Contact: Jeff Sattora
DETROIT- The Cleveland State Vikings fencing team completed its second competition of the season this past Saturday, competing at the Detroit Duals. The men were able to finish the day 3-2, while the women fell in each of their contests.
The men were led in the epee division, as the two of the top winners on the day, Levi Young andSalih Yasun, were both 13-2 in the epee division.
CSU had five men's fencers in total with double-digit wins on the day. Paul Duchow was joined Young and Yasun as strong in epee at 11-4, while Phelan Spence (foil) went 13-2, and Tom Bienvenu(sabre) went 11-4.
"The men's team performed well overall," said Head Coach Andy Tulleners. "We took an early close loss to Wayne State, but are more than capable of beating them. We will see them one more time in the season and I expect to see us pick up that win."
The Viking men fell to Wayne State (13-14), and Michigan (12-15), but were able to take down Detroit (23-4), Michigan State (15-12), and Oakland (18-9).
For Coach Tulleners, while he had multiple guys pick up wins to help lead those victories, two stood out for him on the day as fencing as strong as they ever have for CSU.
"John Cuturic (foil) fenced the best I have seen him fence while at CSU," Tulleners said. "Paul Lenahan(sabre) also had a good day. He had a rough start but settled in midway through the day and finished the day with some very solid fencing.
Cuturic was able to go 8-7 in Foil, while Lenahan went 7-8 in sabre.
On the women's side, while the team fell in all five match-ups, Coach Tulleners was very happy with what he saw.
"The women's team, despite being short on numbers continues to perform well on the strip," he said. "The ladies consistently post results above my expectations."
All three Viking women that participated were able to pick up at least five wins on the day, led by Sudeshna Chakraborty, who went 7-8 in foil. Maureen Forinash, who finished the day 6-9 overall, joined Chakraborty in the foil division. Amanda Brownalso went 5-4 on the day for CSU in epee.
The Vikings will be back in competition January 26th for the CSU Collegiate Dual at home in the Woodling Gymnasium.
