Fencers pleased with Penn State Open results

It was only the preseason, but Alex Edelman and Megumi Sakae would probably prefer the results of the annual Penn State Open counted in the official standings. Those fencers led the way for the Penn's men's and women's squads at the challenging weekend tournament. Although competition may be fierce, and champions are declared, last weekend's open has no bearing on any records this season, and its results are not important. It is recognized mainly as a learning event, where it is more crucial that fencers discover in which skills they are deficient, and which opponents will cause trouble. "It is a great gauge of how you're doing heading into the season," Edelman said. Edelman, as a sophomore, has already established himself as a national force in his field of epee. His placement of third out of 65 individual fencers in epee was not a major shock, but a welcome accomplishment. He was satisfied with his performance. Edelman came back after losing in the semifinals to win his third-place bout. "Finding victory after defeat is always a tough thing to do," he said. In that semifinal bout, Edelman lost to an impressive freshman from St. John's who proceeded to win the final. But at the end of the grueling day of competition, Edelman found enough to win his last bout. "In the first three rounds of competition, five touches wins. But in the single elimination bracket of the final 16, you need 15 touches," Edelman said. "That really takes a lot out of you. So winning those final bouts is made even harder." Edelman's epee counterpart, senior Bon Suk Ku, did not fare as well. He was one of two Quakers who suffered leg injuries during play. Ku finished 31st, but was greatly hampered by the injury throughout the day. John Demas, who specializes in the sabre, was forced to retire in the first round due to an upper leg injury. Coach Dave Micahnik preferred he prevent further impairment rather than continue in the preseason event. Foil competition featured Penn's largest men's contingent with Adam Brown reaching the final 16 before being eliminated. Junior Eric Banks, sophomore William Seo and freshman Amir Mohsenin were all knocked out in the earlier rounds. The co-captain of the women's squad, Sakae, made it to the round of eight in foil before being ousted by the defending NCAA champion from Penn State. Sakae's finish was not a surprise. According to Edelman, she is viewed as a strong veteran member of the foil squad. Anastasia Gunzburg, a rising freshman in women's epee, also was stopped before the round of 16, but in more dramatic fashion. She lost her final bout by one touch.