The North Carolina fencing team opened its season with a strong showing at the 37th annual Temple Open this weekend. The team was led by junior Meredith Bozentka, who won gold in women’s saber, and bronze finishes in women’s foil and men’s epee.
What happened?
The women began competition on Saturday. Junior Diana Philpot entered the women’s saber tournament as the top seed and advanced to the round of 16. Senior Sarah Hanvy also made her way to the round of 16, where she lost to Bozentka 15-6. Bozentka defeated Temple's Blessing Olaode in the championship bout 15-13 to secure the fencing team’s only gold medal of the competition.
The women’s team also found success in the foil competition, where three Tar Heels advanced to the round of eight. First-year Carlexa Fevry eliminated her teammate, senior Gabrielle D’Astoli, before falling to Temple's Kennedy Lovelace in the semifinals.
Four out of five women’s fencers qualified for the epee tournament, and junior Sara Moreno finished 7th.
The men’s team competed Sunday and shined in the epee tournament — where senior Michael Gopman Slonim earned bronze and first-year Jacob Henkels advanced far into the bracket. The two met in the round of eight, where the Gopman Slonim defeated his teammate in a tight 15-13 victory. Gopman Slonim fell 15-6 in the semifinals to the eventual champion, Penn State's Anton Piskovatskov.
The men struggled in the foil tournament, with no Tar Heel advancing past the round of 32. Sophomore Connor Ritchey entered the saber tournament as the top seed and fought his way to the round of 16 before losing to Penn State’s Matthew Lewicki 15-7.
Who stood out?
Meredith Bozentka was the team’s top performer, with her gold medal finish. She entered the tournament tied for the sixth seed and fought through her share of tough opponents, winning two bouts by a single point.
