More mature Viviani leads deep men's epee squad
By MIKE CONNOLLY
Sports Writer
Jan Viviani has come a long way.
The once overly emotional freshman, who sometimes let his frustrations affect his fencing, has matured and developed into Notre Dame's top captain and a contender for the national title as a junior.
Head coach Yves Auriol believes that Viviani's greater maturity makes him a more consistent fencer.
"His father told me he saw a big change in Jan and he is more consistent," Auriol said. "He is very confident."
In the past, Viviani has won big bouts against top competition, but followed up strong wins with weak losses to club teams like Purdue. This year, Auriol expects wins out of Viviani every time he steps onto the strip.
Notre Dame's No. 1 epee fencer, who placed third in the 2000 and 20001 NCAA championships, is also in better shape than ever.
"I was training pretty hard," the junior captain said about his six-days-a-week workouts. "The workout schedule over the summer helped me get a little better and faster on my feet."
Viviani has also become, in the words of Auriol, a "super captain." He is the leader both on and off the strip. When the team is losing its focus in practice, Viviani is the one who brings the team back in line.
"Viviani has really stepped up and become a great captain," Auriol said.
Viviani isn't the only talented member of the men's epee squad this year, however. Freshman Michal Sobieraj brings a wealth of international experience to Notre Dame from his home in Krakow, Poland.
"He is really easygoing, but he is very talented," Auriol said. "I think he is going to be a force for us."
The No. 3 fencer for men's epee is one of Notre Dame's most experienced fencers. Senior Brian Casas qualified for the NCAA championships in each of his first three seasons. He finished as a second team All-American in 1999 and 2001.
"If he can continue the way he was fencing at the end of NCAAs, he will be fine. He was fencing really well. He doesn't have too much pressure because he knows Viviani and Sobieraj are much better than he is," Auriol said. "He is a solid No. 3."
Women's Epee
One thing is certain at women's epee: Kerry Walton is a national championship contender. Walton is one of the top junior epeeists in the U.S. and should hold down the No. 1 Irish epee spot all year.
Beyond that, however, there are many question marks for the Irish.
Junior captain Anna Carnick, who earned All-American honors in her freshman year, struggled with an injury last year. Although she qualified for the NCAA Championship, she finished 12th — well below expectations.
With Carnick struggling, classmate Meagan Call excelled. The then-sophomore from Oregon put together a strong finish to take fifth overall — just missing a spot in the top-four fence-off.
This year, however, Call is struggling while Carnick is regaining her All-American form.
"Carnick is not fencing too bad right now. She is fencing better than last year," Auriol said. "Meagan hasn't been fencing well. Her head hasn't been functioning well. She fenced better last weekend but she still isn't where she needs to be."
If Call recovers her old form, however, there could be a three-horse race for just two spots at the NCAA tournament.
"No matter who gets the slots, there aren't going to be any hard feelings," Walton said. "On the whole, everyone understands there are only two spots and not everyone can be on the team."
All Sports Stories for Thursday, January 24, 2002
