Nov. 19, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The 40th Annual Garret Open, hosted by Penn State, has brought some of the countries most elite fencers to State College this weekend. The two-day event, and first major tournament for the Nittany Lions this season, was kicked off today with the women's competition.
Penn State's very own Margherita Guzzi Vincenti earned herself a first place finish in the women's epee. The senior captain from Milan, Italy has been one of the team's top performers, consistently standing out from the competition. The top three was rounded out by Ohio State's Caroline Paisecka and Harvard's Emma Vaggo. Oksana Samorodov, a Penn State freshman, made her way into the top ten with a sixth place finish. Senior Alyssa Vongries took 15th.
Senior Monica Aksamit had an outstanding day finishing in second place in the women's saber. First place went to Caroline Vloka of Harvard. Princeton's Eliza Stone completed the top three with a third place finish. Penn State's Jessica Russo made her way into the top ten with an eighth place finish while teammates Brigid Frey and Elizabeth Rapp took 27th and 28th, respectively.
The women's foil was owned by the Nittany Lions competition. Alexandra Kiefer of Harvard, Epiphany Georges of Temple and Maddy Ziess, made up the top three, respectively. Penn State's Kane Gladnick was just one spot away, in fourth. Alina Antokhina made the top 20 with a 14th place finish, Olga Ostatnigrosh just missed the mark with a 21st place finish.
The competition will resume tomorrow, Nov. 20, with the men's competition. Action is set to begin at 8 a.m.
Below is a complete list of results from today's competition.