Meet Ben Wieder, College senior and captain of the Penn men’s fencing team and former member of the Junior National Team. Not just another jock, Ben balances his practice schedule with his studies in the Vagelos Progam and is submatriculating to receive his masters in physics. Touché.
Street: Have your fencing skills ever been useful in a real-world fight? Ben Wieder: They’d probably be more of a detriment than anything else. And I’d kind of look like an idiot trying to use them, so I’d get made fun of on top of getting beaten up.
Street: When you’re not fencing, you’re most likely.... BW: Watching terrible '80s movies. Things like The Fly and Earth Girls Are Easy. Actually, those are Jeff Goldblum movies. Yeah, okay, I’m probably most likely to be watching a Jeff Goldblum movie.
Street: Tell us your most outrageous fencing story. BW: After a tournament in Slovakia, my dad and I were waiting in an elevator when one of my refs and a young girl walked in. I noticed that the girl’s all over this guy, and I turn to my dad and say, “Hey, that guy’s daughter is really friendly.” My dad looks over and goes, “Son…” And that’s the first time I saw a prostitute.
Street: Most underrated thing about Penn? Overrated? BW: Overrated: Wharton. Underrated: Club Atlantis.
Street: What was your last purchase? BW: Gatorade, a protein bar, and a Playboy. For the articles.
Street: You’re walking into a room full of friends and people you haven’t met. What is playing in the background? BW: “Weird Science” by Oingo Boingo.
Street: What’s one of your guilty pleasures? BW: Eating a lot. I ate 11 and a half hot dogs at the last Phillies game I was at.
Street: Who is the coolest person you have ever met? BW: Penn’s assistant coach Iosif Vitebskiy. He was a five-time world champion for the Soviet Union and was in some sort of special forces. He’s in his mid-70s and is in better shape than half the team. He’s been stabbed five times in fencing-related accidents. Iosif alternates between glaring disapprovingly and offering us tea and candy.
