Men's fencing displays depth in 25-2 win over Stevens Tech

In the depths of reading period, the men's fencing team still found time to slice themselves away from their studies to bolster their record with a resounding victory against Hoboken's Stevens Technical Institute.

In what would be a nearly perfect match, the Tigers defeated Stevens Tech 25-2. In their first major bout in over a month, Princeton simply outclassed Stevens Tech. The mismatched event, while helping improve the Tigers already impressive record, also gave some of Princeton's younger fencers an opportunity to take a stab at NCAA competition.

A perfect record against the technical institute located in Northern New Jersey no doubt bolstered the fencers' confidence coming into the match. With nationally ranked Princetonians Ben Solomon, Eric Stodola, Jimmy Wallen, and Tiger captain Soren Thompson sitting this bout out, the second and third team fencers certainly rose to the challenge.

"The important thing for our fencers, however, was to concentrate on winning all of their bouts and improving their records for regional placement," noted Thomp-son.

While the match was a non-league meeting, the victories served to qualify many of the fencers for the NCAA Regional. To qualify for the Regional one must not only have winning records but must have participated in a school's meets.

Freshmen Kevin Shee and Adam Boorstin suffered the team's only two losses. Despite the small setback Shee would end even for the day, while Boorstin would rebound, winning his other two bouts. From the sidelines Thompson said, "It's unfortunate we lost those two bouts, but they were minor flaws on an amazing day."

Other results include perfect 3-0 scores from epees senior Mitch Slept and freshman Sandy Gibson and junior foil Jonathan Jew-Lim. Sophomore foil Scott Sherman and senior sabre Mike Brosterman also went 3-0 on the day.

While the substitutes and freshman were no doubt able to garner some invaluable competitive experience, their next bout will stand to be much harder. The Feb. 1 tri-meet against Columbia, St. Johns and Rutgers will pit the Tigers against some of the top fencers in the nation.

St. John's, the 2001 NCAA fencing champion, posted a second-place win in last year's championships and have had a successful season led by two-time NCAA individual champion Ivan Lee.

Princeton's rival, Columbia, has perennially been the Ivy League favorite and will make for a challenging bout with the Tigers. Also, Rutgers, spurred on by a monumental recruiting class, also stands to be a difficult foe.

Still, a confident Thompson insists, "We just have to keep our momentum and our team will stand as a realistic Ivy League and NCAA contender."