MADISON, N.J. - The Haverford College men's fencing team has made a habit of winning the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association (MACFA) team title as it claimed the trophy for the third consecutive year on Sunday after a day of championship competition at Drew University.
The Fords overcame rivals Drew University and Stevens Institute of Technology, which finished second and third, respectively, to finish first out of the field of 15.
Senior captain Andrew Bostick captured the gold medal in the individual epee contest, downing West Point's Marvin Hargraves, 15-9. Bostick and his epee squadmates Lee Flaherty and James Nieuwland (last year's individual champion) excelled as a group, placing second in the epee squad results overall.
Battling his way to the silver medal in the individual foil, freshman standout Max Findley eventually fell to Drew's James Weiss, 15-13. Findley had a strong day overall as he went undefeated in team play, defeating both Weiss and rival Jorge Rojas of Stevens, 5-4.
Joining his foil squadmates Sam Levinson and Lawrence Wang, Findley helped Haverford captured the MACFA foil squad championship for the first time since 1983.
The Fords' young sabre squad, led by junior Linus Marco's 50 percent record in the "A" slot, placed eighth.
Haverford, as a team, set the tone early in the day topping Stevens Institute, 5-4, in the third round. Keeping their focus and determination all day, the Fords topped every opponent but one in the gruelling endurance test of the 14-round competition. Having downed Drew University, 6-3, in the ninth round, Haverford remained steady until falling to William and Mary in the final round.
The Fords, adding another notable achievement on the day, qualified the most athletes to the individual rounds, with all three foilists and two epeeists making the cut.
Haverford now heads to Lafayette College for the NCAA regional championships on Saturday.