Columbia High School Girls Fencing Team Honored

En garde, state champions.

The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders honored the Columbia High School Girls Fencing Team during its meeting at the South Orange Performing Arts Center on May 27.

Columbia had won the 2015 State Championship on February 25, 2015, when it defeated Pingry High School, 17-10, its third title in the last four years, and the program’s 12th since 1998.

“You probably don’t know it, but Freeholder [Wayne] Richardson and I have been traveling around the County for the last three months taking credit for your accomplishments,” joked Freeholder President Britnee Timberlake.

“Although it’s been confirmed many times before, 2015 proved yet again that Columbia is the epicenter of fencing excellence in the State of New Jersey,” stated Freeholder Richardson. “Let’s not forget just how close the Boys’ Team came - 1 point - to repeating as state champions. So let’s send our congratulations to the guys for their great season as well.”

According to a release, team members included: Seniors Celia Accardi, Katherine Hilton, Mita Huq, Blessing Olaode, Abigail Rothman and Charlotte Cramer (Manager); Juniors Nina Kambili, Brigid Lynch, Natalie Martinez, Abigail Merelman, Abigail Schneider and Samantha Viqueira; Sophomores Luz Aguba, Julian Bowne, Iquivia Brassington, Jennifer Crimaldi, Maya DeMarzino, Hanae Garrison, Eve Greenberg, Andrea Horcasitas, Talia Knutsen, Katya Kolluri, Sarah Mantus, Matilda McDougall, Stephanie Molokwu, Camille Pham, Sophie Saydah, Laura Spanier, Gabrielle Tazewell and Marissa Viqueira; and Freshmen Cecilia Banks, Briana Brown, Tara Brown, Julia Cataneo, Ana Cowie, Sophia Heriveaux, Roshana Hyppolite, Noelle Jamison, Georgia Longstreet, Toyibat Osho, Maya Schnall, Audrey Stathakis, Brianna Stellini, Isabelle Wendt and Talia White.

The team was coached by Tiffini Ginlock and Daryl White.

Photo courtesy of Glen Frieson

Photo caption: Pictured above with the Columbia High School Girls Fencing Team are Freeholder Wayne Richardson (1st row, far left), Freeholder Patricia Sebold (1st row, far right), Freeholder President Britnee Timberlake (2nd row, far right) and Coach Tiffini Ginlock (back row, far left).