Quinn, Petrie spur WM boys

It wasn't easy, but the Ward Melville boys fencing team was able to pull out a 14-8 win over Oyster Bay Tuesday night to give the Patriots their fifth straight Long Island championship.

"It's the closest match we've had all year,'' Ward Melville coach Jeff Salmon said. "They're a very strong team. Whenever we took a big lead, they would catch up. But I knew if we stayed focused, we would be successful.''

Jay Petrie, who went 2-0 in foil, and Travis Quinn, who went 3-0 in sabre, led the Patriots. Sophomore foil Devon Reina won the clinching bout, and Ward Melville's foil team did not lose a match.

"It's completely amazing; all our hard work has paid off,'' Petrie said.

Entering the season with four consecutive undefeated seasons and county championships, the Patriots said they were a bit concerned after losing key fencers to graduation.

"Prior to the season, we were scared,'' Quinn said. "We weren't sure how many kids had been working hard in the offseason. But after our first meet, I had no doubt that we could retain our titles.''

Salmon said a long winning streak such as this one does put added pressure on the team.

SEE PHOTOSLong Island team fencing championships

"They definitely feel the pressure, they know they have to fight hard and persevere,'' he said. "It also puts pressure on me, and we have to learn how to be comfortable with it.

"I'm just glad the season's over. The kids performed well, they never let up.''