Season gets off to strong start at Penn State tourney

After recruiting top talent from across the country and honing the skills of returnees throughout the off-season, the men's and women's fencing teams were ready to show off their new and improved squads last weekend. The Tigers showed they could take on some of the top squads in the NCAA this past weekend at the annual Penn State Garrett Open.

The women started off the tournament Saturday. In epee, junior captain Jasjit Bhinder was the top finisher, making it through pool play to the round of 16 before being defeated. Though Bhinder lost before making it to the medal round, the opponent who took her down was a top-four finisher at last year's NCAA Championships.

"Throughout the day, Jasjit had a consistent performance," head coach Zoltan Dudas said. "I think she got a little mentally tired at the end of the day, but this is just the first of many tournaments during the season."

Sophomore Chandler Clay also competed well in epee, barely missing the round of 16.

"Chandler is picking up right from where she left off last season, and this is a very positive thing," Dudas said.

In women's foil, Princeton had a disappointing showing, as none of the girls were able to make it past the first round of eliminations. While sophomores Karen Petsche and Ann Gong produced moments of individual brilliance and scored a few victories, they fell short of the point total necessary to advance.

Rounding out the women's squads, sabre gave the strongest showing of the day. This was due in large part to the performance of freshman standout Caroline Merz, who was able to fence her way into a top-eight finish.

"Caroline was a very positive surprise for me," Dudas said. "She fenced very strongly and showed me a very impressive fighting attitude. In previous years we didn't even have someone to get into the top 16."

Dudas was pleased with the women's team's performance overall and believes that what he saw this weekend is evidence that the team could do well at the NCAAs.

On the men's side, the results were just as positive. In epee, freshman Nate Sulat made it to the quarterfinals before being defeated, while sophomore Edward Hurme fenced his way into the tournament's top 16. Both Tigers fought hard and gave consistently impressive performances over the course of the weekend.

Barely missing the cut for the top 16 in epee was senior captain Tommi Hurme. Freshman Mike Elfassy and junior Max Peck, meanwhile, were both knocked out in the first two rounds.

Sophomore Clayton Flanders led the foil squad. He managed to beat the second-seeded foilist at the tournament before ultimately losing in the quarterfinals.

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"Clayton made great progress this year, making the round of eight and improving on his round of 16 finish from last year," Dudas said. "I'm very happy with his performance."

Rounding out the foilists were senior Douglas Hohensee and freshman Peter Toshev, who were both eliminated in the second round.

In sabre, sophomore Thomas Abend and freshman John Stogin qualified for the top 16. Both lost in very close bouts, but showed great promise towards qualifying for the NCAA tournament.

"The sabre squad took big steps forward this year," Dudas said. "Both Thomas and John could really help our team become more balanced."

Overall, both the men's and women's teams competed as well as they had hoped to, with several members qualifying for the quarterfinal round out of a pool of 60 fencers in each weapon. With only one meet under their belts, the teams are looking forward to a very successful season.

"We're in a pretty good place for our first dual meet on Dec. 1," Tommi Hurme said. "Our team looked very strong in their first competitive showing ... and the freshmen are starting to learn what it means to be a member of the Princeton fencing team."