Ever since Coach John Bruckner and Assistant Coach Chris Hammond took over the Fencing program at Oyster Bay High School, they have built a winning tradition year after year. The 2010 – 2011 season brings more accolades to OBEN Athletics.
In Boy’s Epee competition, Team Captain, Junior Jack Greenfield, was selected to the All County First Team and was chosen All Long Island. Senior Andrew Stefano made the All County Second Team. Junior Dan McCartney earned All County Honorable Mention.
In the Saber class, Captain, Junior Matt LaRosa was chosen for the All County First Team and also earned All Long Island distinction. Junior Boyd Warwick-Clark made the All County Second Team.
In the Foil competition, Captain, Junior Mateusz Kalamon and Sophomore Nick LaRosa both were selected to the All County First Team.
The Girls’ Fencing Team also produced many stand out athletes. In Girls’ Foil, Captain, Senior Emily Eisenberg and Sophomore JoAnn Alerte made the All County Second Team. Sophomore Silvana Fazzalari earned All County Honorable Mention.
In the Saber competition, Captain, Senior LeeAnne Dillmann made the All County Second Team and Junior Jillian Murray earned All County Honorable Mention.
As a team, the Boys were Second Place in Nassau County League play and First Place in Division 2. The Girls finished Fifth Place in Nassau County League and Third Place in Division 2.
Senior Captain LeeAnne Dillmann was selected as the Girls Nassau County Fencer’s Fencer. This award is selected by other teams as the person who they would emulate and would want on their team. This is a very highly coveted award in Nassau County. In the last five years, three Oyster Bay Girls have been selected.
In the Nassau County Tournament held on Feb. 5, the Oyster Bay High School Fencing Team did quite well. Junior Jack Greenfield placed first in the Epee class. Junior Matt LaRosa placed third in the Saber while Junior Boyd Warwick-Clark placed sixth in the same category. Sophomore Nick LaRosa placed fourth in Foil competition. Senior Emily Eisenberg placed third in Foil competition. Junior Jillian Murray placed sixth using the Saber.
This past winter Jillian Murray qualified for the Junior Olympics in Women’s Saber. Matt LaRosa also qualified for the Junior Olympics. Nick LaRosa missed qualifying by just one point.
Jack Greenfield, who is nationally rated ‘B11’ by the United States Fencing Association (USFA), traveled to Dallas to participate in the North American Cup, finishing 79th out of an international field of 257 of the top ranked fencers of all ages. Jack took first place in the USFA Long Island Division Junior Olympics Qualifiers in both the cadet (U17) and junior (U20) age groups. He will have to miss the Junior Olympics due to a scheduling conflict.
On Saturday, Feb. 12, the Fencing Team traveled to Garden City to compete in the Nassau County Championship. The Girls Team came in third. The Boys Team came in first and are the Nassau County Champions
