Stevens women’s fencing claims first EWFC Championship since 2002

After 13 years, Stevens Institute of Technology finally captured the Eastern Women’s Fencing Conference (EWFC) Dual Meet Championship. On the 15th anniversary of the EWFC, the Ducks snapped Johns Hopkins University’s five-year streak of EWFC Championships this past Sunday at home, earning their first championship since 2002 and third in conference history.

While the Ducks’ team effort earned them the EWFC Dual Meet Championship, the efforts by their fencers in singles competition brought two EWFC Denise O’Conner Fencers of the Year titles home to Stevens. Beyond the success of women’s fencing at the conference, the day marked both the last home meet for Stevens women’s fencing for the 2014–2015 season, and Senior Day, the last home meet for the seniors of women’s fencing.

Competing with seven other Division III schools — Drew University, Haverford College, Yeshiva University, Hunter College, City College of New York, Vassar College, and Johns Hopkins University — the Ducks had a tough challenge ahead of them with Johns Hopkins and Drew together accounting for 11 of the past 14 EWFC Championships.

During an intermission, a referee who wished to remain anonymous commented on the nature of the competition at the conference, saying, “I’ve been very impressed by the level of competition today. There have been quite a few strong schools [and] quite a few strong fencers. It’s encouraging to see such a great turnout today and every participant is certainly doing a great job representing their school.”

At the end seven rounds for each weapon (foil, épée, and saber), Stevens emerged victorious as a team, 7-0. Coach Linda Vollkommer attributed the success of Stevens women’s fencing at the team portion of the EWFC Championship to the team’s unity: “Everything came together and they were on fire today. It was a real team effort because everyone won bouts as a team.”

Junior sabreur Zoe To added to Vollkommer’s comments, explaining, “We have a really in-depth team. We don’t have one person that really stands out. We just have everybody that’s really good.”

For the seniors on women’s fencing, winning the EWFC Dual Meet Championship meant even more than updating the 15-year-old championship banner in the Schaefer Athletic Center. “I’m a very nostalgic person, so it’s tough. [Stevens women’s fencing] is a lot of fun. I’m gonna miss it a lot,”  said senior foilist Taia Harrison who earned her 200th win at the conference, “I’ll be back next year to help out all the time: giving it all, having fun, making memories, and leaving my mark.”

To senior épéeist Rebecca Merrick, the conference was a bittersweet day because of the bonds she has forged with her teammates since joining women’s fencing in 2011: “I’m a little upset. They’re great people. I’ve made a lot of friends. I’m still going to be able to coach next year a little bit. I’m not leaving altogether, but I’m pretty sad.”

Despite the fact that this would be the last home meet for the seniors on women’s fencing, the day was still one of great satisfaction. “I’m pretty excited,” remarked senior épéeist Sienna Batzli, “I’ve been on the team since my freshman year and finally beating [Johns Hopkins] was definitely awesome.”

“I feel like this win was a culmination of all the hard work we’ve put in this season,” said freshman sabreur Karen Kong, “I’m especially proud of everyone because just two weeks ago half the team was sick and half the team was injured, so to recover from all of that and come out on top is a great feeling.”

After Stevens claimed the EWFC Dual Meet Championship, qualified fencers prepared for singles competition in direct elimination tournaments for each weapon to determine three recipients for the Denise O’Conner Fencer of the Year award and the EWFC All-Star Teams (pictured below).

In the words of sophomore sabreur Kyria Johnson regarding the team’s earlier triumph as EWFC Dual Meet Champions, “This year we were a little tougher, fought a little harder, and came out on top.” That statement held true for the singles portion of the EWFC Championship, as freshman foilist Abigail Kaye and junior sabreur Zoe To were crowned the Denise O’Conner Fencers of the Year for their respective weapons.

A further testament to Stevens’ performance at the conference was that Kaye and To’s opponents in the finals were Stevens’ own, junior foilist Caroleen Chen and freshman sabreur Karen Kong respectively.

“I’m really honored to be awarded this,” said Kaye, who attended her first Eastern Women’s Fencing Conference, “It’s really nice because this competition showed me how capable I am and hopefully it’ll lead to good things in the future as well.”

To’s bout with Kong for the Denise O’Connor Saber Fencer of the Year was a memorable moment: “For me, it was kind of just like practice. I fence [Karen] all the time at practice and it doesn’t really matter to me if I got first or second, because I know Stevens will come out on top. I know it sounds cheesy, but we both fenced really well. I feel really proud about that bout.”

As the conference concluded, awards were given out, and the seniors spent their last time in uniform at home, the future of women’s fencing became more relevant than ever.

“I think [the future] looks great. We’ve got some freshman and younger girls that are doing really well,” explained Volunteer Assistant Coach Beatrice Wilson, “We have them carrying our team. We have starters that are freshman.”

From the perspective of junior Caroleen Chen, there was no concern about the future because of the strength of team’s younger fencers: “The team is in good hands, especially with our freshman. I trust them.”

However, the seniors of Stevens women’s fencing will be missed.

“The seniors, I’m really, really going to miss them,” reflected freshman Abigail Kaye, “They’re all great leaders. They’re great mentors and I really look up to them, and for the incoming freshman, I’m sure that they’re going to do well, and if not, we can always coach them.”

For Stevens women’s fencing, celebrations cannot last long, as the Ducks’ focus must turn to the postseason: the National Intercollegiate Women’s Fencing Association (NIWFA) Championships and the NCAA National Championships.