The men’s fencing team from Yale University launched its season with an impressive performance at the Vassar Open Invitational, winning all five of its matches. After a successful 2022-2023 season that saw them finish with a record of 18-7, including an undefeated run at the previous Vassar event, the Bulldogs showcased their skills once again on the weekend of November 11-12, 2023.
Starting strong, Yale secured a decisive victory against Drew University with a score of 21-6. They followed this with another dominant win over Stevens College, replicating the scoreline. The Bulldogs continued their momentum by defeating Lafayette College 19-8 and Johns Hopkins University 18-9. They wrapped up the day with a final victory against Sacred Heart University, finishing 19-8.
Captain Jordan Silberzweig, a sophomore, expressed the team’s eagerness to compete at a high level. In an email, he noted, “After months of preparation and long morning practices, we came in hungry to compete at a high level.” He also highlighted the excitement surrounding the incoming class of first-year fencers.
Looking ahead, the Bulldogs aim to improve on last year’s performance at the Ivy League Championships, where they faced challenges despite a strong regular season record of 18-3. Last season, their combined efforts led to an 11th place finish out of 33 teams at the NCAA Championships. This year, Yale returns three NCAA Championship qualifiers: Tony Whelan, Silberzweig, and Castor Kao, who currently ranks sixth nationally in foil competition.
The preparation and intensity of practices have been key to the Bulldogs’ strategy. Silberzweig pointed out the importance of focusing on both individual performance and team support, especially when coaches were engaged with the women’s team during their competitions.
On the women’s side, Amanda O’Donnell, the team captain, indicated that this season has a promising outlook as well. The women’s team concluded last season with a record of 23-8-1, remaining undefeated through the Yale Invitational and Brandeis Invitational. This year, they welcomed four first-year fencers who have already competed at the World Championships, bringing additional experience to an already strong team.
Over the weekend, the women’s team achieved a commendable record of six wins and one loss at their tournament. They dominated matches against Yeshiva University and Lafayette College, winning 21-0 and 20-1, respectively. They also secured victories against Tufts University (18-9), Wagner College, and Wellesley College (both 19-8). Their only setback came in a narrow loss to Cornell University with a score of 13-14, but they finished strong with a win against Brown University at 16-11.
O’Donnell expressed optimism for the season ahead, stating, “The past meet went well. We beat six teams, including Brown, which set a really good tone for the rest of the season.” She emphasized the potential for further improvement as more starters return and the team gains additional training time together.
The Bulldogs will next compete in the Tri-State Shark Showcase in Brooklyn on November 23, 2023, where they will look to build on their strong start and continue their successful season in both men’s and women’s fencing.
