Askerberg Leads Huntington
Girls' Fencing
The Huntington High School girls' fencing team wasn't prone to backing down against any opponent. The Blue Devils held their own against stiff competition, compiling an overall mark of 9-6.
The 32 member squad was captained by seniors Alexandra Martinolich and Marie Clifford and coached by the trio of Alan Kuver, Michael Fabio and Valinda O'Garra .
"This was a strong group from top to bottom" Kuver said about the team. "We made a lot of progress with our varsity athletes and set the foundation for the future."
The Blue Devils finished fourth in the league standings and their women's foil squad was runner-up in the Huntington Relay, a competition that drew schools from around the metropolitan area and from as far away as New England.
Maggie Askerberg led the Blue Devils, winning first team All-County foil honors. She reached the Suffolk finals, placing fourth and earning honorable mention All-League recognition.
Huntington received strong efforts from Katia DeSimone (second team All-County saber), Carly Glowacky (honorable mention All-County epee), Irina DeSimone (honorable mention All-County saber) and honorable mention All-County foil stars Alexandra Martinolich and Sibilla Maiarelli.
Kuver called Askerberg a "great competitor [who] never gives an inch during a bout." She closed out the season with a 22-11 mark in foil. The coach credited Martinolich (19-13 in foil) with providing leadership that was the "rock around which the others followed."
Maiarelli picked up momentum as the season moved along. The sophomore notched a 20-10 mark in foil. She "started slow, but came on strong in the second half," Kuver said.
The highlight of the winter came in the foil squad's second place finish in the always competitive Huntington Relay. The Blue Devils moved past two top foil squads to advance to the finals and then pushed perennially tough Ward Melville before falling.
Kuver said that with the loss of only two seniors and with 30 fencers eligible to return, he is looking forward to a "strong year" next season.
Fencing Points: Fabio was named the Long Island division United States Fencing Assn. Jeff Wolfe Coach of the Year . . . Martinolich and Clifford were the only seniors on the roster . . . Glowacky went 16-8 in epee . . . Irina DeSimone turned in a very fine season, compiling a 14-12 record in saber competition.