Ramapo Fencers Post Quick Win in Season Opener

Ramapo High School started substituting fencers in the second round of its season-opening meet Monday but still clinched the match against Nyack High School at 14-5, en route to a 19-8 victory.

Nyack made five substitutions but Ramapo eventually took out its entire starting lineup, allowing 26 boys to fence at least one bout.  

Ramapo sabresists coasted to a 9-0 victory, demonstrating why they are considered by many to be among the strongest squads in the state. Junior Charles Copti, sabre squad captain, missed the meet for a competition in Atlanta, but senior and overall team captain Gaspar Lesznik stepped up to the A-strip and registered 5-0 and 5-2 victories.

Lesznik got plenty of help from Josh Chang and Eric Yoon, both of who won their bouts convincingly. Junior Taylor Valdez, senior Albert Kim and freshman Alex Gorloff also won their bouts 5-1, stepping in as third-round substitutes.

The epee squad, which features only one returning starter, turned in a better than expected 7-2 performance. 

Starters Anthony Sclafani, a junior, Scott Zeller, a junior, and James Schweighardt, a senior, each went 1-0. Second-round substitutes Sam Judd and Kevin Kim both went 1-0, with Kim winning 5-0 in approximately 45 seconds. Third-round subs Lucas Mastrangelo and Matt Martone each added a victory. 

Ramapo's foilists had a disappointing day, finishing with a 3-6 record.

Foil squad co-captain Chris Manobianco and Richard Oh each produced a first-round victory. The only other victory was in the third round when freshman Paul Noh started his Ramapo career with a strong 5-2 win. 

The 1-0 boys fencing squad will face Wayne Hills at 4 p.m. at home today.

Editor's note: Paul Apostol is coach of the Ramapo boys fencing team.