Montclair’s boys fencing team run this season was very impressive. They were close to bringing home the program’s first state title.
The Mounties boys fencing team fell to Ridge (15-12) in the state team semifinals on February 27. That ended their dream for a state championship.
But the state team tournament was just one element of the equation this season for Montclair.
The Mounties boys team shook the loss off and did very well in the state individual finals tournament on March 2 at Hunterdon Central. The Montclair girls also brought home some medals at the state individual finals on the same day.
Senior co-captain Mitchell O’Keefe said it was just an accomplishment to make the state team semifinals.
“We were proud of making it to the (team) semifinals. It was a terrific way to wrap up the team season,” said O’Keefe who added about the state individual tournament. “Only a few team members qualify for the state individual tournament. It’s a different vibe as we all compete against each other as individuals instead of as teammates.”
The Mounties’ powerful pair of senior co-captains, O’Keefe and Lucas Gilson came in second and third respectively in the state individual saber competition. Only Montclair Kimberley’s Caspar Turck was ahead of both O’Keefe and Gilson. In the boys epee competition, senior Jett Higgins came in 16th in the state individuals. Diego Aguire was able to gut out a 37th finish in the state despite competing with an injury.
While the Montclair boys fencing team had plenty to cheer about, there was also enough success to go around in girls fencing. Both sophomore Mya Spears and junior Nile Brunson came in second place in the saber and the epee events respectively. In the foil state individual Constance Brody finished 15th among the top in the state in that event. Sophomore Coco Brody came in 15th in the state foil event.
“All of our state individual fencers did well. But it was amazing to have four of us finish on the podium,” said O’Keefe about himself, Gilson, Spears and Brunson. “New Jersey is one of, if not the most, competitive fencing states in the nation. You’re fencing against some of the top talent in the country.”
For their play this season, both O’Keefe and Gilson turned it into All New Jersey first team honors in saber. O’Keefe had the most wins in the saber event in New Jersey with 34. Gilson had 31 victories in the event, third in the state.
On the girls side Spears grabbed an All New Jersey first team in the saber event. Brunson picked up an all-state first team nod in epee.
While the girls had a good season with a 6-3 team mark, the Mounties boys ended with a 10-5 record.