FENCING: Fencers close with victory
By MATT LOZAR
Sports Writer
With post-season action just around the corner, the Wayne State Duels were a tune-up for the Notre Dame fencing team. Both the men and women compiled 4-0 records to close out their regular seasons.
The women's epee squad led the team with a 31-5 record on the weekend. Anna Carnick went 4-1 on the day, improving her career record to 140-36 and putting her in fourth in women's epee career -winning percentage.
Junior Meagan Call finished the day at 5-1 giving her 37 wins for the season. In her first season, sophomore Kerry Walton compiled a 50-5 and .909 winning percentage, the fourth-best ever for women's epee.
"Everyone did a really good job," said Call. "I thought we had a pretty strong overall meet."
Freshman Andrea Ament led the foil squad with a 5-0 record and finished the season with a record of 27-2. Alijca Kryczalo had three wins on the day to push her record to 39-2, the seventh-best winning percentage (.951) in women's foil.
Women's sabre earned a 30-6 record and was led by captain Carianne McCullough. Her eight wins on the weekend gave her 42 for the season. Sophomore Destanie Milo finished the season with a 45-8 record after four more wins.
Notre Dame defeated Michigan State (19-8), Detroit-Mercy (23-4), Lawrence (24-3) and Michigan (21-6).
"I thought we still had some momentum from the Ohio State Duels [two weeks ago]," Call said. "This week we have to practice really hard since we are headed toward NCAAs."
Extending its unbeaten match streak to 59, third-best in Notre Dame history, the No.1 men's team cruised through its opponents this weekend. They beat Michigan State (25-2), Detroit Mercy (27-0), Lawrence (27-0) and Michigan (25-2).
"I thought we fenced really well as a team this weekend," said senior captain Andre Crompton. "The meet was definitely a confidence booster for the Midwest Conference meet this weekend."
Men's epee posted a 32-4 record, giving them a 135-27 record for the season. Senior Brian Casas won his seven matches and finished with 156 wins in his career, fourth-most in men's epee history. Junior Jan Viviani had seven wins and ended his regular season with a 42-3 record. His .933 winning percentage is the third best in Irish history.
Junior captain Ozren Debic led the men's foil team with a 12-0 record and a 30-2 season mark. He currently has the best foil career winning percentage. Senior Steve Mautone also went 12-0 on the day to end his regular season at 28-15.
Another undefeated day was turned in by the sabre squad. Senior Andrzej Bednarski had a 6-0 record and ended his career with 152 wins, fifth most in sabre history.
Crompton earned nine wins and finished sixth, behind teammate Bednarski, on the career sabre wins list with 150. Also, junior Matt Fabricant went 7-0 on the day and ended the season with a 39-8 mark.
Next weekend, the post-season begins as both the men and women compete in the Midwest Fencing Conference Championships at the Joyce Center. This meet is just the beginning of the post-season for Irish as they work this week for their ultimate goal of winning a national championship.
"The practices this week are going to be really strong," Crompton said. "More than just preparing for the Midwest Championships, but the regionals and NCAAs."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, February 26, 2002
