WinterPreview

    The fencing team is now entering its second year as a varsity sport. The team, excited by last year's performance, is gearing up for bigger and better things. "Last year my goal was not to lose all the meets. And we succeeded. This year our goal is to have a winning record," said Jeff Salmon, coach of the Boys Team. "We will be extremely aggressive, if not dominant."

     To prepare their teams, Salmon and Girls Fencing Coach Jennifer Dhondt are beginning a strict regimen of exercise and practice. Every day they will run one and a half miles and, for two weeks, they will not pick up a "weapon". The purpose of this is to get them in shape for the season. They will also be working on their footwork

     When they do get to start with the weapons, they will be divided into three sections: epee, foil, and sabre. Foil and epee involve just the point of the blade. Only touches using the point are counted, while sabre involves the point as well as the edge. In addition, the area of the body that touches (points) can be won on varies from weapon to weapon. In epee, for example, the entire body is a target, including the head and feet.

     Salmon and Dhondt, as well as Captains Samantha Erck and Devin Gomez, seniors, have their work cut out for them. Since fencing has only recently become popular at Ward Melville, most people have nothing more than a basic idea of how to fence. According to the team, it takes a great deal of hard work and practice to become good at fencing, but the basic idea is simple enough. "I think our girls team is very promising, our chances are good," said Erck.

     The team's first meet is on December 16 in Mamaroneck, NY. Both teams will be competing.