Nov. 20, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State Garret Open came to a close today with the men's competition. The Nittany Lions came out in full force turning out strong performances in all three weapons.
In the men's saber senior Alek Ochocki earned the Nittany Lions their second first place finish of the weekend. In the first day of competition, Nov. 19, Margherita Guzzi-Vincenti took first in the women's epee. The top three was completed by University of Pennsylvania's Evan Prochniak and Princeton's Philip Derschwitz. Penn State sophomore Adrian Bak fell right outside of a top ten finish, taking eleventh place. Freshman Alex Schneller and sophomore Pawel Puchalski took 14th and 15th, respectively.
Junior Vernon O'Garra of Penn State had an outstanding day taking second in the men's epee. O'Garra was one of two Nittany Lions with a top three finish for the day. He fell to Edward Kelley of Princeton who took top honors. Peregrine Badger of Harvard rounded out the top three. Penn State's Oliver Valdes fenced his way to a sixth place finish. Benjamin Freiman and Mitchell Culler found themselves in the top 20 with 17th and 20th place finishes.
The Gomez-Tanamachi brothers both found success in the men's foil. Freshman Daniel finished in sixth and older brother David finished in 17th. Senior Michael El-Saleh and sophomore Gianni Di Cicoccio took 15th and 16th, respectively.
After a week off the Nittany Lions will return to action on Dec. 3. They will host Princeton, NYU, Harvard, UNC, Vassar and Sacred Heart. Action will begin at 8 a.m. in the White Building.