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01/09/2024 10:21 AMComing off a season that was full of many triumphs and accolades for the Guilford fencing team in 2023, the Grizzlies now hope to make this winter on the strip just as successful. As they looked to start off strong on the mats, they did so, with several standout performances.
Guilford opened the season on Dec. 20 against North Branford. The women’s JV fencers won 8-1, with the men winning 5-4.
Head Coach Dexter Lourenco saw a lot of potential in the Junior Varsity fencers that day, and hopes they will continue to grow throughout the season.
“The first match against North Branford got us off to a little bit of a rough start. They have only an epee team, so we only got to compete in one weapon, which we were defeated in by a close margin,” said Lourenco. “Four bouts won and five lost in each Varsity match. It is by no means the end of the world, though, and we will be able to fence them again before the season’s over. Our Junior Varsity fencers did well, women winning 8-1 and men winning 5-4.”
As it goes for any successful team, it starts with having a strong leadership core to help set the tone for the campaign, and to guide the other fencers. Guilford is led by two captains this winter in Jason Li (senior, sabre) and Flora Zhang (senior, epee). Lourenco likes the fact that both of them display a lot of knowledge about the sport of fencing, and can project that onto the less experienced athletes on the team.
“They are both key to helping us smoothly direct the team, lead drills and conditioning, and standing as role models for the younger fencers,” said Lourenco. “They both have the experience and the know-how of multiple years fencing on the team, and that hands-on experience is crucial.”
The Grizzlies held their second match at home against North Haven on Jan. 2. Lourenco saw a lot of positives in what turned out to be a very good day for Guilford all-around.
“The match on Tuesday went fantastic, with us winning five out of six of the matches that night. Even in the one we lost, we’re proud of Guilford's performance, as we only lost that match by one point,” said Lourenco. “Saturday should go smoothly, and I predict that we’ll have some nice results and that the kids will have a blast.”
So far this season, several fencers have emerged as top performers and put themselves in a position to be called upon in pressure-filled situations. Those athletes are Paul Greenleaf (senior, foil) and Ella Greenleaf (sophomore, foil) who have both gone undefeated in bouts. Jackson Howard (senior, epee) has also been a top contributor so far.
When it came to being tested, Guilford certainly got its first taste of a multi-team affair when they competed at the Morgan Invitational on Jan. 6. The Grizzlies never wavered from staying focused and dominant, as they came out on the winning side against every opponent.
“Saturday’s meet was very successful. We played four other teams and beat all four of them,” said Lourenco. “The scores were 6-0 against Morgan, 6-0 against Simsbury, 5-1 against North Haven, and 4-2 against Daniel Hand.”
Lourenco noted that sophomore sabre Anna Hastings substituted in the event and stepped up, as the Grizzlies’ No. 1 sabre was injured earlier during the tournament.
The Grizzlies have 33 returning fencers from last season, with a total roster number of 51 fencers. Lourenco hopes to see consistent improvement from every fencer on the mats, and for his team to walk away from every dual with positive results.
“Obviously from the varsity standpoint, our goal is results. Fortunately, we are a team with a lot of young fencers who want to get better,” said Lourenco. “So, while our varsity fencers bring home the wins, our other goal this season is to get our JV fencers up to the level of skill and confidence that they need to fence at the varsity level. Fortunately, I don’t predict all too many challenges for us to face. There may be some teams that take a match or two off of us. Overall, we are confident that our fencers can bring it home, and that everyone on each squad can contribute evenly.”
As the team progresses through its campaign, Lourenco is excited to be on the sidelines, witnessing the hard work and dedication his squad puts in, day in and day out.
“Personally I’m most looking forward to seeing the kids grow as fencers. We’ve got a good group here with great fencers,” said Lourenco. “We are lucky as coaches to have the opportunity to work with this group.”
Lourenco is assisted this winter by Mark Kissinger and Ben Kissinger.
The Grizzlies full team roster is comprised of Kylin Broderick (senior, sabre), Josh Cooper (senior, sabre), Paul Greenleaf, Howard, Tessa Kissinger (senior, epee), Li, Jack Rassmussen (senior, foil), Kate Romanenko (senior, epee), Tyler Skapczynski (senior, sabre), Avery Spagone (senior, epee), Zhang, Charlie Canaperi (junior, foil), Connor O’Leary (junior, epee), Ben Libby (junior, sabre), Rohan Patel (junior, foil), Ray Schmidt (junior, epee), Addi Weed (junior, foil), Tessa Antonakis (sophomore, epee), Ella Greenleaf, Hastings, Luke Kissinger (sophomore, epee), Riley Maturo (sophomore, epee), Lyra Monaco (sophomore, epee), Teddy Morris (sophomore, foil), Emily O’Sullivan (sophomore, sabre), Sydney Pierson (sophomore, sabre), Tao Pradith (sophomore, epee), Brooklyn Smith (sophomore, epee), Jack Trotter (sophomore, epee), Allison Underwood (sophomore, epee), Addy Woodhouse (sophomore, foil), Erica Zhang (sophomore, sabre), Aiden Anatra (freshman, epee), Syd Batters (freshman, foil), Ridhaan Chavan (freshman, epee), Jazzy Douglas (freshman, foil), Lia Faria (freshman, sabred), Fox Howard (freshman, foil), Lily James (freshman, epee), Mars Kje Sin (freshman, sabre), Zeno Kockleman (freshman, sabre), Aarav Nadgouda (freshman, sabre), Maddy Ojeda (freshman, epee), Irene Opoku-Gyamfi (freshman, foil), Masa Toma (freshman, foil), Luca Toomre (freshman, foil), Michael Zeranski (freshman, sabre), and David Zhang (freshman, sabre).
2023-2024 Guilford Grizzlies Co-op Fencing Schedule
Wed. Dec. 20: vs North Branford at 6:30 p.m.
Tues. Jan. 2: vs North Haven at 6:30 p.m.
Sat. Jan. 6: Clinton Invitational at 10:15 a.m.
Tues. Jan. 9: vs Cheshire at 6:30 p.m.
Tues. Jan. 16: vs Daniel Hand at 6:30 p.m.
Fri. Jan. 19: vs Greenwich at 6:30 p.m.
Tues. Jan. 23: vs Fairfield Warde at 6:30 p.m.
Thurs. Jan. 25: Fencing at Simsbury High School 5 p.m.
Sat. Jan. 27: Hopkins School at 10 a.m.
Tues. Jan. 30: Hopkins School at 6:30 p.m.
Thurs. Feb. 1: vs Morgan at 6:30 p.m.
Thurs. Feb. 8: vs Morgan at 6:30 p.m.
Tues. Feb. 13: vs Daniel Hand at 6:30 p.m.
Fri. Feb. 16: vs North Branford at 7 p.m.
Wed. Feb. 21: vs Cheshire at 6:30 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 24: Central Connecticut Fencing Conference Championships at 8 a.m.
Sat. March 3: Individual State Championships at JCC Woodbridge at 8 a.m.
Sat. March 9: Fencing Team State Championships at North Haven High School at 8 a.m.