Without fanfare, Yale fencing is slowly building a dynasty

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Both men's and women's fencing teams are undefeated so far this season.

True to form, Yale fencing enters 2000 undefeated. While both teams' 4-0 records appear to reflect dominance, their greatest challenges lie ahead of them. "We haven't hit the meat of our season," men's captain Ayo Griffin, SM '00, said. "Every year in the Ivies we have a tough time with Princeton. Unfortunately, we haven't beaten them since I've been here."

While both teams anxiously await Ivy League competition, the women's team faces a very unique challenge. For the first time in history, in addition to epeé and foil, women's sabre will be an official part of NCAA competition. This limits the female teams' ability to measure how they stack up against one another. "We have no idea whose sabre is good [among the other Ivy teams]," women's captain Hannah Appel, SM '00, said. "Our girls are strong, but it's just a wild card. This totally changes the entire season."

Unsure of their sabre capabilities, there is no question that the Bulldogs are the overall Ivy favorites heading into the spring season. They've won the Ivy championship for the last four years, posting an overwhelming 42-2 record.

Both teams are confronted with the loss of immense talent this season. Four-time All-Americans Katie Zuckerman, JE '99, and Peter Devine, MC '99, put down their fencing equipment in favor of caps and gowns last May. However, they leave a number of leaders behind them. Providing guidance to a young squad, 1998 foil champion Griffin returns as captain after being sidelined with a leg injury during the 1998-99 season.The women wel- come back four seniors, including three members of the foil squad, who collectively won over 30 bouts last season.

In addition to the presence of accomplished upperclassmen, the 1999-2000 fencing team boasts a strong freshman class, which has benefited from intense winter training and a relaxing holiday break. "During the fall semester, people sort of struggled to come to practice and morale was a bit low," Appel said. "We have some great freshmen, and now it seems they're getting more into the team. Winter training has set a good precedent for the spring season."

With the next competition of the season right around the corner, the Elis are getting ready to blaze a trail to Ivy dominance. They fence at Brandeis on Tues., Jan. 25. It's time the Yale community pays them a little more attention—it just might like what it sees.

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