W Fencing | A full-fledged youth movement

Having recently been inducted into the United States Fencing Hall of Fame, coach Dave Micahnik is entering his 35th year at the helm of Penn's program. But the team keeps getting younger.

Heading into the season, the Penn women's fencing team consists of 12 freshmen and sophomores - two-thirds of the roster - to go with a mere six upperclassmen.

The team's top recruits include Dominika Franciskowicz, who won two gold medals at the U.S. Summer Junior National Championships, and Laura Paragano and Alexandra Kozyra, who each have won state titles.

"They know how to win and are excited to bring their talent to the collegiate level," Micahnik said.

This new youth movement has become a topic of conversation this off season.

"We've gained a lot of freshmen, so hopefully they can step in," senior captain Ilana Sinkin said. "It's looking good."

Sophomore Danielle Kamis, a 2008 honorable mention All-American, also stressed the talent of the incoming freshman class and the importance of taking full advantage of Micahnik's instruction, which she said has kept her energy and endurance up.

At sabre, the team returns the Intercollegiate Fencing Association co-champion trio of senior Cassandra Partyka, junior Alexis Baran and sophomore Danielle Kamis, the 2008 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Champion.

In addition to Franciskowicz, the Quakers will welcome another international player, Noelle Tay of Singapore.

"Dominika and Noelle bring a lot of international competition experience to the team," Kamis said. "This year, I think the sabre group has so many good fencers that it will be hard to choose who will compete every week."

Sinkin, a 2008 honorable mention All-America and first team All-Ivy selection, contributes much experience to a foil squad that graduated a pair of second-team All-Ivy selections.

She's been instrumental in redefining Quakers fencing, instituting a new practice schedule as well as a new strength and conditioning program.

"In years past, we've separated the squads based on their weapon, but this year we're trying to focus on coming together as a more cohesive group," Sinkin said. "We are building a team unity that wasn't there in years past."

With senior Kristen Hughes and junior Kathryn Anthony leading the epee squad, the upcoming season looks promising. Anthony was the 2008 IFA Championships silver medalist and posted 11 Ivy League wins.

As for the rest of the Ivy League, Columbia and Harvard will be the greatest obstacles for the Quakers.

"Columbia in years past has given us the most trouble and will be at the top of the league this season," said Sinkin.

Harvard's senior captain, Emily Cross, returns from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where she won a silver medal as a member of U.S. women's foil team.

"The Ivy League features some of the best fencers in the country," Micahnik said. "Our success will come down to how we match up on those days."

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