The Blue Devil varsity boys’ fencing team surged this winter, finishing third in the league and conference standings and fifth in the Suffolk championships.
The 20-member strong team was captained by Liam Tucker and James Kretschmer. Huntington compiled a 5-3 league mark and went 9-4 overall.
“We had our best season in years,” head coach Michelle O’Brien said. “It was great to see their hard work paying off. We feel that off-season intramurals was a key to our success this season.”
Matthew Mead and Benjamin Edgar-McNerney finished eighth and ninth, respectively in Suffolk in sabre. Jake Amend was ninth in the county in foil.
Top individual records were compiled by Tucker (32-5 in epee), Luca D’Anna (31-6 in foil) and Kretchmer (23-12 in epee).
“Jamie and Liam co-captained the boys’ team this year and showed the team why they were worthy of the title with their season records and competence,” O’Brien said. “Liam was undefeated for the first three meets. Luca was undefeated for the first four meets. All three served as great role models for the newer fencers.”
Award recipients included:
• Liam Tucker: First team All-League; Second team All-County
• James Kretschmer: Second team All-League; Honorable mention All-County
• Jake Amend: Honorable mention All-League; Honorable mention All-County
• Luca D’Anna: Second team All-League; Second team All-County
• Matthew Mead: Honorable mention All-League
• Benjamin Edgar-McNerney: Honorable mention All-County
• Jeffrey Garcia: Honorable mention All-League
• Abdiel Castillo: Jimmy Nelson Hero/Fourth Man Award
“This team is like a family,” said O’Brien, who was named Suffolk Men’s Coach of the Year. “They worked together so well this season and were very reliable and supportive of each other. Watching them succeed throughout the season was a great experience.”
The Blue Devils are graduating five seniors, including one each in foil and epee and three in sabre. “Ideally, next year’s intended starters will train in the off-season,” O’Brien said. “Two clubs recently opened nearby. Incoming seniors Liam Tucker and Sam James in epee; Peter Gaal and Abdiel Castillo in foil and Timothy Kusterbeck in sabre should be more than able to lead this team successfully.”
O’Brien said the team will be striving to finish in the top three at next year’s Suffolk championships.
