Salem News
March 28, 2008

On Tuesday nights, the Salem YMCA looks a lot like a movie set for "The Pirates of the Caribbean." There are dueling swordsmen all over the place.

It must bring back memories for Michael Tarascio, the fencing instructor. He signed up for fencing at the Salem YMCA when he was only a boy and went on to compete in the 1973 World Championships. He was 
part of a group of talented kids taught by the legendary Joe Pechinsky — a group that included two future Olympians, Scott Bozek and Sally Pechinsky.

Tarascio returned to Salem a few years ago, paid a visit to the Y and is now the fencing instructor. He also has his own protégé — Salem Y member Ryan Prince of Reading. The 15-year-old placed in a national competition recently in New York.

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