M. Fencing takes 5th

The Penn men's fencing team traveled to Boston this weekend figuring to finish in the top three at the Intercollegiate Fencing Association championships. But things did not go exactly as planned. Due to the surprising strength of Yale and Harvard -- who finished in third and fourth places respectively -- Penn had to settle for fifth, though the Quakers were only three bouts away from the coveted third-place trophy. The foil team, which Quakers coach Dave Micahnik felt had the best chance to win a weapons title, finished a disappointing fourth, but only two bouts out of first place. Penn's Nathan Anderson went 4-4 in his bouts in the A pool, while Adam Brown led the foil team, winning seven of his eight bouts in the B pool. However, Micahnik said there were two things which undermined the foil team's chances for victory -- specifically mentioning some calls from the director. "There were a couple of controversial bouts taken away from Anderson," Micahnik said. "And it was also a case of some people over trying." The sabre team, which was forced to compete without its star sabre George Kalmar, finished fifth. Kalmar was unable to compete due an extreme fracture in his right ankle. "Not to put the sabre team down," Micahnik said, "but George makes a big difference, being a three-time All-American." On the second day of the competition, only individual titles were at stake. Overall, epee Alex Edelman's second-place finish was the highest of any Penn fencer. "Edelman had a wonderful meet," Micahnik said. "If he goes to the NCAAs he'll do all right." Foilists Anderson and Brown placed seventh and eighth, respectively, while Sandy Agashiwala captured third in the sabre competition. Micahnik refused to speculate on how the tournament will affect the chances of individual Penn fencers getting bids to the NCAAs. "I can only guess who will be asked to nationals," Micahnik said. "People who have possibilities are those who fenced well in the regular season and who performed well at IFAs." Normally a fencer has to compete at the IFAs to get a bid for the NCAAs. However, Kalmar -- who missed the last two tournaments of the season -- will be able to appeal to the NCAA committee because of his late-season injury.