, but more importantly, because a third of the fencing team is in the class."
Why did you choose your college?: "In regards to fencing, I really liked the coach, Peter Brand, and I had heard great things about the team dynamic. I was also heavily attracted to the Harvard Film Archive, which is one of the country's best places to see old, restored films."
What do you most like about being a student-athlete at your school?: "My teammates are awesome, because they're some of my best friends here and I get to see them every day."
What would be your dream job?: "An executive at a Hollywood movie studio."
How did you get started in fencing?: "When I was in middle school, I heard about tryouts for the high school fencing team. On a whim, i stayed after school and decided to go for it. I was almost cut though, because I missed a few of the tryouts. If I had been cut, I definitely would not be fencing today."
Do you have any family ancestry from a traditional fencing country?: "My dad's grandparents emigrated from what is now Ukraine."
Do you have any relatives who have competed in college or pro sports, other than fencing?: "My dad [Cary Syaller] sailed at UPenn and captained the team to an Ivy League Championship his junior year."
Who are your former coaches: "Jeff Salmon at Mission Fencing Center on Long Island (2003-2004); Ariana Klinkov at Prise de Fer in Billerica, MA (2004-2008)."
Who have been the key influences on your fencing career?: "I learned to love the sport because of my first coach, Jeff Salmon. Ariana Klinkov, my coach throughout high school, spent a great deal of time and really taught me how to fence. My dad, Cary, supports me unconditionally and helps me stay motivated."
What are three words that best describe your college head coach?: "Motivating, Hilarious, and Unpredictable."
Do you have any pre-bout rituals or superstitions?: "I always try to eat eggs before a competition."
How would you describe this college season (for you and your team)?: "This season has been amazing. Collegiate fencing has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life so far. I'm looking forward to three more years of it."
List your present/former teammates who will be fencing in the NCAAs for other teams: "Lucas Janson (Stanford): We trained together at Mission Fencing Center until 2007. I used to train with Columbia's Jeff Spear at Prise de Fer, until 2006."
Who is your favorite international/national-team fencer?: "Keeth Smart, because of his unbelievable performance at the Olympics this summer."
What do you like most about college fencing?: "I like fencing for more than just myself. The added pressure of having a team behind me is exhilarating."
What would you change about college fencing?: "I don't like that sabre bouts are so short. I wish they were longer, because sometimes it feels like anything can happen in a 5-touch bout."
If you were to play another sport on the collegiate level, what would it be?: "Hockey. It is a great combination of skill and athleticism."
How long would you like to continue fencing on a competitive level?: "Definitely through college, and maybe afterwards too."
What is your favorite college fencing roadtrip and why?: "Penn State Open. With our first roadtrip of the year being such a long drive, I felt that it was a great time to get to know the other people on the team."
Favorite cities where you have fenced at an event?: "I loved it when Summer Nationals were in Miami Beach, because of the beautiful weather. Hartford, Connecticut, was great too, because it was so close to home!"
Favorite/most memorable fencing moment?: "Finishing 3rd at the Div1 North American Cup in Colorado Springs (December '08). I was fencing very well that day, and it was my best result to date."
Most embarrassing moment on the fencing strip: "At nationals in my last year of cadets, I was winning a bout 14-8 to make the top -6, and I ended up losing 15-14. It was pretty embarrassing to keep making the same stupid mistake, effectively giving my opponent the win."
Favorite pro sports teams/athletes: "[soccer player] Cristiano Ronaldo"
Favorite Food: "Sushi"
Favorite TV Show and/or Movie: "The Graduate and How I Met Your Mother"
Favorite Actor: "Robert DeNiro"