Ramapo Fencers Nab Honors at Frosh-Soph Championship

The following Ramapo Fencing report was submitted by Coach Paul Apostol:

Ramapo hosted the Bergen-Passaic Fencing League Frosh-Soph Tournament for the 4th year in a row, hosting 225 fencers from 13 schools in the League. Even with the large number of boys and girls fencers, all the medals were awarded and everyone was on their way home by 5:15 p.m.

It was a tremendous opportunity for the freshmen and sophomores to gain a great deal of bouting experience, since many of them have limited opportunities to fence during the dual meet season.

The efforts that the upper class Ramapo fencers have made to help train Ramapo's younger fencers have certainly paid off. 

Freshman sabre fencer Adam Carcione won the gold, going undefeated in his division.

Sophomore sabreist Alex Gorloff, who had to leave right after the meet to fly to Salt Lake City, Utah to fence in the Junior Olympics, won the gold after a 14-1 record, with his only defeat coming at the hands of one of his Ramapo teammates.

Alex's team mate, Chris Muller finished second in the sophomore sabre division while Greg Duch finished 6th and first year fencer, sophomore Stephan Vazquez finished 23rd.

Ramapo's freshman foilists fenced hard against a more experienced field and earned a 7th place finish for Eric Sloezen, 9th for Nick Bonini, and 11th for John DeFalco. Sophomore foilists also had to battle for every bout, with Nick Carpino finishing 7th, Daniel H. Kim, 11th, Daniel J. Kim, 13th, Tim Lee 14th, and Eugene Won 18th.

Freshman epeeists did a great job as Matt Rizzo captured the silver medal, John Lim the bronze, Adam Polevoy 4th place and Chris Scavone 7th place.

Against a large field of very good fencers, Ramapo sophomore epeeists also fenced well as Matt Martone finished 4th, Edward Lim 6th, while Michael Daly finished 7th, narrowly missing advancement to the finals by one touch.

The next challenge for Ramapo fencers will be next Saturday, Feb., 25 at the NJ State Squad Championships, at North Hunterdon High School. The Ramapo Sabre Squad are the defending champions.

We hope to see all our fans at the State Championships next Saturday.

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

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