LI scholastic and open fencing teams win gold medals

BUFFALO - A four-event sweep of gold medals for one region doesn't happen often at the Empire State Games.

The Long Island fencing contingent can consider itself in rarefied air as the scholastic and open men's and women's teams took home gold medals on Friday.

Long Island coach Dennis Kolakowski was thrilled with the accomplishment. "It's the first time in the history of fencing at the Games that one region won all the gold medals," the former Cold Spring Harbor fencing coach said.

Ward Melville's Travis Quinn, who won in sabre and helped the scholastic men to a 15-8 win over Adirondack in the medal round, was overwhelmed by everything.

"It's pretty exhilarating," Quinn said. "Getting to stand on the podium to accept the gold medal was a great feeling."

His counterpart on the scholastic women's team, Alexa Antipas, who helped her team to a 15-1 win over Adirondack, was equally as excited. "This is really a big deal, because we are competing against the entire state," said Antipas, who also goes to Ward Melville.

Kolakowski emphasized the impact the Empire State Games has on fencing.

"This is the only statewide tournament in New York," he said. "There is no high school state championship. All we have is a Long Island championship, so this is a big accomplishment."

Other standouts for the Long Island scholastic men's team include, Matt Ross (Half Hollow Hills), who won in epee and Ryan Murphy (Commack) in foil. The tactical alternate was Devon Reina (Stony Brook).

For the scholastic women, Olivia Weller (Huntington) won in epee and Niki McKee (Valley Stream) was victorious in foil. Alexa Rohan (Stony Brook) was the tactical alternate for the women.

Capturing the gold was a long and arduous process, according to Quinn.

"The game plan was different, because some of these fencers we've never seen," he said. "At first you see what they do, if that doesn't work than you go back to what you are comfortable with. After that, you just have to adjust on the fly."

The open men's and women's teams followed suit.

Peter Freiss (sabre), Kwabena Amanquah (epee), Robert Piraino (foil) led the men to a 15-13 win over New York City in the medal match.

Leading the women to a 15-12 victory over Adirondack was Kristi Conway in sabre, Brianne Musslewhite in epee and Erica McKee in foil. Emily Brandsdorfer was the tactical alternate.