MADISON, N.J. – The Haverford College men's fencing team closed its fall semester schedule on a high note, going 5-0 to capture the team championship at Drew's Holiday Invitational over the weekend. The Fords' closest matchup of the day came when they prevailed 15-12 against host Drew's "A" team. In each of the other four rounds, the Fords recorded at least 20 bout victories.
Foil and sabre were each 6-3 against the best the host Rangers had to offer as both of these weapon squads won all five of their matchups. Those three setbacks against Drew were the only defeats the foilists took all afternoon as they secured 9-0 blankings during the other four rounds for a combined record of 42-3 on the afternoon. It was a total team effort for foil on Saturday with six different fencers earning individual victories. Aldis Gamble highlighted those efforts with an 11-1 record, including two victories against Drew. He was a perfect 3-0 against Florida, Drew "B," and Long Island University (LIU)-Post.
Jack Leighninger and Russell Rivera were also 2-1 against Drew in the day's key match. Leighninger was 8-1 overall, with 3-0 showings against Florida and Rutgers. First years Carter Langen and Alton Wiggers each went unblemished through their nine individual bouts, fencing against Rutgers, Drew "B," and LIU-Post. Yan Yan Xie was also undefeated, fencing only the opening against Florida.
Haverford's sabrists finished their day with 36 individual wins against just nine defeats. Sophomore John Hare was a perfect 15-0 as he fenced all five rounds on Saturday. Junior David Parker was 12-3 overall, securing two victories against Drew's finest, while adding clean sweeps against Florida, Drew "B," and LIU-Post. Co-captain Gabriel Braun won five bouts during his three turns in the lineup. Fencing just twice against Florida, he went 2-0 against the Gators with an additional two wins over Rutgers. Kagan Harris secured the other bout against Florida and secured two more wins against Drew "B," finishing his day with four victories.
The epee squad combined for a 28-17 record, including a 9-0 sweep of Rutgers. Kadan Lottick headlined those efforts with an 11-1 individual record. His day included two key victories over Drew "A," adding in three bout wins against Florida, Rutgers, and Drew "B." Co-captain Ian Wheeler was 8-4 on the afternoon. He won all three bouts against Rugters, adding two more wins to the team's total against Florida and LIU-Post. First year Adrian Ballard won six bouts at Drew, highlighted by a 3-0 record against Rutgers. Classmate Raynor Bond-Ashpole won a bout in three different rounds, concluding his day with three victories.
Men's fencing will now have an extended break over the holidays before returning to competition in the middle of January. Tuning up for the second half of the season with some of its most rigorous training over winter break, the Fords will return to the strips on Sunday, January 14 when they take part in the Penn State Invitational.
Team Standings
1. Haverford, 5-0
2. Drew "A," 3-1
3. Rutgers, 3-2
4. Florida, 2-3
5. Drew "B," 1-3
6. TCNJ, 0-5
***Note Drew "A" did not fence Drew "B"
Haverford Team Scores
Haverford def. Florida, 24-3
Epee: 6-3
Foil: 9-0
Sabre: 9-0
Haverford def. Rutgers, 24-3
Epee: 9-0
Foil: 9-0
Sabre: 6-3
Haverford def. Drew "A," 15-12
Epee: 3-6
Foil: 6-3
Sabre: 6-3
Haverford def. Drew "B," 23-4
Epee: 6-3
Foil: 9-0
Sabre: 8-1
Haverford def. LIU-Post, 20-7
Epee: 4-5
Foil: 9-0
Sabre: 7-2