Blue Devil Fencers Sharp
These fencers are sharp, even when they drop a match. The Huntington High School boys' and girls' fencing teams are off to a good start this winter, with a series of strong all-around performances.
In a pair of recent meets, the Blue Devils showed what they can do and what the future might hold in store for the program. Alan Kuver, Huntington's longtime head coach, can't help but like what he has seen so far this season.
The Blue Devils traveled down Oakwood Road to Walt Whitman High School and both the boys' and girls' squads walked away with victories. The girls improved to 3-1 by topping the Wildcats, 18-9. Senior Kelly Askerberg and junior Rachel Feltman won three bouts apiece in saber. Askerberg's final victory clinched Huntington's team win. Sophomore Kaitlin Wascher won her first varsity bout in her first try in foil, 5-2. Senior Carly Glowacky went 2-0 in epee. Freshman Elisa Medina-Jaudes and eighth grader Tea Khokhar each won their first varsity bouts of the season, 5-1 and 5-0, respectively.
Huntington's boys' team edged Walt Whitman, 15-12. Senior Brent Filippini was 3-0 in saber. Senior Scott Garafalo won the deciding bout in the third round of the saber competition, 5-2 to finish 2-1 on the afternoon. Senior Joe Rizzi was 2-0 in foil. Senior James Ferraiolo and junior James Montefusco went 2-0 in epee. Sophomore Lucas Vaccaro won his first match of the season, a 5-4 verdict in epee.
The Blue Devils were not quite as fortunate against perennial state power Ward Melville. The Patriots lived up to their top billing in the county by beating Huntington's girls' team in convincing fashion, 20-7. "While there were bouts that were close, they were all won by the Patriots," Kuver said. "The lone bright note was our JV winning its meet against the young Patriots."
Ward Melville also turned back Huntington's boys' squad, 18-9. The Patriots swept the foil competition while the Blue Devils managed to split epee and saber with the Patriots. Senior James Ferraiolo was 2-0 epee, including a thrilling come from behind 5-4 victory over 2012 Suffolk men's epee champion Jake Goldberg.