Incredible First Fencing Meet
With 21 students fielding all six weapon squads (men’s and women’s foil, men’s and women’s epee, and men’s and women’s saber), this year’s squad is the biggest and best fencing squad in Ida Crown history. The team boasts seven new fencers: Zoe Shabat in women’s epee, Aryeh Richter and Ori Bauman in men’s saber, Nathan Fensterheim and Yonah Gutstein in men’s epee, Abigail Koifman in women’s saber, and Yossel Goldbloom in men’s foil. In addition, two assistant coaches, Arthur Rubin and alumna Sarah Quintas are working with Head Coach Sara Price to lead the team to their best season yet.
On Tuesday, the team faced off against the top fencing high school in the Midwest, New Trier, in the first dual meet of the season at Ida Crown. It was a great test for the new fencers. Goldbloom and Shabat posted one victory each in their first high school competition.
The team fenced at a very high level. Both the women’s and men’s foil squads came close to defeating the Trevians in two heartbreaking 4 – 5 losses. Jacob Felix had a breakout performance for men’s foil winning two of his three bouts, and squad leader Shimon Stein and freshman Yossel Goldbloom both won one bout each. In women’s foil, team captain Dena Lebowitz continued her domination of the field by going undefeated against the New Trier squad. Chaya Feige Friedman brought in the fourth squad victory.
Women’s and men’s epee struggled in their encounters, but several Ida Crown women’s epee fencers helped contribute 6 victories in the squads 14 – 6 defeat. Tamar Dallal won three of her four bouts, Julia Polster contributed two victories to the squad tally, and newcomer Zoe Shabat posted the sixth win of the encounter. Men’s captain Ezra Schur posted the only win in the men’s epee contest.
Gail Schneiderman boasted the breakout performance in women’s saber, posting two victories and one loss. Masha Matten scored the additional win in a nine – three defeat. Men’s saber didn’t post any victories, but the squad fought a tremendous fight against a fast and aggressive New Trier squad.
On Sunday, Ida Crown will be hosting Highland Park and Deerfield in an exciting three-way meet. All are welcome to cheer on the Aces at noon in the gym. Want to see a meet in action? Watch a fencing video of Ori Bauman here.