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Young fencers have large shoes to fill in 2001 season
The team concept, central to many of the most popular sports, takes a backseat to the direct, one-on-one competition of fencing. The swordsman, alone inside his mask, is not even allowed the assistance of his coach as he faces his opponent. However, the members of Yale's powerhouse fencing team attribute much of their success to a great team dynamic and strong support from their teammates.Peter Cellini, DC '04, noted,"Fencing has a lot of individual aspects, but when the whole team is cheering me on, it really pumps me up and allows me to perform better. The support of my teammates is incredibly important to my success."
This year, despite the loss of several strong fencers, both teams are optimistic about the younger members' ability to fill key roles. In the first match of the season at the Penn State Open, Daniel Senft, PC '03, claimed first place in the men's foil division. Also at the Open, Sada Jacobson, MC '04, took first in the women's sabre. Both teams remain undefeated, with a men's victory over New York University (NYU) and women's victories over NYU and Cornell. Confident after these wins, the Yale teams feel ready for this weekend's meet against Rutgers and Vassar.
Jacobson, who recently finished second in the Junior World Cup in Italy, added, "There are a lot of newcomers on the team, but I think we work well together and I feel comfortable with my new teammates."
Captain Helen Liu, MC '02, another member of the formidable women's sabre squad, stressed that the women's team is certainly capable of winning the Ivy League crown again, and while the men may have a more difficult time, I think they have a shot at the title as well." —Kenneth Hammond
All materials © 2001 The Yale Herald, Inc., and its staff.
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