Now that nearly a week and a half has passed since four men's fencers returned from the NCAA national tournament held at Brandeis, the fencers have had a chance to reflect upon their season and what lies ahead next year.
Out of a field of 24 in their respective weapons, senior foil and captain Bob Manchen finished the best of the group by placing 15th in the competition. Freshman epée Elliott Chorn and freshman saber Andy Mahen finished 16th in their fields and sophomore foil Davy Bright ended up in 21st place.
"I think everybody was a little bit disappointed with how they did," Manchen said. "Nobody did really poorly, but everybody had the feeling that they could have done a little better."
Manchen said that spring break may have interrupted the practice of some of the team members just before the tournament, putting them at a disadvantage. Additionally, the fact that three of Duke's competing fencers are underclassmen, and consequently do not have as much experience, may have hurt Duke's chances.
"For Eliot, Andy and Davy, it was their first trip, so they may have been a little surprised by the level of competition," Manchen said.
Despite being a little disappointed, the results bode well for next year.
"Overall, we totaled ninth best for the men, and I'm the only person leaving the team next year," he added. "Our men's team was comparatively strong to any team we've had, and it is just going to be better next year."
Manchen feels that the team is on the right track to achieve an even greater degree of success next year.
"I think everyone was heading in the right direction," he said. "There was a good camaraderie, there was a good attendance for practice, and a good work ethic. I think that the team will be stronger and improving all of next season."
The men aren't the only ones, however, who are able to look forward to next season.
Despite an impressive performance from freshmen foil in the NCAA Regionals, the women's team did not advance anyone to the national tournament. Regardless of that fact, however, the women's team has a lot to look forward to next year. The team has enough returning fencers on the epée squad and two good recruits for the foil to fill the ranks and help Duke avoid the trap of competing without a full complement of fencers.
Senior epées Molly Kastory and captain Katherine Nichols will be moving on, as will senior foil Joann Kleinneiur.
In spite of having a strong incoming class, however, there are a few aspects of its competition on which the team needs to improve.
"We kind of ride an emotional roller-coaster when we are fencing," Nichols said. "Generally, it is hard in fencing when you lose any bout when you did something stupid and you get down... and it is hard to get back and steel yourself up and win."
This part of competition was one in which the departing Kastory aided the team a lot.
"She was the factor X in the squad this year," Nichols added. "She was always the same no matter what. She was always there for the team.... We need to gain stability and a mental toughness that helps you get down to business and fence and not get bogged down."
Nichols would have also liked to see the team place another fencer or two at the NCAAs, although she and Manchen acknowledged that this year the team sent more fencers to the tournament than at any time in recent memory.
"Duke is at a place now when they can be sending five or six people to nationals; fencing stronger at Regionals would definitely be a good thing," Nichols said.
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