Columbia Women's Foil Takes Silver and Bronze at October NAC
10/13/2014 12:46:00 PM | Fencing
PORTLAND, Ore. – A total of 23 current Columbia fencers took to the strip at the US Fencing October North American Cup, Oct. 10-13. The first event of the 2014-15 season, which is a key qualifier for both the 2015 Senior and Junior World Championships, saw 1,600 athletes including the best fencers on the continent compete at the Oregon Convention Center.
The Lions saw the most success in the Division I women's foil as three of their four competitors finished in the top-six. Jackie Dubrovich led the way as the junior claimed silver. After posting a 6-0, plus-19 indicator in pool play, the Riverdale, New Jersey, native received a bye in the round of 128 before navigating through the remainder of the table. Dubrovich took down Eliza Klyce (15-7), Charlotte Sands (15-3) and Liana Semel (15-5) to advance to the quarterfinals where she met a familiar face, Nicole Ross '11CC. Durbovich bested her former teammate, who ended the tournament fifth, and defeated Kelleigh Ryan, 14-10, to reach the finals. The fifth-ranked fencer in the tournament, Dubrovich had her run halted by third-seeded Madison Zeiss, 12-7.
Dubrovich was joined in the foil by classmate Margaret Lu and sophomores Sara Taffel and Jessie Laffey. Lu and Taffel each put on an impressive shows as each reached the quarterfinals. Taffel fell victim to Lu's sword, 15-14, to place sixth overall. Lu advanced to the semis, but could not overcome the eventual winner Zeiss (15-11). Laffey beat her first two opponents before being eliminated by Sylive Binder, 11-10, in the round of 32.
Two Columbia rookies battled in the Division I women's sabre; Lena Johnson and Anastasia Ivanoff. Johnson, who received a bye in the first round, downed Marissa Ponich of Canada, 15-11, before falling to Francesca Russo, 15-11, in the round of 32. After upsetting Alyssa Hofilena, 15-14, in her first bout, Ivanoff dropped a 15-6 decision to Chloe Fox-Gitomer.
A quartet of epeeist round out the Columbia women's fencers as senior Natalie Gegan (124), sophomore Mason Speta (35) and first-years Audrey Yun (51T) and Annie Morelli (91) competed in the Division I women's epee.
Columbia was also represented in each weapon on the men's side. Michael Costin paced the Lions' men performances with a fifth-place finish in the Division I men's sabre. The sophomore ranked tied for first into the direct elimination tables where he earned a bye. Costin defeated Andrew Rischl (15-8), Calvin Liang (15-9) and Gavin Turner (15-8) to reach the quarterfinals where he met Daryl Homer. Costin, who calls Culver City, California, home, fell to the eventual winner, 15-11. Junior Geoffrey Loss and senior Michael Josephs finished 13th and 15th, respectively, while alumni Jeff Spear '10CC finished between the two current Lions in 14th. Senior Will Spear took 27th as sophomore Chris Ahn tied for 40th.
The Lions saw its sixth top-ten performance of the weekend come in the Division I men's foil as junior Adam Mathieu turned in a sixth-place showing. First-year Marc Berghouse (64) also competed in the foil.
Rookies Gabe Canaux (45) and Porter Hesslegrave (38) along with juniors Brian Ro (50) and Justin Wan (96) fenced in the Division I men's epee.
Columbia's 2014-15 season commences Friday, Nov. 14 when it welcomes Fairleigh Dickinson, Florida, NJIT and Stevens to Morningside Heights.
Players Mentioned
