Both the Boys and Girls Fencing teams kicked off the season with impressive performances, securing dominant victories in their opening matches @ Mendham. The boys clinched a commanding 20-7 win, while the girls edged out a 14-13 victory. Both teams demonstrated depth, skill and resilience as they showed their talents on the strip.
“I’m definitely happy with such a strong start,” said senior Alex Power, reflecting on his performance. “I think everyone contributed to the energy we had, and I’m especially happy with how the boys supported each other throughout the meet.”
The boys powered through their match, clinching the 20-7 victory with a series of strong performances. The saber squad started strong, with both Power and junior Andrew Walker recording impressive wins.
The foil team also showed depth, with Zach Weiss securing three wins, including a 5-1 victory in his final bout. “It was a great team effort, and everyone really stepped up today,” Weiss said. “We’ve been training hard, and it showed in how we fenced.”
The epee team was equally dominant, with senior Alex Zelley earning two key wins. “The team worked together well, and our energy was high,” he said. “We all pushed each other to give our best effort.”
The match was effectively sealed when Power’s win brought the boys team to a 14-5 lead. “We knew it was up to us to keep the momentum going, and we did just that,” Weiss said. The final 20-7 score gave the boys a solid start to the season.
The girls team delivered a thrilling performance, clinching a14-13 victory. The saber squad made an early impact, with juniors Cassidy Chaudhari and Sophie Visser posting impressive wins. Chaudhari, who went 3-0, was the standout. “It feels nice to make an important contribution to the team,” she said. “The team’s main goal was to put our best foot forward and stay positive. I’m very happy with our win.”
The foil squad, led by senior Alyssa Cullen, kept the girls in contention. Cullen, who went 2-1 on the day, contributed a crucial 5-1 win in her final bout to secure the 14th victory for the team. “While every meet outcome reflects the performance of all our fencers, our saber squad truly stood out,” Cullen said.
Senior Maeve Barry’s perfect 2-0 performance in epee was another key factor in the win. “The epee team did great today,” she said after the match. “Even when someone lost a bout, they would come off the strip and figure out what they need to work on.”
The match was neck-and-neck throughout, but Cullen’s decisive victory sealed the win for the girls.
Both teams now head into the season with confidence. The boys’ decisive 20-7 win sets a strong tone for the season, while the girls’ 14-13 victory highlights their resilience and potential. With their opening bouts behind them, both teams are eager to continue improving and building momentum as they prepare for their next match.
KEY RESULTS
Boys
- Saber
Ritvik Thota: 1-2
Alex Power: 3-0
Andrew Walker: 3-0 - Foil
Weston King: 1-1
Ryan Walker: 2-0
Zach Weiss: 3-0
Daniel Perez: 0-1
Ryan Ariemma: 1-0 - Epee
Vishwaksai Gunna: 2-0
Max Ting: 0-1
Alex Zelley: 2-0
Bodhi Kolankowski: 1-1
Harsh Magdum: 0-1
Devin Flanders: 1-0
Girls
- Saber
Bionca Bondulich: 1-1
Cassidy Chaudhari: 3-0
Sophie Visser: 3-0
Andrea Gil: 0-1 - Foil
Ranya Preetanchal: 0-1
Sophie Shluper: 1-2
Alyssa Cullen: 2-1
Veda Mahamkali: 0-1
Sophia Perez: 0-1 - Epee
Julie Perez: 0-3
Medha Mahamkali: 2-0
Maeve Barry: 2-0
Parmitha Mudipalli: 0-1
Eliza Cassar: 0-1
