Fencing: At the West Point Fencing Team’s Annual Invitational in Arvin Gymnasium this past weekend the Men’s Team swept all their opponents going undefeated at 3-0. The men, currently ranked #2 in the nation, defeated 2012 National Champions University of Florida by a score of 21-6. The men also defeated Swarthmore 22-5 and longtime rival Hunter College by 18-9. The Men’s Epee Squad, currently ranked #1 in the MAC Conference, was undefeated and both CDT Marvin Hargraves (9-0) and CDT Mark Owens (6-0) had no losses for the day. CDT Hargraves is still the #1 ranked athlete in epee in our conference. The Men’s Sabre Squad, led by CDT Blake Gordon, who went 9-0 at his first home competition, also had no team losses and finished at 3-0. In the Foil Squad, CDT Jeff Nielsen was undefeated at 6-0, still the #1 ranked athlete in the weapon of foil.
The Women’s Team went 4-2, defeating Swarthmore (18-9), University of Florida (20-7), Hunter College (22-5) and Queens College (19-8). The women only dropped losses to City College of NY (7-20) and Stevens Institute of Technology (6-21). All 3 weapon squads finished at 4-2 as well. The top athlete of the day over all opponents was CDT Darcy Parks in Sabre with a record of 17-1 . CDT Alexandria Rodgers was West Point’s top finish in epee at 13-5 and CDT Leah Fynaut in the Foil Squad set her own record going 11-7 over all opponents.
Snow Sports Club (Nordic Ski Team): The West Point Nordic Ski Team hosted and competed in the Army Nordic Invitational Ski Meet at the Vermont National Guard’s Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vermont. West Point tied for second in team standings in the 10 km Classic-technique race with scoring performances by James Bassette, ’14, (3rd overall), Josh Bassette, ’16, (8th overall) and Andrew Beckmann, ’16, (9th overall). During the a 10 km Skate-technique race Army pulled together a third place team finish. James Bassette led the group again with a 9th place finish. Jordan Roth was the top finisher for the ladies as well.
Ski Patrol Group: Twenty five cadets traveled to Western Massachusetts to familiarize cadet patrollers and candidates with more difficult skiing terrain. The club skied at Jiminy Peak, Berkshire East and Butternut. CDT patrollers augmented the local patrollers and responded to a number of skiing accidents at the resorts. They provided first responder type medical care and transported patients down to the hills for further treatment.
Army Debate Team at Navy: The Army Debate Team traveled to Annapolis to participate in the Crowe-Warken Debate Tournament. After eight preliminary rounds, cadets Jay Saker and Michael Barlow advanced to octofinals in the Varsity division, while cadets Aaron Spikol and Ryan McGovern advanced to partial octofinals in Junior Varsity.
Paintball: The paintball club competed at Battle Creek Paintball’s winter scenario game “Operation Mountain Shield” with 25 cadets. The cadets received “Most Valuable Team” for the blue side. This battle simulated a fight in Afghanistan.
Orienteering Team: The Orienteering Team traveled to Rutledge, GA to compete in the Georgia Navigator Cup. The event consisted of two classic distance races through the woods of Hard Labor Creek State Park. Andrew Eck ‘13 took first place overall and Zachary Schroeder ‘14 took third.
Scuba Team: USMA Scuba went to Pensacola, FL and all divers advanced their skills and certifications. The weather kept the team from their main dive, the USS Oriskany Aircraft carrier. However, the cadets had a plan B ready to go and dove a fresh water spring and the historic Fort Pickens.
Pistol Team: The Pistol Team had a very successful weekend at The Citadel by winning all five events. West Point won the first event, Air Pistol, with a four person team score of 2191 to The Citadel's 2164. Heather Deppe '13 shot the match and team high score of 556 out of a possible 600. West Point won the Standard Pistol event with a team score of 2123 to The Citadel's 2089. Heather Deppe again had the match and team high score with a 555 out of 600. West Point won the Free Pistol event with a score of 2007 to The Citadel's 1882. Steve Halsmer '13 shot the match and team high score of 523 out of 600. West Point's three-event aggregate score was 6321 to The Citadel's 6135. In Women's Air Pistol, West Point shot a three person team score of 1088 to The Citadel's 1066. Heather Deppe led the scoring with a 369 out of a possible 400. In Women's Sport Pistol, West Point won with a score of 1608 to The Citadel's 1559. Heather Deppe shot a 542, Team Captain Victoria Joys shot a 539, and Morgan White shot a 527.