Feb. 8, 2016
DURHAM, N.C. -- The Nittany Lions had a successful showing at this weekend's Duke Meet with the men's team finishing the competition undefeated and the women dropping only one match. The men's sabre and both epee squads took home individual weapon first place trophies on the day.
The men's team kicked off the competition on Saturday against Notre Dame. After dropping last weekend's duel against Notre Dame, the Nittany Lions were able to find redemption against the Irish, winning 16-11. Penn State fenced a close match versus host Duke, winning 15-12. The men also handily put away Johns Hopkins (25-2), North Carolina (21-6) and Brandeis (23-4) on the day.
While the men's sabre squad took home the individual weapon first place trophy, the team also had many standout performances throughout the competition. Sophomores Andrew Mackiewicz (Westwood, Mass.) and Khalil Thompson (Teaneck, N.J.) went undefeated against three opponents, and seniors Kaito Streets (Redwood City, Calif.) and Adam Lewicki (Oakland, N.J.) went undefeated in two matches each.
Mackiewicz won 3-0 against Notre Dame, Duke and Johns Hopkins. Thompson went 1-0 versus North Carolina, 2-0 against Brandeis and 3-0 versus Duke. Captain Streets picked up two 3-0 bouts against the Irish and the Blue Devils, and Lewicki nabbed two 3-0 performances against the Tar Heels and the Blue Jays.
Freshman Anton Piskovatskov (Houston, Texas) and junior Nicolas Graziano (Brooklyn, N.Y.) were team leaders on epee and foil. Piskovatskov went 3-0 on epee against Notre Dame, North Carolina and Brandeis and Graziano went undefeated on foil against North Carolina, Brandeis and Johns Hopkins.
The women competed Sunday, winning four of five matches. The Nittany Lions took home wins against Brandeis (18-9), Duke (19-8), North Carolina (19-8) and Temple (18-9). Penn State's sole loss was to Notre Dame (11-16).
The women's team also had its share of impressive performances throughout the competition. On epee, captain Jessie Radanovich (Tollhouse, Calif.) went 3-0 against Temple, Duke and North Carolina; freshman Anastasia Kalonji (Rennes, France) ended 2-0 and 3-0 versus Brandeis and Notre Dame, respectively; and junior Sarah Waller (McKinney, Texas) picked up a 1-0 performance against Brandeis.
Junior Desree Ortega-Furgeson (Wyoming, Mich.) led the foil squad with three 3-0 duels against Duke, North Carolina and Temple. Leading on sabre, junior Teodora Kakhiani (Tbilisi, Georgia) and sophomore Kathryn Charpin (Setauket, N.Y.) nabbed two undefeated performances apiece. Kakhiani went 3-0 against both Brandeis and Temple, and Charpin went 1-0 versus Brandeis and 2-0 versus Duke.
The Nittany Lions will use this week to prepare for the Junior Olympics in Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 12 -- 15. Penn State fans are encouraged to follow Penn State fencing via Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/pennstateFEN, on Penn State Fencing's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pennstatefencing and on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/pennstateFEN.