The fencing team participated in its first tournament of the season at the Rangers Fall Invitational hosted by Drew University this past Sunday.
On the men’s side, the Leopards finished with a 5-2 record with wins against Wheaton College, Long Island University, Wagner College, Cornell University and Drew University.
Senior epee Antoine Mannes led the way, tallying 19 victories. Senior foils Benito Hergert and Amir Whitehead added 16 and 14 victories, respectively.
“Our team is trying to come together in a great way,” Whitehead said. “I feel like everyone is showing up.”
The two losses for the Leopards came against Stevens Institute of Technology 17-10 and New Jersey Institute of Technology 17-10. Out of 189 bouts, the men were victorious in 108.
“We definitely held our own against other teams, and it went very well for us,” Whitehead said. “It was a great first showing with our freshmen, and it was like a great look for us.”
On the women’s side, the team saw less success, with the Leopards earning a 1-6 record in their seven matches. The sole win was against Wheaton 24-3. The losses came against Stevens 16-11, NJIT 22-5, LIU 14-13, Wagner 16-11, Cornell 24-3 and Drew 17-10. The women won 78 bouts out of 189.
Freshman foil Zoe Lenz notched 15 wins for the Maroon and White, with senior epee Zoe O’Connor and freshman epee Hilla Weatherhill each adding 12.
Senior foil Anna Silver noted that the team came in feeling like they would be overlooked by other programs, but that they would maintain their confidence heading into the meet.
“It paid off this weekend as the men had a great record, and the women’s team showed great promise,” Silver wrote in an email.
Silver won eight of her bouts, with wins against Stevens, Drew and a sweep against Wagner.
“In the morning, I was a little too tense, and it showed in my fencing,” Silver wrote. “In the afternoon, I fenced much better after reflecting, talking with my teammates and working with the tactics I know work for myself.”
Silver noted that she felt the rest of the team was also easing into in-season play.
“I think the team has warmed up now and gotten over the nerves of the first meet; after the performance at the invitational we know our capabilities as a program,” Silver wrote. “I think the team knows each how each other fences at meets, who they can rely on for advice, and the positive energy we all give to each other when cheering.”
The fencing team will compete at Vassar College this Sunday in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Whitehead emphasized that he was optimistic about his final season with the team.
“I‘m just super excited to have a good season,” he said.
Disclaimer: News Editor Makenna McCall ’27 is a member of the fencing team. She did not contribute writing or reporting.