Fencing coach Ariana Klinkov: Dedicated to Cornell and the Groton community

Born in Manhattan, New York, Ariana Klinkov lived all over the country before she ended up here in Groton in 2020. Many know her as the head coach for women’s fencing at Cornell University, but here, she is best known as an involved member of the Groton community, along with her partner, Jesse Norton. Her journey here is fascinating.

“I spent summers in Manhattan with my dad, Joseph Klinkov,” Ariana said, “but my mom, Esterly, was an artist, and my stepfather, Fred Flores, was a drummer. He played for bands all over, so we moved around a lot.”

Ariana attended the McBurney School in New York City and was delighted to share that Henry Winkler and Johnny Marks (composer of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”) also attended that institution, but one of her own proudest moments was winning the Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest in sixth grade. Her academic focus was always on diplomatic and military history.

“I played volleyball, basketball and track and worked hard, but I was the worst at all of them,” Ariana said. “Academics were easy for me. Sports were tough, but I loved them. It just made me want to try harder and try as many sports as possible.”

From student to fencing coach

Ariana earned her bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in biology from SUNY Binghamton in 1993. As it happened, SUNY Binghamton boasts the only student-run ambulance service in the country, and Ariana decided to volunteer “because it was interesting, a challenge and a great way to meet people.” She acquired her EMT (emergency medical technician) license and worked on the ambulance throughout college.

“I loved it and researched colleges with paramedic programs. In one day, I left Binghamton, drove to Boston, rented an apartment and enrolled in the program at Northeastern University,” Ariana said. “I still hold that license today.”

Ariana began working in Boston, and her ambulance partner, David Blake, belonged to the Tanner City Fencing Club. Ariana immediately got involved, met the coach, Joe Pechinsky, and learned to fence, trying all three disciplines — foil, epee and sabre.

“Sabre for women was very new then,” Ariana explained. “Women in the area were holding a qualifier for the national championship and were short a person for their team and asked me to do it. I placed high enough to go. It was in Louisville, Kentucky in 1995. I took 24th place out of 86 in the individual event, and our team of three took first place. I had only fenced for eight months at that point, and I was hooked. Winning was an awesome feeling!”

In 1998, women’s sabre was adopted as an official national championship by theUnited States Fencing Association. Ariana placed sixth out of eight, and it was the first year women were allowed to earn an A rating. In 1999, she ranked 19th in the world — the first year it became a national event. She started refereeing sabre at that point and was the first woman in the world to get licensed as an international sabre referee.

“I started coaching the Concord-Carlisle High School fencing team in Boston in 2009,” Ariana said. “Next, I coached four years at Tufts University. I left with a 13-3 record and went on to coach at Wellesley College for five years and won the first-ever New England Women’s Championship Coach of the Year.”

Ariana makes her home in Groton

In 2019, Ariana was hired as Cornell University’s women’s fencing coach. She bought a house in Ithaca, and it was then that she met Norton, whom she hired to renovate it. They began dating and bought their home in Groton in 2020.

“I try to help Jesse [Norton] as much as possible on the Groton Community Business Association,” Ariana said. “A lot of community events require work, but if you have an idea here, the community will step up to help you make it happen.”

Ariana had the idea to hold a “build your own scarecrow” event last year. She and Norton built the frames for people to take, and she said many people got involved with donating the building materials and helping.

“There’s a lot to build on here,” Ariana said of Groton. “The more people step up, the more things will happen. My fencing team from Cornell came and volunteered for the dunk tank at Groton Olde Home Days, and I am planning a fencing camp for adult fencers at the Benn Conger Inn next year. It’s incredibly important to think of Groton as a place to bring people for events. Every person we talk to should hear about what’s here. People underestimate how small actions can have large impacts on communities. I adore the people in this community — across all generations!”

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Turkey dinner in McLean

The McLean Fire Department will host its 78th annual turkey dinner with all the trimmings and homemade pies on Sunday, Nov. 2 from 11:00 a.m. until gone at the McLean Fire Hall.

This will be a sit-down, all-you-can-eat dinner. Cost is $15 per adult, $14 per senior citizen and $7 per child aged 6-12. Children 5 and under may eat free of charge.

French Club craft show

The Groton High School French Club will host its annual craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at Groton Jr./Sr. High School, 400 Peru Rd.

This show has become one of the school’s biggest and most well-attended events of the year, with over 100 vendors with a variety of crafts and more! The French Club also offers concession stands for breakfast and lunch.

Southern gospel concert

The Rolling Hills Southern Gospel Quartet will perform at Groton City Church, 47 Groton City Rd., at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, accompanied by Marilyn Dominick. Light refreshments will follow. A free-will offering will be gratefully received.