The honorable lifestyle of an Air Force cadet leaves no room for lying, cheating or unsportsmanlike behavior. Air Force fencing student-athlete Peter French followed the spirit and letter of that high, but very clear, standard during a critical competition earlier this year, earning the respect of his opponent and recognition from the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct.

French was named as a divisional winner and one of six finalists – one male and one female from each division – for the 2008 NCAA Sportsmanship Award.

When French faced Thomas Masmejean of France for a spot in the round of eight of the Junior Men’s Epee World Cup in Switzerland in January of this year, he was vying for more than a win at a prestigious international event. He was also competing to qualify as a member of the United States Junior World Championships Team. In fact, both French and his opponent needed a victory to earn berths on their respective World Cup teams.

Near the climax of the tightly contested bout, French struck the floor in a failed attempt to hit Masmejean’s foot. The director didn’t see the floor touch and awarded French a point. In an unusual gesture in an international bout, French immediately asked to have the point removed from his score. In response, a surprised Masmejean, who had hit the floor earlier in the bout but accepted the point, thanked French for his demonstration of sportsmanship before the match continued.

“In the United States, I definitely would expect my opponent to do the same, but World Cups are different,” said French. “The value of a good result is very high and doing whatever it takes to win is not looked down upon. Basically, in all of my international tournaments, I have never had an opponent admit to hitting the floor.”

However, just a few touches later, when Masmejean registered an accidental floor touch of his own, the Frenchman acknowledged the mistake. The competitors exchanged mutual nods of thanks before once again engaging in the bout. Afterward, French said when he and Masmejean shook hands, they let each other know they were thankful for the other’s acknowledgment.

This story ends happily for French, who went on to win the bout, ultimately finish third in the competition and earn selection to the world team. But, he sees a larger lesson in the experience.

“When you love a sport, true victory can’t be achieved if you cheat. If I had won the bout and cheated, I would have known I was not the better fencer,” he said. “Winning is a glorious feeling, but knowing you did the right thing is always the most satisfying.”

As for his recognition as a divisional winner of the NCAA Sportsmanship Award, French said the honor is a reminder to do the right thing. “It is an honor to receive the award, but I hope to use it as a reminder to always act like a sportsman no matter what’s at stake.”

French is a senior systems engineering major at Air Force.

Central Washington softball student-athlete Mallory Holtman and the St. John Fisher baseball program were chosen as the overall winners of the 2008 NCAA Sportsmanship Award. This is the ninth year for the honor, which recognizes student-athletes who have demonstrated one or more of the ideals of sportsmanship, including fairness, civility, honesty, unselfishness, respect and responsibility, through their actions in the competitive arena of intercollegiate athletics. Recipients are selected by the NCAA Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct.

Click here to read about Latasha Jarrett, a divisional sportsmanship winner from Hartford. Click here to read about Einar Often, a divisional sportsmanship award winner from Alaska Fairbanks. For coverage of the sportsmanship award winners from Central Washington and St. John Fisher, click here.