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 Anna Garina has two national titles and a runner-up finish in three seasons. |
Oct. 25, 2006
The momentum remains strong within the Wayne State University fencing squad led by head coach Jerzy Radz and assistant coach Wojciech Dudek. New faces, including international talent Viatcheslav Zingerman, appear on the 2006-2007 roster to enforce the team.
Wayne State senior All-Americans Marek Petraszek and Anna Garina as well as juniors Justyna Konczalska and Kasia Kuzniak are the leading Warriors.
Coach Radz added some unproven fencers for the depth to the squad. With his knowledge and the help of assistant coach Wojciech Dudek, they soon will be ready to compete at a national level.
The Wayne State fencing team is motivated to improve upon its 10th-place finish at last seasons NCAA Championship where the Warriors finished ahead of such schools as Duke University, Yale, Northwestern, and the U.S. Air Force Academy just to name a few.
Two-time NCAA champion Anna Garina and Justyna Konczalska were both first-team All-Americans finishing second and fourth, respectively in the epée competition. In sabre, Kasia Kuzniak finished 12th, Lindsey Howard placed 19th in foil and Marek Petraszek ended 13th in men's epée.
Not only different derivation but also the characters of this year fencers are eclectic and make the team strong and unique. Head coach Radz is confident and hopes to take at least six athletes to this years NCAA Championship in Madison, N.J.
A LOOK AT EPÉE
Senior Marek Petraszek gets reinforcement from Israel. The new epée tandem should be the strongest duo in the nation upcoming season. Freshman Viatcheslav Zingerman placed second at the Junior World Cup in Burgos (Spain) in 2003 and won the Senior National Championship in Israel last year. Senior Steve Znoy adds depth in the weapon.
The women's epée team remains strong with leaders Anna Garina and Justyna Konczalska. Garina did not defend her national title last season, losing by one touch to Penn State's Katarzyna Trzopek in the championship bout, to finish second. Konczalska finished fourth at 2006 NCAAs after losing in the semifinals to PSU's Trzopek, 15-14, and in the bronze medal bout to OSU's Kaela Brandler. Alyse Schneider showed great improvement and placed fourth at Michigan Open 2005 and has the third spot on the women's epée team.
The epée team is very strong this year and the expectations are extremely high.
A LOOK AT FOIL
After departure of the last year men's team captain Joe Langdorf and Anthony Tejada, the foil team will be led by redshirt freshman Michal Brichacek. New faces on the roster will have to fill the void left by Langdorf and Tejada.
Women's team captain and senior Lindsey Howard, who finished 19th at last seasons NCAAs will lead the women's foil team. Erin Stranyak and newcomer Melanie Kwiatkowski round out the women's foil squad.
A LOOK AT SABRE
Men's team captain and senior Bobby Smith's will led the sabre squad. Two newcomers will have a chance to compete in this weapon.
Junior Kasia Kuzniak returns for the women's sabre team. Even with an injury last year, she finished 12th at the NCAA Championship and is now looking forward to a more successful season. Senior Alicia Chmielewski returns to compete in sabre. New fencers, recruited during the season break, complete the team.
Wayne State fencers begin competition on November 4-5 at the Penn State Open.
