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01/27/2017 11:00 PMThe Morgan fencing team may be short on varsity experience this season, but the Huskies have plenty of youngsters who are getting their shot on the big stage, and they plan on using that experience to their benefit moving forward.
Head Coach James Barnett and Huskies are in their third season as a varsity program one year after sending all three girls’ teams—foil, epée, and sabre—to the State Championship, where Morgan finished third in the overall standings.
This winter, Morgan’s girls’ squad has gotten out to a 4-2 start through its first six matchups, including a big 15-12 win against defending state champion Guilford on Jan. 10. The Huskies’ boys are currently 0-6 and, although the club is lacking depth in the varsity ranks, Coach Barnett said that many JV fencers are relishing the opportunity of competing up a level.
“We have 40 fencers on the team and 30 of them have one year or less of experience, but it is certainly good for the future,” said Barnett. “It’s exciting to watch these younger kids fence at other levels. It keeps us as coaches going. I see a good future for us going forward.”
The Huskies only feature four seniors this winter and two of them are captains Julia Horan and Olivia Digiandomenico, who both fence on the foil circuit. Digiandomenico was also a captain for the Morgan girls’ soccer team this past fall and both captains are athletes who always have their teammates as their top priorities.
“Julia starting fencing in middle school and took part in a camp I ran. She is actively involved in United States Fencing Association events and she is hoping to fence in college. She is dedicated, works hard, and cares about the sport,” said Coach Barnett on Horan. “Olivia always has a smile on her face. She’s a great example of dedication and looks out for the team first.”
On the boys’ side, Morgan features some budding up-and-comers in junior Wyatt Reu (foil), plus sophomores Noah Scarpace (sabre) and Scott Accetta (epée). Among the other athletes who’ve been producing for the girls’ squad are juniors Grace Hull (foil), Emma Riccio (foil), and Olivia Silver (epée), along with sophomores Rebecca Cockley (foil) and Ella Franzoni.
“Noah is working really hard and has taken on the challenge of varsity and is doing really well. Scott has taken on a nice role as leader and is doing a great job of working with everyone. He’s into the technical aspects of the sport. Wyatt wants to win and is getting experience versus tough opponents,” said Barnett. “Rebecca is tearing up the JV ranks. Emma went undefeated at 7-0 in three straight matches against Marine Science Magnet, Guilford, and North Branford. Ella has one year of experience, but she is doing really well. Olivia is setting a great example for the rest of the team and got a key win versus Guilford and helped the girls’ team win that match.”
As they inch their way deeper into the campaign, the Huskies are aiming to be well represented in the State Championship. Coach Barnett is looking for the girls’ team to take another step up the postseason podium and for the boys to send all three teams to the state meet.
“We want to enter all six squads into states. We want to add full squads on the boys’ side this year,” said Barnett. “For the girls, we want to again qualify all three disciplines. We hope to come in second this year. We also want to keep improving our individual results.”
From the Sidelines
This is James Barnett’s sixth season as the Huskies’ head coach.
Colleen Mason is serving as Morgan’s assistant coach this winter.
On Jan. 11, Partners in Community (PiC) honored James Barnett and the Morgan fencing team with a Community Champion Award for their efforts to prevent substance use and to develop healthy and positive teenagers. This is only the third time that PiC has only given out a Community Champion Award.