By Jack Schwada
After five consecutive championships and a successful tournament at Brentwood School, fencing coach Ted Katzoff is still reluctant to predict a championship win this season.
At Brentwood, Michael Raynis â10 took second place in menâs epee, Chris Evren â08 took second place in menâs saber, and Jacob Levy â08 took third place in menâs sabre.
The girlsâ sabre team, which Katzoff called a âwonderful group,â stood out as a whole at the tournament.
Caroline Groth â10 took first place, Gabby Groth â09 took second place and Carleigh Coyne â10 and Lauren Seo â10 tied for third place.
The team has several younger, less experienced members and the squad has been focusing on basic foot and blade-work techniques.
âThe team is in general maturing by virtue of practice and competition,â Katzoff said.
Raynis and Eric Arzoian â09 competed in the Junior Fencing Olympics in Germany.
Raynis, ranked number two in his division in the country, also qualified for the U.S. national team this year.
Despite the recent successes, Katzoff recognizes that his fencers will always be honing their skills.
âFencing is a continued development in basic skills and tactics,â Katzoff said.