Mens squad wins all six of its matches, women go 5-1 with a loss to host Buckeyes
By MATT LOZAR
Sports Editor
After seeing the womens foil team turn in a 45-1 performance at last year's NCAA Championships, the mens foil team wanted to get some recognition of its own.
Led by a 51-2 performance from the mens foil team, the Notre Dame mens fencing team won all six of its dual meets Saturday and swept the Ohio State Duals.
The wins made the beginning of a new season, after a disappointing third-place finish at last year's national championships, even sweeter.
"It was great. I have been looking forward to starting the season since last season," sophomore Derek Snyder said. "I really wanted to improve on how we did last season."
The foil team led the Irish to a 16-11 victory over the Buckeyes in going 8-1 against Ohio State. Snyder and foil captain Ozren Debic each went 3-0, and senior Forest Walton was 2-1.
"I think it says a lot. We are healthier and more prepared psychologically and physically this year," Snyder said. "It shows that there are better things to come. We can do better at NCAAs."
Going against one of the best sabre squads in the country, the Notre Dame mens sabre team struggled against the Buckeyes, turning in a 2-7 record.
Seniors Gabor Szelle and Matt Fabricant each went 1-2 against Ohio State, but those were their only losses as each was 11-2 on the day.
The epee team held its own against the Buckeyes, going 6-3. Sophomore Michal Sobieraj continued his dominance in the regular season with a 3-0 record against Ohio State, 9-0 record on the day and a 37-1 record in his two-year career.
With the six wins, the mens team extended its dual meet winning streak to 65.
The biggest question mark heading into this year for the womens team was its sabre squad, and that weakness showed in the 15-12 loss to Ohio State.
Junior Maggie Jordan finished 13-2 for the day but was only 1-2 against the Buckeyes.
With junior captain Destanie Milo missing the competition due to an illness, the Irish were forced to go deep into their squad, and the inexperience showed. Sophomore Tiffany Muller and junior Danielle Davis came into the weekend with limited experience and combined for a 0-6 record against the Buckeyes.
Notre Dame's two national champions turned in perfect days, with junior epeeist Kerry Walton going 3-0 against the Buckeyes and 14-0 overall.
Sophomore foilist Alijca Kryczalo was also a perfect 3-0 against the Buckeyes and was 9-0 on the day.
Walton improved her career regular season record to 64-5, while Kryczalo is now 48-2.
The mens and womens teams each defeated Case Western Reserve, Minnesota, Lawrence University, Michigan State and Cleveland State with ease.
This Saturday, No. 1 Penn State comes to the Joyce Center for a showdown with the second-ranked Irish at the Notre Dame Duals.
After seeing the Nittany Lions claim the crown last year, the Irish are ready for some regular-season revenge.
"We are all looking forward to it immensely," Snyder said. "I am especially since I have a grudge with Penn State. I have some friends on the team and I didn't perform at NCAAs as well as I could have against Penn State.
"I want to make up for that and show that we are going to be more serious at NCAAs this year."
All Sports Stories for Monday, January 27, 2003
