The Wayne State University men’s fencing team concluded the first day of the Central Collegiate Fencing Conference (CCFC) Championships in Detroit, hosted at the Matthaei Center. The Warriors competed in four bouts, securing victories against the University of Detroit Mercy (23-4), Lawrence University (14-13), and Cleveland State University (17-10). However, they were defeated by The Ohio State University with a score of 23-4.
Overall, WSU finished second in the team competition. Their epee team secured second place, while both the foil and sabre teams earned third-place trophies.
In the sabre category, five athletes represented Wayne State: Zeyad Nofal from Cairo, Egypt; Ethan Leung from Hong Kong; Brendan Goeddeke from Sterling Heights, Michigan; Sam Gneuhs from Mason, Ohio; and Bobbie Hirsch from Huntington Woods, Michigan. Nofal achieved an 8-2 bout record and made significant contributions against Lawrence and Cleveland State. Leung ended with a 1-1 record against Detroit Mercy. Goeddeke’s performance resulted in a 2-8 record with wins over UDM and Lawrence. Gneuhs and Hirsch did not secure any victories in their sabre bouts.
For the foil weapon, Gneuhs, Hirsch, and Leung were joined by Carlos Santos from Grand Rapids, Michigan; Mitchell Gatrell from Livonia, Michigan; and Jakub Oronowicz from Clarkston, Michigan. In this category, Gatrell compiled a 4-5 record with notable wins over Lawrence University and others. Santos achieved a win against Cleveland State for a 1-1 bout record. Oronowicz managed one victory over Lawrence.
The epee competition saw participation from Mahmoud Elsayed of Tanta, Egypt; Shuayb Dinkins of Kissimmee, Florida; Sam Garrett; Lance Miller of Freeport, Michigan; and Bryce Heim of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Elsayed recorded an impressive 8-2 result overall. Garrett had success against multiple opponents leading to a 7-4 bout finish.
The Warriors are set to continue their efforts on Sunday for the second day of competition at the Matthaei Center.
