Iron Curtain fall leads to fencer's rise

Penn's Agnieszka Gromulska, raised in Poland, has found her niche at Penn after transferring from Virginia. Entering a bout against a fencer raised behind the Iron Curtain might cause most opponents to tremble in anticipation of a machine-like competitor, trained from birth to do nothing other than fence. But Penn's Agnieszka Gromulska, born and raised in Warsaw, Poland, and a senior on the women's fencing team, hardly fits these stereotypes. Gromulska, who transferred to Penn after a difficult freshman year at the University of Virginia, is hardly a one-dimensional athlete. In fact, despite the opportunity to spend her youth doing little more than fencing, Gromulska chose to expand her horizons. "There are sports-only high schools in Poland where you don't pass from grade to grade if you don't do well in your sport," Gromulska said. "But I wanted more." While attending regular Polish schools, she began fencing through a local club at the age of 12. Her initial training was grounded more in a desire to stay in shape than to succeed specifically in fencing, but Gromulska's formidable determination and talent soon sent her as high as No. 18 among youth fencers in Poland. But for this young fencer, life before college was dominated by an event of far greater magnitude than any athletic endeavor -- Poland's transition from communism to capitalism. The transition was more than just a distant academic concept to her, as Gromulska's parents were actively involved in her country's underground Solidarity movement. And though she was barely out of elementary school at the time, Gromulska actually helped put up posters when Poland held its first free elections. "It was only thanks to the Solidarity movement that I was able to come here to school," Gromulska said. "Otherwise it would be very difficult to go outside the country." Gromulska's desire to come to America for college started when she participated in an exchange program during her junior year in high school in Poland. The program, which landed her in West Virginia, led to her choosing to go to college in America. At the University of Virginia, however, college life proved to be less fun than Gromulska had imagined. "I didn't like it there partly because the campus was in a small city which was too much of a change from Warsaw," Gromulska said. "I also felt people there were not very open or laid back, whereas people at Penn are much friendlier." Additionally, Gromulska's desire to study business was not fully realized at UVA, where admission to the undergraduate business school is not allowed until the third year. Gromulska said she finds Wharton a better academic fit -- she is engrossed in Finance and Strategic Management, which she has enjoyed since her visit to America. But academics were not Gromulska's only reason for transferring. UVA's fencing program consists only of a club team that does not compete at the NCAA level. Without a varsity team on which to compete, Gromulska took a year off from fencing. After arriving at Penn, where the fencing program is consistently in the top 10, Gromulska re-entered the world of fencing with a passion. Now she couldn't be happier with her decision. "I really like the team, the people are very supportive of one another and take their fencing very seriously," Gromulska said. "It's a perfect atmosphere in which to train." And fortunately for Penn, Gromulska's happiness has led to a successful career. A reliable member of the starting team since her first year as a Quaker, Gromulska missed a bid at the NCAA championships by the slimmest of margins during her sophomore year. Last season Gromulska finally made it to the NCAA tournament -- to which only the top 24 fencers in the nation are invited -- and placed 17th. This season, Gromulska's last at Penn, will be her most important as the women's team struggles with depth problems. "There's no such thing as somebody else's job this year," Penn fencing coach Dave Micahnik said. "But Jagna gives it all she's got and has always been successful." Indeed, Gromulska gives it all she's got in more than just fencing, serving as the president of the Wharton Europe Club and attending church as often as her fencing schedule allows. Beyond that, say her friends, Gromulska also manages to have a strong social life. "She's awesome," said her roommate, Gabriela Gryger. "She brings a smile to everybody's face." The outgoing Gromulska, then, is far from a cold-blooded fencing machine. Just don't tell her competition.