In Season's Final Dual, Ramapo Fencers Defeat Teaneck

Ramapo defeated Teaneck 17-10 (14-10) in the last dual meet of the season on Friday.

Ramapo got off to an uncharacteristically slow start when the sabreists dropped two of their three opening round bouts. Foil added to the problem by dropping all three of their first round bouts to put the score at Teaneck 5, Ramapo 1, the biggest lead that Ramapo has allowed any competitor this season.

Fortunately, Ramapo epeeist fenced very well, sweeping all three of their bouts to close Teaneck’s lead to 5-4.  In the second round sabre went 2-1, and foil went 1-2 to finally gain a one-bout lead for Ramapo. Ramapo epeeists, who were the stars of tonight’s meet, again swept all three of their bouts to give Ramapo a 10-8 lead, which it never relinquished. The third round results for sabre were again 2-1, and foil also produced two victories, as substitute Tim Lee won his bout to clinch the match at 14-10. Ramapo subs took over and won all three of their 3rd round epee bouts to put the final score at 17-10.

Ramapo epeeists made a clean sweep going 9-0 for the first time this season in league meets. Sam Judd went 2-0, dominating his opponents with 5-1 scores and finishing the season with 26-3 record, winning 90 percent of his bouts, the best result on the squad.  Scott Zellers and Matt Martone each went 2-0 as both won tough bouts by one touch. Third round subs Adam Polevoy, Michael Daly and Ed Lim did extremely well as they each went 1-0 against Teaneck starters. The epee squad finished 1st in Districts, and 2nd at Cetrulo and has a medal in their sights on Sunday at the State Squad Championship.

Our sabre squad had a tough meet as Teaneck’s Khalil Thompson who took first in the District individuals swept all three of his bouts. Alex Gorloff came closest to beating Khalil as he jumped to a 4-1 lead. Khalil fought back, benefitting from a number of calls that could have gone either way and finally scored the winning touch. Alex won his other two bouts by comfortable margins to finish the season with a 34-2 record, winning 94 percent of his bouts, the best result on the squad and the entire team. Chris Muller contributed two victories, one of them by an overwhelming 5-0 score. Greg Duch also produced one victory dominating his opponent 5-1. The squad finished with a 5-4 record.

Ramapo foilists struggled to a 3-6 record as Tanner Frank produced two solid victories but was assisted only by substitute Tim Lee who fenced a Teaneck starter and overwhelmed him with a 5-0 victory. Tanner finished the season with an 18-15 record, winning 56 percent of his bouts, the best result on the foil squad.

Ramapo fencers should arrive at 7:15 a.m. Sunday for the trip to North Hunterdon High School to fence in the State Squad Championship.

Fencing is expected to start at 9:30 a.m.  Please come and support the team. It makes a difference!

Ramapo’s prior dual meets against: Nyack 28-1 (14-1), Fair Lawn 23-4 (14-2), Passaic Valley 16-11 (14-7), Bernards 15-12 (14-12), Columbia 11-16 (8-14), Don Bosco 13-14 (12-14), Pompton Lakes 17-10 (14-5), Northern Highlands 19-8 (14-4), Indian Hills 15-12 (14-5), Bergen Tech 19-8 (14-3), Pingry 16-11 (14-10), Wayne Hills 18-9 (14-7).

State Championship meets against: Pingry 16-11 (14-10),  Ridge 13-14 (12-14)

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