Blue Devil Girls Fencers Optimistic
The outlook of the Huntington High School girls’ fencing team is always optimistic and this year is no different. A squad of 23 includes seven athletes in saber and eight each in foil and epee, respectively. Coaches Mike Fabio and Alan Kuver have been working with the group and it has come together quite nicely.
The team includes senior captain Sarah Conte in epee, juniors Nisha Kapur and Kieran McCarthy-Fell in saber, Lena Freed and Brittany Schmitz in foil, and Johanna Clifford and Alanna Tieman in epee and sophomores Olivia Johnson, Shayne Larkin, and Dylan Tuozzo in saber, Cody Jacobs in foil and Mia Rienzio, Olivia Weller, and Natasha Stollmack in epee.
The roster also features promising young talent in the “Fab Five Freshmen,” better known as Holly Flores in saber, Alexandra Martinolich and Marissa Schedler in foil and Marie Clifford and Kristin Hartman in epee. Finley Middle School eighth grader Joey Tuozzo (saber) and seventh graders Sibila Maiarelli and Brianna Kirkland, who fence foil, are also on the squad.
Last year’s squad saw the graduation of All-County fencers Molly Burnett (saber) Nicole Palmer (foil), and first-team All-County selection and two-time county finalist (third as senior) Kaari Casey. The squad finished 8-6 during the league season and the team placed fourth, just out of the medals, at the county tournament.
2008/09 Outlook
Saber Outlook: Kieran McCarthy-Fell and Nisha Kapur, both juniors saw plenty of action last year as starters and look to break into the All-County ranks with continued improvement. Sophomores Dylan Tuozzo and Olivia Johnson will split time in the third spot replacing graduated All-County saber fencer Molly Burnett. New to the squad are sophomore Shanye Larkin, freshman Holly Flores and eighth grader Joey Tuozzo.
Foil Outlook: Youngest squad of the three, with the most work to do. After losing graduating seniors Caari Casey and Nicole Palmer and three returning team members to work and other sports, a squad that won 71 matches last year returns only one member who won one bout. Looking for juniors Brittany Schmitz, who returns from fencing saber last year, and Lena Freed who was unable to fence as a sophomore, to lead the squad. Sophomore Cody Jacobs and freshman Alexandra Martinolich should contribute as well. New to the squad are sophomore Nellie Derbyshire and freshman Marissa Schedler, and seventh graders Sibilla Maiarelli and Brianna Kirkland.
Epee Outlook: The strongest squad of the three; with lots of experience, the polar opposite of the foil squad. With 72 wins last year, all but two of those victories are back. Returning sophomore Olivia Weller leads the squad after a first-team All-County performance as a freshman with a 25-6 record. Senior captain Sarah Conte and junior Johanna Clifford round out the starting squad. Conte was honorable mention all county and took 6th place in the epee county final. Johanna Clifford also was an honorable mention All county selection and tied for 4th place in the epee county final. Returning Junior Alanna Tieman and sophomore Mia Rienzio round out the varsity squad. New to the group are Sophomore Natasha Stollmack and Freshmen Kristin Hartman and Marie Clifford.
The Season So Far . .
December 12, 2009 First meet vs Brentwood @ Home . . . victory 23-4
Strong first meet against a very young Brentwood squad. Kieran McCarthy-Fell, Olivia Johnson, Lena Freed, Alex Martinolich, Brittany Schmitz, Olivia Weller, Sarah Conte and Johanna Clifford all started and won two bouts each. Brittany Schmitz won the 14th bout to clinch the win. First time varsity winners were Marissa Schedler, Nellie Derbyshire, and Kristin Hartman.
December 13th Brentwood Holiday Tournament
Olivia Weller 2nd place, Johanna Clifford 5th place, Mia Rienzo 21st place, Sarah Conte 24th place in women’s epee (44 total competitors). Brittany Schmitz 20th place, Lena Freed 23rd place, Cody Jacobs 33rd place and Nellie Derbyshire 38th place in women’s foil (42 total competitors). Kieran McCarthy-Fell 17th place, Nisha Kapur 23rd place, Dylan Tuozzo 25th place, and Joey Tuozzo 35th place in women’s Saber (42 total competitors).
December 16th Away meet vs. Centereach . . . loss 4-23
Record: 1-1
Against one of the toughest teams next to Ward Melville the squad traveled to Centereach and came up short. A distracted squad was soundly beaten by a Centereach team that had five of its nine starters win all three of their bouts. On a positive note, Brittany Schmitz went 2-1, losing a close match (5-3).
December 18th Home meet vs. Walt Whitman . . . victory 18-9
Record: 2-1
Fencing well after a poor performance in the last meet Huntington heads in to the break with a win. Olivia Johnson wins her last bout to clinch the meet 14-5. Sarah Conte and Johanna Clifford each win three bouts, Brittany Schmitz goes 2-0.
January 6th Home meet vs. Half Hollow Hills . . . victory 18-9
Record: 3-1
Coming out of the holiday break, the team looked good in defeating a young Hills squad that was under strength because several starters were sitting out. Lena Freed won her last bout to clinch the meet 14-8. Olivia Weller and Johanna Clifford each won their three bouts.
January 8th Home meet vs. Newfield . . . loss 9-18
Record: 3-2
A strong Newfield squad came into the Jack Abrams School gym and soundly defeated the Blue Devils’ team. Huntington failed to win any of the three styles (saber 3-6, foil 2-7, epee 4-5).
January 12th Away Meet vs. Commack . . . victory 15-12
Record: 4-2
With its second away meet of the season, the squad still needs to work on its travel performance. After an early 8-4 lead, Huntington allowed Commack an 8-3 run to go ahead 12-11. Brittany Schmitz turned the tide with a 5-2 win. Heading into the last three epee bouts the score was tied 12-12 with Huntington’s strongest style yet to come. Junior Johanna Clifford lead off with a close 5-4 win and was followed by senior Sarah Conte who also earned a 5-4 victory to clinch the meet. Sophomore Olivia Weller finished her day off with a 5-4 win, ending her day with three victories.
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