The Duke fencing team ended its season this weekend by taking home three of the six weapon cups in its only home competition of the year.
The women's team (11-7) won four of its five matches en route to taking home the cup in both the epee and the saber. On the men's side, a victory in the saber overshadowed an otherwise disappointing day.
Junior saber Ibtihaj Muhammad culminated a tremendous individual season by going 15-0 Saturday to lead the women. Muhammad, who has finished in the top 11 in the nation the past two years, ended the season with a 40-3 record, the second 40-win season of her career. Junior epee Anne Kercsmar matched Muhammad's 15-0 mark in leading the epee team to victory.
"It was really nice being home, having the support of friends and family," Kercsmar said. "That really helps. It's the perfect way to end the season."
Head coach Alex Beguinet was impressed with the performance of his women's team, which notched the best mark of its season at 4-1.
"It was good to see them do what they can do, what they're supposed to do," Beguinet said. "All year they have been good together and that was just the apex for them today."
Although the tenth-ranked men's team (9-9) only went 2-3 Friday, the saber team salvaged the day by winning its division. Freshman Peter Truszkowski led the way with an impressive 13-2 record while senior John Cornwell finished 10-5.
"It wasn't looking good early, but we started doing what we do, we got in the zone," Truszkowski said. "This is the best we've fenced as a team."
Duke's outstanding rapport was cited by Beguinet and several of his fencers as the key to the weekend and the season.
"There was strong teamwork," sophomore Jackson McClam said. "We're not the best team around, but we stick together."
Although the team schedule has been completed, many fencers will compete individually at the Junior Olympics in Hartford, Conn., next week and at the NCAA Regionals in March.
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