Irish have best chance for championship in 8 years
By MIKE CONNOLLY
Sports Writer
For eight years, the national title has been just out of reach for the Irish.
Ever since 1994, the Irish have finished second five times and third twice, but have never broken through and taken the top spot. This year's team — head coach Yves Auriol's last — could finally break the streak and reclaim the national title for the Irish.
"It would be great to leave after 17 years with a national championship," Auriol said.
With fencers capable of winning first team All-American honors at nearly every weapon, this year's team is well balanced. For the past five years, either the men's or women's team was significantly weaker than its counterpart. This year's team more equally balanced between the two sexes, but the men's team holds a slight edge on the women.
"I know [Penn State's] women's team is a little stronger," epeeist Kerry Walton said. "But I think the men can clean the floor with them on Saturday and Sunday."
With a more talented team, the Irish have raised their expectations for each squad. At the 2001 Championships, the Irish set 30 wins as the standard for each squad. Each of the men's squads reached this goal but the women fell far short — especially in foil and sabre where the Irish won just 18 and 16 bouts respectively. This year, sabre captain Andre Crompton believes each squad can win 34 bouts a piece.
"If everyone gets 34 wins, it's a guaranteed win," Crompton said.
The addition of four top freshmen, the debut of Kerry Walton and the return Ozren Debic from injury helps Notre Dame's chances to achieve this goal.
Notre Dame's national title hopes were also buoyed when defending national champion St. John's failed to qualify the maximum 12 fencers. The Red Storm will only send 11 fencers to the championship. Only Penn State, who has won the national championship in five of the last six years, can match Notre Dame's 12 qualifiers.
Although Notre Dame has not faced Penn State head-to-head in a 2002 dual meet, Irish and Nittany Lion fencers did square off in the Penn State Open, an individual tournament. Notre Dame won four of the six weapon titles in Penn State's home gym.
"That was November. A lot has changed since then," Auriol said. "It will be interesting to see how we match up against them."
The NCAA Fencing Championships begin today at Drew University with the opening rounds of the women's competition. The Championships continue Friday with the women's finals before the men take the strip on Saturday and Sunday.
Notre Dame has won one combined national championship in 1994. Before the two teams were combined in 1990, the women won a national title in 1987 while the men won in 1986, 1977 and 1978.
All Sports Stories for Thursday, March 21, 2002
