Three Village Fencers Win at Nationals

After finishing the 2009-2010 school year undefeated, members of the Ward Melville fencing teams along with some local Three Village residents headed to Atlanta for some national competition.

The USA Fencing Summer National Championships took place from July 4 through July 13 and was a medal rush for the local athletes.

"This year we really took a big step forward," Ward Melville boys fencing coach Jeff Salmon said. "We won more medals than we've ever had before."

Leading the charge was Setauket resident Tommy Gerrity. Winning the gold medal, Gerrity was named national champion in Division II Sabre.

"It was a struggle," he said. "At one point I was ranked 26th in the group, but I pulled through. The competition was tough, but I had plenty of support. My teammates, my family, they were all there for me." 

For Demi and Alexa Antipas the tournament was a family affair. Aside from the sisters, their drive down included their father and brother. Alexa, an All-Long Island sabre fencer, scored a silver medal in Division II women's sabre and a bronze in the Youth-14 women's sabre.

Fencing on the Ward Melville varsity squad at just 14 years old, Alexa had higher goals in mind for Nationals.

"I've never had a gold," she said. "I was very disappointed to take silver…but rewarding because I worked so hard. To see how I did at this years nationals makes me want to work harder and get a gold next year."

The camaraderie was a big boost for the team.

"We love hanging out as a team. We're like a big family," Alexa Antipas said.

Her sister Demi Antipas, winner of the 8th place medal in Division II women's sabre, agreed.

"It's really a team event," she said. "We had a lot of fun going out to dinner as a team...being together."

Laura Barger prevailed over some past difficulties to win a bronze medal in the Women's Division II sabre event.

"She had a bit of tough luck [in the past]," Salmon said. "She had some bad draws. This tournament she had the chance to show her fencing ability. She's a rising star. She earned a lot of attention and will be a top recruit next year."

Jay Petrie fought his way to a silver medal in the Men's Division II foil, his second national medal, although he may have performed his best in an event where he didn't win a medal. In the Under-19 event. Salmon said he "had a better performance but without the result. To make the cut against some great college fencers is impressive."