Team combines for 7-1 record at 2015 West Point Fencing Invitational at Arvin. Army Fencing hosted the 2015 West Point Fencing Invitational Jan. 17 at Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center, and the home team earned first place with the highest combined win-loss record of the day (7-1). The opening ceremony featured Class of 2015 Cadet Tessa Knight, women’s team captain, singing the national anthem while two Vietnam veterans who have long served as referees and tournament managers for the invitational held the American flag.
The men’s team also took a first-place berth, being the only undefeated squad at the competition (4-0). Both the epee and sabre squads went undefeated in the annual invitational. Class of 2015 Cadet Marvin Hargraves was the top athlete, finishing the day at 11-1 in epee. Class of 2016 Cadet Blake Gordon, the reigning national champion in sabre, went 10-2. Other impressive records included Class of 2017 Cadet Gus Williams in sabre (9-3), Class of 2018 Cadet Aaron Mellstrom in epee (9-3), Class of 2018 Cadet Josh Qualls in foil (7-4) and Class of 2015 Cadet Shawn Cooper in foil (5-3). The men defeated all varsity opponents from University of Detroit (18-9), Cleveland State University (15-12), Swarthmore College (19-8) and Hunter College (20-7). Full Story»
Photo Courtesy of Mike Strasser.