Fencing takes seventh at MACFA Championships
Kristen Greaney
Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: Sports
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Lafayette's epee squad placed sixth while the foil and sabre squads each took eighth. For the first time in six years, Lafayette fencers advanced to the individual final rounds. The last time was in 2004 when Brendan O'Dea '07 and Tom Gaunter '04 made the finals.
Noah Weiner '12 made it into the individual finals after defeating his Epee c-strip pool. Once in the finals, he took the number one seed from Haverford into overtime, but was eventually defeated 15-14 in the one-minute sudden victory period. Darrell Washington '13 also made it into the individual finals in the sabre, but an a-strip Haverford fencer defeated him 15-10.
For those confused about exactly what the three events are, Fencing Captain Banks Clark '10 explains the three styles. "Foil is a more classic fencing style," he said, adding that involves only touching the opponent with the tip of the weapon and only on the torso and back.
He said epee is a simpler version that has more straightforward rules with opponents striving to touch an opponent with the tip of the weapon first, on any part of the body.
Clark said sabre involves touching the opponent with not only the tip of the weapon, but also the blade, and any part of the body above the waist is fair game.
Lafayette College Fencing is considered a coed varsity sport, which, according to team members, makes for an interesting dynamic. "Lafayette's fencing team is a co-ed team-this means that every member, male or female, is coded to compete against male fencers by the NCAA," Bridget Greeley '12 said. "We are the only varsity team in the nation that has a co-ed team. We have been trying to start a woman's team but with a lack of funding and interest it has been very difficult."
Clark said that the Leopards' top competition includes Drew, Haverford, Stevens and Johns Hopkins, although JHU was not at the MACFA championships this year.
Thanks to the strong performances of underclassman, Clark said he has high hopes for upcoming years. "This being my last year, I look forward to the team taking home the conference championship next year," he said. "I know that they have the potential, the commitment and the talent to beat anyone and everyone."
Clark also said he expects the epee team to exhibit strong improvements. " In particular, I look forward to the epee squad's completing the business left unfinished by last weekend's stumble," he said. "I am the only senior on epee squad, and the other four guys, and one girl, are all amazingly talented and equipped to improve on this year's MACFA performance."
Greely also said she is optimistic the team will improve next season. "Our first year starters, Lisa DeJoseph and Jane Liu, have certainly made a name for themselves as they defeated difficult male opponents this past weekend," she said. "Hopefully the success of the Lafayette women at the tournament will enable our dream for a women's team to become a reality."