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Fencing Teams Impress at Vassar Invitational

Fencing Teams Impress at Vassar Invitational
Posted: Nov 14, 2022

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Haverford men's and women's fencing teams competed this past Sunday at the Vassar Invitational, the opening team tournament of the season.  

The men's team was led by an undefeated foil squad comprised of sophomore Jax Wittenberg and first-years Henry Fedonchik and Andrew Strayer. The incredible performance was the best in a decade for Ford foilists, as they took down Division I programs from Sacred Heart, Cleveland State, and Long Island University, Conference rivals Cornell, Drew, and Hunter, as well as Denison and the host Brewers. 

According to squad leader Wittenberg, "right from the start, we were all firing as three gears in one machine. We maintained a high energetic and psychological level throughout the whole day," which showed as the total individual win-loss record for the three amigos was 56-16, a nuanced exhibition by the youngest squad in the room.

The epee squad was also successful on the day, compiling wins against Sacred Heart, Denison, Long Island, and Cleveland State. Co-captains Edward Shin and Daniel Carvalho both finished in the black, with 11-9 and 12-10 records, respectively. The sabre squad, composed entirely of walk-ons, didn't defeat any opponents as a squad, but compiled strong individual wins against Hunter, Denison, and Cleveland State, led by sophomore Jack Greff with four total wins on the day. 
 
The women's team was led by the foil squad, winning matches against Vassar, Hunter, Lafayette, and Yeshiva. Sophomore phenom Sophie Gardiner led the charge with a 10-7 record, while junior Petra Budavari contributed six wins on the day.  However, for sheer grit and determination, the award goes to first-year walk-on Nina Chafee, who at 19 bouts on the day fenced the most of any on the squad and won four of them.  
 
First year epeeist Nina Hamilton tied Gardiner with ten wins to lead her squad, which went 3-5 on the day. A short-handed sabre squad-missing both an alternate to sub in, and with injuries to two of three starters- still managed 22 individual wins overall, showing a mental toughness that will pay off later in the season.
 
After the Thanksgiving break, both teams will host the D'Arnstein Invitational home meet on Saturday, Dec 3 inside Alumni Field House. Opponents will include conference rivals Johns Hopkins, Navy, William & Mary, and University of Maryland, as well as the Tri-Co's Swarthmore and Bryn Mawr.
 
Men's results
Sacred Heart def. Haverford, 17-10
Foil: 4-5
Epee: 4-5
Sabre: 9-0
 
Haverford def. Denison, 17-10
F: 9-0
E: 6-3
S: 2-7
 
Cornell def. Haverford 19-8
F: 4-5
E: 6-3
S: 9-0
 
Vassar def. Haverford 17-10
F: 2-7
E: 6-3
S: 9-0
 
Haverford def. Long Island, 16-11
F: 9-0
E: 7-2
S: 0-9
 
Drew def. Haverford, 19-8
F: 2-7
E: 8-1
S: 9-0
 
Cleveland State def. Haverford, 16-11
F: 4-5
E: 4-5
S: 8-1
 
Haverford def. Hunter, 25-2
F: 9-0
E: 9-0
S: 7-2
 
Women's results:
Vassar def. Haverford, 17-10
F: 4-5
E: 8-1
S: 5-4
 
Haverford def. Hunter, 17-10
F: 5-4
E: 5-4
S: 7-2
 
Lafayette def. Haverford, 16-11
F: 3-6
E: 6-3
S: 7-2
 
Tufts def. Haverford, 27-0
F: 9-0
E: 9-0
S: 9-0
 
Haverford def. Yeshiva, 26-1
F: 9-0
E: 8-1
S: 9-0
 
Drew def. Haverford, 15-12
F: 7-2
E: 2-7
S: 6-3
 
Denison def. Haverford, 23-4
F: 8-1
E: 7-2
S: 8-1
 
Wellesley def. Haverford, 20-7
F: 5-4
E: 8-1
S: 7-2
Scoreboard
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