M. Fencing looks to stay hot

Penn sophomore foilists Jeff Breen and Andy Radu have nothing to prove to their opponents -- they're 25-1 and 24-2, respectively, this season.

This weekend, they put their imposing records on the line against Harvard and Rutgers at Weightman Gym.

"I'm delighted with the balance we have [on the foil team]," Penn coach Dave Micahnik said. "It's ironic that the highest ranked national fencer [junior Yale Cohen] is actually No. 3 on the squad.

"There's no weak fencer there. No matter who's out there, the other team's got a problem."

The foilists, however, won't be able to beat the Crimson and the Scarlet Knights on their own. They'll need help from the sabre and epee squads, both of which have been somewhat inconsistent so far this season.

"Everyone's going to have to contribute this week," Micahnik said. "Both of these opponents have distributed strength, so if we don't have good performance in any of the weapons, it could cost us the meet."

Harvard should prove a tough test for the Quakers. Earlier in the season, both teams battled North Carolina to 14-13 victories.

Meanwhile, Rutgers' fencing program has, "the cream of New Jersey," according to Micahnik.

Still, all three of the fencing squads are confident.

"If we fence like we should, we should go 9-0," Breen said on behalf of the foilists.

Rutgers and Harvard "aren't the same level as Yale, but as far as [the difficulty of Penn's previous opponents], they're about the same."

There won't be any backing down by the sabres or epees, either. Senior sabre Daniel Vincent believes that his squad is the key to the Quakers' victory.

"Against Harvard, I expect that all the sabres will do well," Vincent said. "Rutgers has a stronger sabre team, so they should be more of a challenge.

"They're one of the best. Those New Jersey schools are pretty good."

Defeating the Crimson, however, is the main focus, as a victory would boost Penn's Ivy League record to 1-1.

"A win against Harvard won't make up for the loss to Yale," Vincent added. "But it will kind of get us back even in the Ivy League standings."

The Quakers will need to gain momentum by beating Harvard this weekend since they're heading to Princeton next week to face off against a dangerous Tigers squad.

Last season's Ancient Eight champions, Princeton (3-2), once again possesses a talented roster that is poised to challenge for the league crown.

This weekend, Penn hopes to prove that it is ready to do the same.

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