This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
02/10/2013 11:00 PMEvery year, North Haven fencing has designs of bringing home a state championship and, even though the Indians came up shy of doing so the last two seasons, Coach Pete Solomon feels optimistic about each one of his squads' prospects as the postseason approaches.
Solomon is not only confident in his fencers' athleticism-he also likes the work ethic they displayed during the offseason and their togetherness developed through the regular season, two things which should work to the Indians' advantage when they host the Team State Tournament on Saturday, March 9.
"This is a season I've been looking forward to since our senior class's freshman year. They're a special kind of group that doesn't come around too often," said Solomon, who's in his fifth season alongside James Salzano. "After falling short the last two years, the kids committed themselves to go all the way and came into this season in great shape with a lot of intensity. They've also developed a strong sense of family and an awareness that they're part of something bigger than themselves: the legacy of North Haven fencing. I think we will carry these strengths into states and have a tremendous ride."
The Indians' team with the best record is the boys' foil squad, which stands at 8-2 after having recently notched a big win against Hopkins. North Haven is led by senior captains Li Sun and David King, who are each in their third seasons as varsity starters and own records of 23-6 and 21-8, respectively. The third slot has seen a rotation between senior Alex Dannenhoffer, junior Tim Hamling, and sophomore Binli Huang. Boys' foil finished second at last season's state meet.
"Li and David both have had dominating seasons and been great with developing our younger guys. They're one of the best 1-2 punches we've ever had," Solomon said. "The boys came close to winning it last year and are that much better and more prepared this season. Our improvements have put us in place to win a state championship."
Meanwhile, North Haven's female foilists are also faring well with a mark of 6-2 that includes a 5-4 victory versus Guilford. Captain Amelia Hoyt sports a 17-4 record with fellow senior Reagan Fitzgerald standing at 17-3. Junior Stephanie Hoang has nine victories.
"Amelia and Reagan took a lot of extra lessons in the offseason and have made a push to become incredibly strong fencers. Amelia pulled out a big win to help us beat Guilford," Solomon said. "Stephanie was inexperienced coming into the season, but has won some big bouts and solidified the lineup. The girls' foil team will have a strong chance at states. We've been neck and neck with every team and I have high hopes about what we can do when the pressure is on."
Then you have the boys' epée team, which returned just one experience fencer in senior captain Tyler Fung, yet has still pulled through with a respectable mark of 4-4. Fung is 14-11 with junior Nick Crowley having won 12 bouts and senior Benson Chan claiming wins in 13.
"Boys' epée is showing progress and starting to put it together. I think we'll give teams that beat us the first time a run for their money when we see them again," Solomon said. "Tyler was our No. 3 fencer last year and is the clear No. 1 this year. He had a big win in the deciding bout when we beat Guilford. Epée is one of those 'any given Sunday' things where any bout can easily swing either way and so I wouldn't count out these guys in any match."
The same can be said of North Haven's girls' epée team, which owns a record of 5-2 that features lopsided wins against Fairfield and Greenwich, plus a victory versus Hopkins. Leading that squad is senior captain Talia Gallagher, who is 13-5. Julia Dujalski is 14-5 with fellow junior Yicai Wang having won eight bouts.
"Talia was our lone fencer returning with experience and nobody in the state can beat her when she fires on all cylinders. She's had some big wins and been the rock this team needs," said Solomon. "Julia always had good control and has now added some aggressiveness that's made her a more difficult opponent. Yicai had no varsity experience before this year, but trained over the summer to become a reliable No. 3. Just like our other three teams, the girls' epée squad has their eyes on the prize."
Prior to the Team State Tournament, the Individual State Tournament will take place at Hopkins on Saturday, March 2. Along with foil and epée, that day will also feature brackets in a weapon that's being newly integrated into Connecticut's high school fencing world in the sabre, a sword known for its explosiveness as it's a slash weapon instead of one with a point. The Indians' girls' sabre squad of Hoyt, Gallagher, and Fitzgerald has won three matches with the boys' team featuring Will Beacom and Andrew Mezzi. North Haven is one of just five schools fencing sabre this year and so there won't be a team tournament, although that may very well change next winter.