The Big One, 2012

As usual, it was really early when we departed UConn for Smith College in Northampton.

Three of UConn’s 11 fencers, many of whom were fencing in their first competition, finished in the top half of Saturday’s tournament at Smith College in Northampton, Mass.

A total of 493 competitors packed into the college’s indoor track facility, representing about 20 different schools for the aptly named “Big One.” (Full results here)

Rachel Beckett, a freshman foilist, was the highest finisher from the club, ending in 27th place out of 80 in her event. Seeded 31st after finishing third in her pool with a 4-2 record, she went on defeat Molly Bearman of Mount Holyoke College 15-7 in her first elimination bout. She then lost 15-3 to Caroline Mattos of Brandeis University. Mattos went on to win the event, defeating Jayme Smith of Sacred Heart University 15-4.

Christine Beede, a senior and club president, finished 31st out of 84 competitors in the women’s sabre event. She was seeded 34th after going 3-3 in pools, and, after a bye, defeated Kristen Mann of UMass 15-6 before losing 15-4 to Jessi Milestone of Bennington College. Milestone eventually finished third, losing 15-9 to Christine Whalen of Brown, who won the event.

Ben Wilbanks finished 35th of 79 in the men’s foil event, exactly where he was seeded after finishing 3-2 in pools. He lost his first elimination bout 15-10 to Ralph Conserva of Boston University. Stuart Holmes of Sacred Heart won the event, defeating teammate Jonathan Jacovino 15-13.

Amanda Simon, a freshman foilist, finished 41st in her event, after going 3-3 in pools and losing 15-8 to Sylvia Hickman of Amherst College. The two remaining foilists, Christian Moy and Scott Walker finished 54th and 56th, respectively, in the men’s event. Both went 2-4 in their pools and lost their first elimination bouts 15-2. Moy was defeated by Scott Robinson of MIT, and Walker lost to Victor Nieto from Sacred Heart.

Joel Rosiene, standing, resets after an action during The Big One.

Valentin de Wissocq was the club’s highest finisher in the men’s epee event, ending in 52nd place after going 3-3 in pools and then losing his first elimination bout 15-1 to Cordell Zebrose of Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Chris Marino finished 74th and Joel Rosiene finished tied for 79th out of 89 total competitors. Both went 1-5 in pools and did not make the cut for the elimination round. Joey Rafidi of MIT won the event, defeating teammate Jackson Crane 15-14 in the final.

The lone men’s sabre fencer, Alex Cuadrado, finished tied for 56th out of 84 fencers in his event. Cuadrado went 2-4 in his pool and lost 15-3 to Mark Borreliz of Brandeis. Nick Deak of Brown University won the event, defeating Adam Mandel of Brandeis 15-9 in the final.

Celia Sweet Guillard, the only women’s epee fencer, finished 65th out of 77 total fencers, after going 1-5 in pools and missing the cut for the elimination round. Cory Abbe of Brown won the event, beating Mounica Paturu of MIT 15-13.