Nov. 7, 2006

University Park, Pa. - By Wojciech Dudek, WSU Sports Information Student Assistant

The Wayne State University women's fencing squad began its 2006-07 season with an impressive performance as three Warrior fencers placed in the top eight at the 35th annual Garret Penn State Collegiate Open on Saturday.

Senior Anna Garina, the 2005 NCAA runner-up in epee, led the Warriors with a first-place performance in that weapon. Garina turned in a memorable performance as she went (12-1) in three rounds of pool competition to enter the single-elimination bracket finals as the third seed. She reached the final eight with thrilling victory, 13-12, against New York University's Lauren Willock. In another drama filled clash, she defeated Penn State's Keri Byerts 15-14, and reached the final by defeating PSU's Anastasia Ferdman 15-12. Garina won the championship bout, 15-13, against Notre Dame's Kelley Hurley.

Garina was supported by junior Justyna Konczalska who finished third. Konczalska went 12-2 in three rounds of pool competition to secure the No. 4 seed, right behind Garina. She cruised to the final eight stage defeating Temple's Brianna Ferrara, 15-2, and Princeton's Erin McGarry 15-10, before losing a semifinal bout to ND's Kelley Hurley 15-8. Konczalska won the bronze medal match, 15-12, against PSU's Anastasia Ferdman.

Senior Alyse Schneider did not advance to second round of pool competition and finished 68th in epee.

Junior Kasia Kuzniak took sixth in the sabre. Kuzniak went 12-2 in pool competition to secure the No. 6 seed. She reached the final eight stage defeating PSU's Jessica-Kim Danh, 15-11, before falling to Harvard's Carolyn Wright in the quarterfinals.

Senior Lindsey Howard finished 35th in foil. Howard went 3-6 in two rounds of pool competition and did not qualify for the third round.

Wayne State's next competition will be Sunday, December 3 when it hosts the Istvan Danosi/Michigan Open at the Matthaei Athletic Complex.