2008 Woodie Awards
Fatigue and Tournament format hinder national hopes
The Acorn Drew U.
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The men�s and women�s fencing teams closed the season with a bang � with nine top 20 finishes at the NCAA Regional Championships at Duke University on March 4, the Rangers completed what could be considered one of the best seasons in Drew�s fencing history.
According to Head Coach Dayn DeRose, both teams were exhausted from the preceding week�s bouts. With little time to rest before hitting the road again, they set out for Duke tired and ready to do their best. However, the tournament�s new format was not fair in its fencing placements. According to DeRose, sophomore Brenna Rabel, who originally secured a tie for seventh, was bumped to tenth place in epee following further deliberation. As a result, the Rangers did not secure a top seven finish in a weapon, and thus did not have an automatic qualifier for the national championships.
�It was an unusual and accidentally unfair selection process,� DeRose said. �Nevertheless, we don�t like to make excuses. Although we didn�t do exactly what we needed to do, we will be on it next year.�
The Rangers still recorded a number of successful performances. In addition to Rabel�s tenth place finish, freshman Naomi Bocarsly and junior Katherine Flynn finished 23rd and 24th in epee. Sophomore Emma Nostrand placed 16th in saber, while sophomores Kim Baldino and Alexandra Wheeler took 21st and 22nd respectively. Senior Stephanie Godlewski and sophomore Nour Attyeh secured the final two spots in the women�s foil Top 20, while sophomore Amy Lester came in at 22nd.
The men were equally successful. Sophomore Dan Willard finished 11th in foil, while freshmen Mike Heumann and Dennis Kelleher took 18th and 29th respectively. Junior Dana Sanford led the team in epee, capturing 15th place. Sophomores Ryan DiPeri and Tim Howes finished 23rd and 30th. Freshman Max Pike secured a 12th place saber position, while freshman Joe Liu took 15th and junior Laibond Cheng placed 17th.
DeRose is extremely optimistic about next season. He believes the team is committed to improving their skills and will come out next year with even more determination and spirit. However, they will have a chance to showcase their skills beforehand, as they perform a demo at President Bob Weisbuch�s inauguration ceremony on April 28.