Men's Fencing Team Win Three at Home
1/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Fencing
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Jan. 13, 2008
Academy, Colo. - The Air Force Academy men's fencing team went 3-2 at the 2008 NCAA Western Invitational on Sunday, Jan. 13. Air Force's men's epee team was the Falcons' biggest winner, finishing 4-1 overall, with wins against NCAA Western Regional rivals Cal State Fullerton (8-1), UC San Diego (8-1) and Stanford (8-1). The epee team's only loss came to Notre Dame (4-5). Overall the Falcons finished 3-2 in the tournament. Notre Dame and Stanford came out even, both winning 4-1. UC San Diego finished 2-2 and Florida ended the day 1-4.
In epee, Air Force put in a powerful performance, losing only to Notre Dame (4-5). The Western Invitational is the final home tournament of the season for the Falcons' seniors. The team of senior Fred Meyer, sophomore Peter French and freshman Daniel Trapani, Air Force's team anchor, gave solid performances. For Meyer, it's his last home meet of his Academy career.
"I am very proud of our men's epee team," said head coach Abdel Salem. "This is Fred's last year and to close out his Academy career at home with these wins is good for him and the team. Both our men and women's epee teams have been our anchor teams all year."
In men's foil, the Falcons' freshmen fenced strong going 3-2 overall. The freshmen team of Nicholas Stockdale, William Hock, Ian Hocking and Daniel Fang beat regional rivals, Fullerton 9-0 and Stanford 5-4 and went 9-0 against Florida. Their only losses came against UC San Diego (3-6) and Notre Dame (2-7).
"The freshmen foil team has really stepped up and along with our epee team beating a couple of our regional rivals," said Salem.
Air Force's saber team was not as fortunate; the team of senior Brent Watson, sophomore Michael O'Connor and Alexander Brand's only win was against Cal Fullerton, 5-4. The saber team finished the day 1-4.
On Saturday, the Air Force women's team beat the Florida Gators, 15-12, and Cal State Fullerton, 22-4, and finished 2-3 overall. Senior Eliza Enyart, native of Bend, Ore., was the Falcons' top performer in Saturday's Invitational, finishing with an overall 12-3 win. Enyart has been one of the teams' top women's epee fencers throughout her Academy career.
Air Force will travel to Atlanta, Ga., for the North American Cup Division I and Junior tournament, Jan. 18-21.
2008 Western InvitationalFinal Team Standings1. Notre Dame (4-1)2. Stanford (4-1)3. Air Force (3-2)4. UC San Diego (2-2)5. Florida (1-4)
