The Red fencing team will be put to the test this weekend when it competes in the Brandeis Multi Meet in Waltham, Mass. The team is coming off of two one-sided victories against Yeshiva University and Vassar University last weekend. However, the Brandeis meet will be a huge step up in the level of competition.
“There is no weak opponent at this meet,” said head coach Al Peters.
Brown, Boston College, MIT, and Brandeis will all field strong teams this weekend.
“Last year we had a rough time of it,” Peters recalled. “[But] I’m more focused on the present than the past.”
Sophomore Meghan Phair had the most success at last year’s meet, going 11-1 and leading the epee squad to a 2-2 finish.
The foil squad won only one match and Cornell was completely shut out in the saber category.
Peters and the Red hope to see a different result this year. Peters observed that MIT is a formidable foe, but the strength and depth of each team changes from year to year.
Cornell is at full strength and the team is ready to compete at a higher level. Senior Erica Wilhelm, captain of the epee squad, has returned to Ithaca and will be competing this weekend.
The Red will also look to the foil squad to build on its powerful performance from last weekend.
“[The team has] worked hard,” Peters said. “They have both mental and physical preparation.”
The Red will match up against each team at the meet. Peters noted that Cornell has never swept the competition, but he expects a strong showing from his athletes this weekend.
“We’re very excited,” Peters said of the stiff competition. “It’s what we came for.”
Archived article by Olivia Dwyer