Men's, women's foilists look to dominate nationals
By MATT LOZAR AND MIKE CONNOLLY
Sports Writers
Boasting one of Notre Dame's top fencers, an impressive freshman and a solid senior, the Irish men's fencing foil squad will start its drive to the national championship this weekend at the New York University Duals.
Junior captain Ozren Debic finished fifth in the country last year and compiled a 42-3 record in earning second team All-American honors. His 84-5 career record gives him the third-highest winning percentage in Irish history.
Debic looks to rebound from last season's nagging foot injury and regain the form that earned him a second place finish at the national championships as a freshman.
"The injury is fine," said Debic. "It was over three weeks after NCAAs [last season] and isn't a problem."
Auriol, however, suggests that his men's foil captain may not be at the top of his game right now.
"Oz is not where he is supposed to be," said Auriol. "He used to win this thing [the North American Cup Tournament in South Bend this weekend]. He didn't make the finals here. He is not fencing well and needs to step it up a bit."
Derek Snyder, the promising freshman from Chatsworth, Calif., brings high expectations to the foil team. With junior Forest Walton spending this season abroad, Snyder knows the team expects him to step in quickly.
"I do feel a little pressure," said Snyder. "But if I do my best, it will take care of itself."
Snyder may not have top collegiate experience, but internationally, he is quite accomplished. He finished seventh in the junior foil at the South Bend American Cup this past weekend. In the latest United States Fencing Association rankings, Snyder is ranked No. 14 in the senior foil division and second in the junior division.
"I think one of the biggest things in doing well is my tournament experience," Snyder said. "All the traveling I have done, and knowing the tournament logistics will be a lot of help. I hope not to be caught off guard."
Debic, who finished 11th in the senior foil at the South Bend American Cup, feels Snyder should be able to help the team right away as well.
"Our freshmen have a lot of high expectations," he said. "He [Snyder] has been in a couple of tournaments in Europe and he is ready."
The No. 2 spot on the team has not been handed to Snyder, according to his coach.
"He is going to have to prove that he is as good as Forest," Auriol said." "He has been competing in individual competitions, but it's different fencing at the college level. I am waiting for him to see what he is made of."
Senior Steve Mautone brings three years of experience to the foil squad and will also attempt to help lessen the loss of Walton. Mautone, one of eight Irish fencers from New Jersey, earned a 30-13 record last season and provides more depth to this talented part of the team.
"Mautone is a great team fencer. Last year he fenced very tough," said Auriol. "He can compete with Snyder for second place. He is going to be a great No. 3 for us and could even be No. 2."
Women's foil
It may have taken Auriol two years to replace the All-American foil tandem of Sara Walsh and Myriah Brown, but the 2002 women's foil squad may finally have a pair of athletes that can match the talents of the 1999 graduates.
Freshmen Andrea Ament and Alicja Kryczalo have the talent and experience to give the Irish a top foil squad for the first time since Walsh and Brown graduated.
"They are as good as the team [we had] when we had Sarah Walsh and Myriah Brown," Auriol said. "I think they are the two best at the college level."
Kryzcalo comes to Notre Dame from Gdansk, Poland, where she was part of the Polish junior foil team that won the World Championship each year from 1998-2000. She combines height, quickness and experience to become an instant force for the Irish.
"She is good. She is an NCAA champion contender," Auriol said.
Auriol believes that Ament is almost as talented as Kryzcalo. If not for her talented teammate, she might be the best collegiate foilist in America.
"I am sure that Andrea would like to be No. 1," Auriol said. "She is pretty good."
While Kryzcalo has the edge in international titles, Ament has a greater familiarity with the top American fencers they will face in competition.
"I am pretty prepared I know who I am going to face," she said. "I am ready for the competition."
The addition of the top two freshmen has shifted last year's No. 1, junior Liza Boutsikaris, down to No. 3. Auriol believes that Boutsikaris will thrive at the No. 3 role without the pressure she faced at No. 1 last year.
"I feel that Boutsikaris will fence good this year because she is No. 3. She has nothing to lose. She can relax and fence well," Auriol said.
All Sports Stories for Thursday, January 24, 2002
