Ramapo Fencers Dominate Passaic Valley

The following report was contributed by  boys fencing head coach Paul Apostol: 

Ramapo starters were still not quite recovered from their exertions at the from which they did not return home until 10:30 p.m. Nevertheless, they used the skills that served them so well at Cetrulo to sweep easily the first round, 9-0. All 9 starters were replaced by the first wave of Ramapo substitutes who brought the score to 16-2. Then these fencers were replaced by another wave of 8 substitutes, nearly all freshmen, who went 6-3 to bring the final score to 22-5.

A total of 26 Ramapo fencers got to compete in varsity bouts. Typically, our opposing teams have 9 to 12 fencers that get to compete.

Ramapo sabreists went 9-0. Starters, seniors Charles Copti and Josh Chang —and freshman Adam Carcione (the same trio who, with an assist from sophomore Alex Gorloff, won the gold at Cetrulo,) breezed through the first round. Second round subs, Alex Gorloff, senior Taylor Valdez, and sophomore Gregory Duch similarly dispatched their opponents, with Alex and Greg winning by convincing 5-1 scores.

Third round sabreists, sophomores Chris Muller and Stephan Vazquez, who fenced his first varsity bout of the season; and freshman Dan Carione all fenced well to defeat their Passaic Valley opponents.

The Ramapo epee squad produced a strong 7-3 record even though two of their starters Kevin Zellers, who is ill, and Anthony Sclafani, who is injured, did not fence.

Junior Sam Judd and sophomores Michael Daly and Edward Lim showed that they were up to the task of competing without their usual starters as they easily swept all three of their bouts.

Second round substitutes junior Anthony Ferrer and freshman John Lim, as well as third round substitutes sophomore Matt Martone and freshman Matt Rizzo all contributed one victory to achieve the final 7-2 score.

The epee squad continues to improve and produce superior results as reflected in their 6^th place finish at Cetrulo, the best result for Ramapo epeeists in ten years.

Green Raider foilists also did a good job with their 6-3 performance, including first round victories by sophomores Tanner Frank and Tyler Clarke, and sophomore Nick Carpino, all of whom won their bouts convincingly with 5-2 scores. Second round substitutes, sophomores Tim Lee and Daniel H. Kim also had strong 5-2 and 5-1 victories. Third round sub, freshman John DeFalco contributed the final victory for the squad.

Our next meet is this Thursday, Jan. 12, at 4:00 p.m. at home against Don Bosco.

There has always been an intense rivalry between Don Bosco and Ramapo.

Two years ago, Don Bosco beat Ramapo for the first time, making it Ramapo’s only loss to a Bergen-Passaic League opponent in the last 9 years. That year the League had been split into two divisions and we were in opposite divisions so Ramapo still won the League Championship in its division but it was nevertheless a bitter pill.

Last year Ramapo got revenge by defeating Don Bosco 16-11, but a number of unruly Don Bosco parents quite vocally expressed their displeasure with the outcome. Don Bosco likes to intimidate their opponents by filling the gallery with their vociferous fans so this would be a good time for any parents that can make it to come and back up the team.

Contact Coach Paul Apostol at 201-891-6208 or pdapostol@optonline.net.

Prior Meets:
Nyack 17-10(14-3)
Wayne Hills 15-12(14-7)
Teaneck 20-7(14-4)
Mendham 11-16 (11-14)
Gov. Livingston 12-14 (10-14)
Fair Lawn 17-10(14-5)
West Milford 20-7(14-3)