Coaches | Staff
Our head coach and co-founder, Peter is a graduate of the National Academy of Physical Training and Sports in Romania, with over 35 years of competitive fencing experience. A five-time national champion, he represented Team Romania from 1989 to 1999. Fencing is a family legacy for Coach Habala—his mother was a two-time national champion, and his father, Dr. Peter Pal Habala, coached the Romanian National Team.
In addition to leading RedStar, he continues to compete locally and nationally, and has held the #1 U.S. Veteran ranking. He also serves as an assistant fencing coach at Northwestern University. Peter is fluent in English, Hungarian, and Romanian.
Charlie began fencing at age 8, training under world-class coaches Waldek Czaja, Hristo Etropolski, and Serhiy Berko. A successful youth fencer, he returned to the sport as an adult. He has medaled at every level of North American Cup and National Championship competition. He has held a top-15 US ranking, an FIE world ranking, and has represented the United States at Senior World Cups, including a bronze in Reykjavik in 2018.
Dexter began fencing at age 8. As a college freshman, he earned a starting position on Ohio State's fencing team, and subsequently a fencing scholarship. During his tenure under Vladimir Nazylmov, he helped Ohio State win 3 straight Midwest Conference Championships, and it's second Division 1 NCAA Championship in 2008. His collegiate awards include two Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Awards, and a nomination for the Big Ten Medal of Honor. Returning to the sport in 2013, he has since medaled at North American Cups, and competes at the Division 1 level.
Co-founder of RedStar Fencing Club Chicago, JG teaches beginner fencing and manages day-to-day operations. Fencing since 2001, she won a silver medal at the 2013 North American Cup in Veteran-40 Women’s Sabre, and held a top-10 US Veteran ranking.
RedStar students have achieved High School State Championship and Great Lakes Fencing Conference Championship titles, numerous medals at North American Cups, Junior Olympics and National Championships, national rankings, and spots on NCAA Division 1 teams.