Sports

Ramapo Fencers Bounce Back with Clutch Win

Swordsmen trounce Bergen Tech 17-10 (14-5)

The following  Fencing report was submitted by Coach Paul Apostol:

Ramapo fencers rebounded from a disappointing loss earlier in the week to win a decisive victory over Bergen Tech, clinching the meet very early at a score of 14-5.

Starters dueled to an 8-1 score by the end of the first round.

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Starting sabreists stayed in the match for the second round and brought the score to 10-2 at which point Ramapo’s bench took over from the starters.

At the end of the second round, the score stood at 13-5 and a 3rd flight of Ramapo fencers entered the match. The first sabreist in the 3rd round, senior Taylor Valdez, clinched the meet with an exciting 5-3 bout when he beat Bergen Tech’s star sabreist Alex Catoya, who finished 4th in the District Championships last weekend. The third flight Ramapo fencers went 4-5 in the final round to reach a final score of 17-10.

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Sabreists, Overall Captain, senior Charles Copti, Squad Captain, senior Josh Chang, and sophomore Alex Gorloff swept the first round. While Josh and Alex won by decisive 5-2 and 5-1 bouts, Charles found himself in a real battle with Catoya, who is his close friend and who trains with Charles at the Manhattan Fencing Center, where the entire US Olympic Sabre Team trains.

Charles jumped out to a 4-2 lead over Catoya but then made a few mistakes that resulted in a 4-4 score. Charles finally executed his best action, a powerful driving attack, to score the 5th touch and win the bout.

Charles ended the day with a 2-0 record, as did squad mate Alex Gorloff, who allowed only one touch against him in his two bouts. Josh added one victory as did Taylor, sophomore Gregory Duch and freshman Dan Carione to end the meet with an 8-1 record for the squad.

Starting foilists, Squad Captain, junior Tyler Clarke and junior Tanner Frank decisively won their first round bouts by scores of 5-0 and 5-1. Second round substitutes, sophomores Dan J. Kim, Tim Lee and Nick Carpino swept their bouts with Tim and Nick overwhelming their opponents with 5-0 scores.

Tyler Tim and Nick all faced Bergen Tech opponents that had a fatal flaw; they began their attacks with a preparation where they withdrew their arm before the final action.

In foil, this loses the attacker the right of way. All three Ramapo fencers were coached to wait for their opponent to attack and to execute a straight thrust when the opponents arm was withdrawn.

All three Ramapo fencers executed the plan perfectly, scoring repeatedly against their frustrated Bergen Tech rivals. Third round substitute Daniel H. Kim added another win to provide a 6-3 victory for the squad. The foilists fenced better than they have all season.

Ramapo’s starting epeeists Squad Captain, junior Scott Zellers and fellow junior Sam Judd both won their first round bouts as did squad mate sophomore Michael Daly, resulting in a 3-0 record at the end of the first round. Scott’s victory was one of his strongest bouts this season, defeating his opponent 5-1.

Unfortunately, the second and third round substitutes were unable to add any victories despite a number of bouts, which were tied at 4-4 before the winning touch. The epee squad ended the day with a 3-6 record. 

There was also a JV meet, not fenced to completion, in which Ramapo was ahead 16-6 when the meet ended. Sabreist, sophomore Gregg Duch went 2-0, while his squad mates, Taylor Valdez, Alex Gorloff, Adam Carcione, Dan Carione and Chris Muller all added one victory apiece.

In foil, Daniel J Kim, Tim Lee, Nick Carpino, Dan H. Kim and John DeFalco each contributed one victory.

Epeeists Matt Martone, Anthony Sclafani and Matt Rizzo also earned one victory apiece.

Ramapo’s next meet is Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 4:15 p.m. at West Milford.

Contact Coach Paul Apostol at 201-891-6208 or pdapostol@optonline.net.

If you'd like to submit photos, video or other information to be considered for publication, contact editor Joseph M. Gerace at Joseph.Gerace@patch.com, or via Facebook or Twitter.


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