Competitive fencing, where victory is decided by fractions of a second and millimeters of steel. It demands precision, agility, and an unyielding will to win. For local Paralympian Garrett Schoonover (Paris, 2024), his determination to reach the international stage is a story of courage and resilience.
Garrett’s path to becoming an elite athlete was anything but ordinary. A life-altering motorcycle accident in 2017 left him with a permanent disability, a necessary amputation due to infection, of his left leg above the knee, a moment that could have defined his limits. Instead, it ignited his spirit. At the time, Garrett was completing his education in Los Angeles, getting a degree in opera.
However, Garrett’s aspirations took an unexpected turn during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many, he faced significant challenges in the job market, with opportunities in the performing arts dwindling as the world shut down. Rather than being deterred, Garrett used this time to pivot toward a new calling. Garrett moved back to Utah and, drawing on his own experiences, began coaching new amputees during their recovery, helping them adapt to their new circumstances. This work not only allowed him to connect deeply with others but also solidified his role as an advocate for individuals with disabilities. During this endeavor, Garrett met the person who would introduce him to parafencing.
"I had never fenced before my injury," Garrett explained. "I went to my first practice in November of 2021, and I was hooked immediately. A few months later, I competed in my first national event and brought home two bronzes."
Wheelchair fencing requires immense upper body strength, lightning-fast reflexes, and a sharp tactical mind. Having served in the Army for eight years, Garrett was no stranger to hard work, rigorous training and grit. He practices two to three times a week and attends training camps twice a year, a discipline that has forged him into a formidable opponent on the piste. Garrett works a lot on building muscle memory.
"Wheelchair fencing requires a frame that you are locked into," Garrett explained. "Because we are lunging so hard and retreating so fast, that if we weren't locked down to something heavy, we would fall every single time. You are always in striking distance, so you don't get much of an opportunity to relax your arm. The distance you create is how you set up your attacks."
His list of achievements clearly reflects his hard work. With numerous medals and impressive performances at international World Cups, Garrett has established himself as a force in the sport. Representing his country at the Paralympic Games was the culmination of years of sacrifice and a moment of immense pride.
"Competing in the Paralympics was fantastic, I got to bring my family with me," Garrett shared. "Being in Paris was amazing, the volunteers, the venue, everything was incredible. Getting to fence before a crowd of ten thousand people was pretty awesome."
Garrett attributes other elements of his success to the support of the Utah Fencing Foundation. The organization has played a vital role in making it financially feasible for him to pursue his passion for the sport. "It is, unfortunately, a prohibitively expensive sport. The foundation has helped with purchasing equipment, tournament fees, travel and lodging," Garrett explained. The foundation’s efforts ensure that athletes from all walks of life have access to the resources and opportunities required to excel in the sport.
Yet, Garrett’s impact extends far beyond his personal accolades. Here at home, he is a fitter of orthotics and assists in the fabrication of prosthetics at the Prosthetic Clinic in Murray.
Garrett Schoonover’s story is not just about winning medals. It’s about redefining what’s possible. He is more than a Paralympian; he is a community champion, a mentor, and a powerful symbol of resilience. Watch for Garrett in the 2028 Olympic Games; he hopes to qualify!
"I hope people will see this as a fun sport; it is like a chess match with movements."