Fencing Back in Full Swing

The Haverford men's and women's fencing teams competed this past Saturday at the Penn state invitational, taking on some of the best NCAA Division I teams in the country. The men's team then traveled to Drew University on Sunday for a second tournament in as many days, completing a grueling weekend that challenged the heart, soul and conditioning of the team. The men's team emerged from this crucible of competition reborn in spirit, intensity and purpose. On Saturday at the Penn State Invitational, the Haverford women defeated NCAA Division I varsity rival Cleveland State University by a score of 17–10. Standouts on the women’s team included senior captain Halli Melnitsky and sophomore Emma Buckingham, who each posted a cumulative record of 13–5 on the day. Also achieving the 13–5 mark on the men’s side was freshman phenom Remy Olson. According to coach Christopher Spencer, “Several of our fencers proved this weekend that they have what it takes to qualify to the NCAA Regional Championships. But the Penn State Invitational is about as difficult as the Regionals itself; Buckingham, Melnitsky and Olson demonstrated that they have good chances to go all the way to the NCAA National Championships.” On Sunday, the men’s team arrived at Drew University to beat Cornell, Rutgers, and Lafayette College. Princeton University, a perennial contender for NCAA Champion status, proved too much for the Fightin’ Fords, as did the teams from West Point (U.S. Military Academy) and host Drew. However, the narrow loss to Drew (12–15) finally showed the Fords fencing to their potential, despite the exhaustion of two days of travel and competition. Drew had a much more difficult time defeating Haverford than other teams that they had dominated, including UNC-Chapel Hill, Army, and Johns Hopkins. “The Haverford fencers realized that they can beat teams on that level,” according to Coach Spencer. “We came away from this weekend knowing exactly what we have to work on to defend our MACFA Championship from last year. Our primary importance is winning the 4-all bouts; many bouts this weekend were lost by only one touch. If this trend is reversed then we have a good chance to fend off newcomer to the league UNC, as well as Drew and Johns Hopkins, both of whom have improved since last year.” Team Scores: Penn State Invitational (Jan. 26) Women (Sabre, Foil, Epee) Penn 20, Haverford 7 (6-3, 9-0, 5-4) UNC 20, Haverford 7 (7-2, 8-1, 5-4) Temple 20, Haverford 7 (6-3, 9-0, 5-4) Haverford 17, Cleveland St. 10 (4-5, 6-3, 7-2) Men (Sabre, Foil, Epee) Penn 22, Haverford 5 (6-3, 9-0, 7-2) UNC 17, Haverford 10 (6-3, 8-1, 3-6) Cleveland St. 16, Haverford 11 (3-6, 6-3, 7-2) Johns Hopkins 17, Haverford 10 (7-2, 6-3, 5-4) Drew Invitational (Jan. 27) (Sabre, Epee, Foil) Haverford 16, Rutgers 11 (4-5, 7-2, 5-4) Haverford 17, Cornell 10 (5-4, 5-4, 7-2) Haverford 23, Lafayette 4 (8-1, 7-2, 8-1) USMA 15, Haverford 12 (6-3, 7-2, 2-7) Princeton 23, Haverford 4 (7-2, 8-1, 8-1) Drew 15, Haverford 12 (4-5, 6-3, 5-4)