Jared Shackelford started fencing in Seattle after watching his brother fence, and liking the idea of stabbing other people. He was first a foilist, but being 6'2", he realized he was better suited to epee. He moved to Texas, and fenced for quite a few clubs, starting with FIT, then moving to LoneStar Fencing, then to the Grapevine fencing Club, which later became Gold Blade. He now fences for the Brandeis University Fencing Team, and constantly confuses them with his bizarre stature as a left-handed french grip user.

                                                        Jared Shackelford