The Huntington girls’ fencing team made progress this winter. While the squad didn’t reach all of its 2017-18 goals, it did keep at least one eye on the future when the Blue Devils believe they will be well-positioned for success.
Captained by seniors Adina Kirkland and Lianna DeChiaro and coached by Michelle O’Brien, the 14 athlete strong roster included 11 underclassmen.
“This was a hardworking squad that respected and supported each other,” O’Brien said. “If anyone saw a teammate feeling low, they would take it upon themselves to support and tray to make that person feel better.”
The Huntington High School girls' fencing team.
The Blue Devils compiled a 3-5 mark in league action and went 4-10 overall. Huntington finished tied for third in the league standings and eighth in the county championships.
Seniors Adina Kirkland and Lianna DeChiaro, juniors Francesca Greco and Meagan Malone and sophomore Josie Fasolino led the Blue Devils.
“Adina is a leader all the way,” said O’Brien about the teenager who went 26-13 in sabre, earning second team All-League honors along with honorable mention All-County recognition. Kirkland was an alternate on the Suffolk senior sabre team.
DeChiaro compiled a mark of 27-12 in epee, grabbing first team All-League and All-County honors. She earned a spot on the Suffolk senior epee team. “Lianna was willing to fence foil when we didn’t have enough athletes and she was undefeated,” O’Brien said. “He epee bladework transferred beautifully.”
Malone also turned in a strong epee season, capturing second team All-League recognition and being named honorable mention All-County. “Meagan is quiet, but intensely focused on the strip,” O’Brien said. “Next year, she will easily assume the leadership role in this weapon,” O’Brien said.
Greco was solid in sabre, finishing the season with a 12-11 record. She won honorable mention All-County recognition.
Fasolino shined in foil with a 21-18 record. She was named second team All-League and honorable mention All-County. “Josie is a lion,” O’Brien said. “She wants to win and if she doesn’t, she comes off the strip knowing what she wants to work on next. She has come very far in only two years. I see great things in her future.”
The Blue Devils lost some close matches, including 14-13 to Sayville and 15-12 to Walt Whitman. With so many young fencers on the squad, Huntington hopes to turn the corner next winter. “Their confidence is developing,” O’Brien said.
Seventh graders Fiona Brosnan and Emma Waters; freshman Sasha Koulakova; sophomores Josie Fasolino and Akira Selleri and juniors Shannon Anderson, Katherine Burton, Francesca Greco, Meagan-Elise Malone, Annabella Matheus and Katherine Stock are all due back next year.
“Most of the team will return and if they fence outside of the season, as we have discussed, I would expect them to be in the top three in the league and top five in the county next year,” O’Brien said.