Nick Toth Open
9/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Fencing
Sept. 13, 2008
USAF Academy, Colo. - The Air Force Academy fencing team hosted the annual Nick Toth Open this weekend, Sept. 13-14. In Day 1, the Falcons had 10 fencers finish in the top 10 in four events. Freshman Simone Barrette took first place in the senior women's epee event. Junior Daniel Trapani took second in senior mixed epee followed by junior Peter French who tied third. Junior Michael O'Connor took second place in senior mixed saber and senior Angelica Plazas tied third in senior women's saber.
Also finishing in the top 10 was freshman Rebecca Bodtke who took fifth place in women's saber and junior Jennifer Nolta placed seventh. Two freshmen, Sam Rinaldi and Phil Choy finished sixth and ninth, respectively, in mixed epee. Newcomer Geoffrey Pamerleau earned his E08 US Fencing Association (USFA) rating. He finished 10th in mixed saber. Plazas also earned her E08 USFA rating after finishing 12th in the event.
In the bout that decided the top two fencers for the championship round, AFA's French and Trapani went up against each other in a close match. Both fencers kept the match tight throughout the first and second periods, but it was Trapani who prevailed and with 15 seconds left, Trapani won the bout 15-11.
After advancing to the championship match, it was Trapani versus Cody Mattern, the No. 2 rated fencer in the country. The match could have gone either way, with Trapani dominating most of the first period until two consecutive double touches opened the way for Mattern. Trapani lost the match, 11-15.
In the women's epee championship round, Barrette out-touched her opponent from the New Mexico Fencing Foundation, 15-6, in her first collegiate match of her Air Force career.
"I feel amazing and I think I made a good impression and came through for my team," said Barrette.
In the mixed saber championship round, O'Connor lost the match, 11-15, to Alex Logatchov from the Colorado Fencing Academy.
"This was a very good first competition and our fencers had a good day," said head coach Abdel Salem. "We had a freshman epee fencer take first place and Trapani and French took first and second place, respectively. In saber, O'Connor took second place. The season looks promising."
