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03/05/2022 11:00 PMThe Guilford fencing program has been nothing short of spectacular this year. Guilford’s boys’ and girls’ fencing teams both went undefeated during the regular season and, more recently, each squad captured its respective title at the Connecticut Coast Conference (CCC) Championships.
Head Coach Tara Bowers knew that the Grizzlies could claim their conference crowns as long as they executed to their potential on the strip. That’s precisely what Guilford’s fencers did when the CCC Championships took place at The Morgan School on Feb. 26.
“We fenced against all of these teams at least twice this season, so we knew our competitors. We knew there were going to be some challenges, but had good results throughout the season,” Coach Bowers said. “I felt like we went into this competition confident and knowing what we needed to do. And the athletes did exactly what they needed to.”
The Guilford boys’ fencing team swept all three categories by winning the foil, épée, and saber competitions at the CCC meet. The girls’ team took first place in foil and finished second for épée and saber on its way to taking the conference title.
In foil, the Guilford boys defeated Morgan 5-1 and bested Hand 5-3. The boys’ foil team features senior captain Sands Pascucilla, juniors Ryan Lynch and Arya Nadgouda, and sophomore Paul Greenleaf. Greenleaf went 5-0 in the CCC competition, while Lynch finished at 4-0 on the day.
“I was pleasantly surprised that my men’s foil team was able to win their event. They started the season on the weaker side after graduating two top fencers last year, but they matured, focused, trained, and made so much growth this season that they were also able to win the conference title, along with the men’s saber, men’s épée, and women’s foil,” said Bowers. “My women’s saber and épée teams came in a close second, but they fought hard for every point, and I’m proud of their efforts.”
The boys’ saber team notched a 5-1 win over North Haven and a 5-3 victory versus Morgan. Senior Jerry Li recorded five victories, and senior captain Owen Angkatavanich won four matches at the meet. Junior Shivai Kumar and sophomore Jason Li also competed for the team.
The boys’ épée team came away with a 5-3 win over Morgan and then edged out Hand by a 5-4 score. The team features senior captain AJ Raucci and Noah Provencher, along with fellow seniors Dan White and David Crair. Raucci led the way with four victories for Coach Bowers’s squad.
“Even though fencing is an individual sport, they compete as a team. Our conference championship would not have been possible without the efforts of every member of the team,” Coach Bowers said. “One of the reasons that Guilford fencing is always one of the best in the state is because we don’t just have one or two talented fencers, but we have deep talent.”
For the girls’ fencing team, the foil squad earned a 5-0 victory versus Hand and a 6-3 win against Morgan at CCCs. Junior captain Taylor Smith and sophomore Catherine Zhou recorded four wins apiece in the championship effort. Juniors Machi Merkle-Ward and Cassie Pringle picked up three wins collectively.
The girls’ saber team defeated North Haven 5-0 and then took a 5-2 loss to Hand to finish second in the conference. The team features senior captain Lucia Rusconi, senior Kat Libby, junior Joy Qiang, and sophomore Cassie Granata. Rusconi collected three wins at the meet, while Qiang and Libby each had two victories.
“Some victories were more challenging than others, but in every instance, the team was up for the challenge. And in every meet, I think the fencers learned and grew as individuals and as a team,” said Bowers. “One of my goals this year was to have a meet with every competitive fencing team in the state, and we did that, which meant two to three meets a week for the entire season. I am really proud of how my fencers performed and grew through these meets.”
The girls’ épée team posted a 5-3 win over Morgan before taking a 5-2 defeat to Hand to place second. The fencers on the squad are senior Catie Pena, juniors Riley Weed and Melek Top, and sophomore Flora Zhang. Top notched five victories for the Grizzlies.
With a pair of conference titles in books, the Guilford fencing program will be competing in the Team State Championships at North Haven High School on Sunday, March 13. Coach Bowers feels confident that both of her teams are capable of winning state titles.
“We’ve trained so hard this year, and I think our fencers really are the best in the state. For the end of the season, we need to keep in shape physically, keep practicing the skills that we’ve been doing all year, and focus on training the mind for competitions,” Coach Bowers said. “States is unlike any meet we’ve had all season. The kids have to fence the equivalent of four meets in one day. It is very physically and emotionally challenging. During our last week of practice, we need to prepare to endure through that and keep our focus.”
Guilford has been led by six captains throughout the 2022 season. The captains for the boys’ team are Angkatavanich, Pascucilla, Provencher, and Raucci, while Rusconi and Smith are leading the charge for the girls’ team.
Coach Bowers said that it’s been a wonderful experience to work with Guilford’s fencers this year, and she equally appreciates the efforts of her two assistant coaches, Jeremy Goun and Mark Kissinger.
“I am so proud to coach these kids,” said Bowers. “I’m also so thankful for my co-coach Jeremy Goun and my volunteer coach Mark Kissinger, especially Mark, who volunteers his time and shows up to every practice and meet. The coaching staff really uses our individual strengths to build the athletes and the entire team. The team would not be where they are today without all three of us.”