FLEDGLING SAYVILLE-CONNETQUOT-BAYPORT FENCING TEAMS QUALIFIED TO COMPETE IN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Six years ago, Sayville-Connetquot-Bayport fencing was a fledgling program.  Compared to the long-history of other fencing programs, they are still “fledglings,” but the Boys and Girls teams have demonstrated immense growth in such a short time, and the players and coaches deserve to be recognized for their achievements.

This season, the Boys Fencing team was the number one seed and remained undefeated with an 9-0 record going into the Suffolk County Boys Fencing Championships. During the first round of the Championships, hosted by Sayville on Tuesday, February 23 (live-streamed via YouTube), they emerged undefeated 10-0, for which they were named Section XI League Champs.

However, during the second round of the Suffolk County Boys Fencing Championships a day later, they lost the County title match to teams from Newfield and Miller Place, placing second overall.

The Sayville Girls Fencing team was also in the playoffs for an away competition at Half Hollow Hills on February 23.  They were the number four seed with a record of 6-2, but defeated in the first round.

The coaches consider these accomplishments “a huge triumph” for the young teams and attribute the success to the dedication and commitment of their players. Coach Jill Brown made a special mention about Matt Zender, who had been diagnosed with bone cancer in July 2019 and missed his junior year fencing. “He is now in remission,” Coach Brown said, “and fenced this year for the first time since defeating cancer. And, he won more than half his bouts!”

Such skill and devotion by so many players have made the coaches of both teams very proud of the program’s progress, and they have every confidence the players will continue to be formidable contenders in upcoming seasons.

Six years ago, Sayville-Connetquot-Bayport fencing was a fledgling program.  Compared to the long-history of other fencing programs, they are still “fledglings,” but the Boys and Girls teams have demonstrated immense growth in such a short time, and the players and coaches deserve to be recognized for their achievements.

This season, the Boys Fencing team was the number one seed and remained undefeated with an 9-0 record going into the Suffolk County Boys Fencing Championships. During the first round of the Championships, hosted by Sayville on Tuesday, February 23 (live-streamed via YouTube), they emerged undefeated 10-0, for which they were named Section XI League Champs.

However, during the second round of the Suffolk County Boys Fencing Championships a day later, they lost the County title match to teams from Newfield and Miller Place, placing second overall.

The Sayville Girls Fencing team was also in the playoffs for an away competition at Half Hollow Hills on February 23.  They were the number four seed with a record of 6-2, but defeated in the first round.

The coaches consider these accomplishments “a huge triumph” for the young teams and attribute the success to the dedication and commitment of their players. Coach Jill Brown made a special mention about Matt Zender, who had been diagnosed with bone cancer in July 2019 and missed his junior year fencing. “He is now in remission,” Coach Brown said, “and fenced this year for the first time since defeating cancer. And, he won more than half his bouts!”

Such skill and devotion by so many players have made the coaches of both teams very proud of the program’s progress, and they have every confidence the players will continue to be formidable contenders in upcoming seasons.