Newsday's All-Long Island boys fencing team 2024
Newsday's All-Long Island boys fencing team 2024. Top row, from left:: Jeffrey Longstreet of Commack and Luke Kugler of Oyster Bay. Bottom row: Jun Ahn of Great Neck South, Justin Lau of Herricks and coach Josh Baravarian of Great Neck South. Credit: Dawn McCormick
Newsday Boys Fencer of the Year: Jun Ahn, Great Neck South, Foil, Sr.
In his return to Great Neck South after sitting out in 2022-23, Ahn captures his second Newsday Fencer of the Year honor after helping Great Neck South regain its Long Island crown. Ahn went 27-0 and won gold at both the Nassau boys foil individuals and the Brentwood Holiday Tournament.
He also touts impressive leadership, always giving his tips during bouts to Great Neck South’s boys and girls foil fencers. Ahn finished fifth at the Junior Olympics among men’s foilists in February.
“Jun is the definition of a great athlete,” coach Josh Baravarian said. “When he steps on the strip he everyone else gets better.”
Luke Kugler, Oyster Bay, Epee, Fr.
Kugler went 4-1 in pool play before winning three consecutive direct elimination bouts to claim gold in epee at the Nassau Individual championships, winning seven of his eight bouts. He concluded his freshman season with a 21-1 record.
Justin Lau, Herricks, Sabre, Sr.
Lau capped off his stellar high school-fencing career with impressive wins at the Nassau sabre individual championships, ultimately capturing gold. He had a 28-2 record this winter.
Marc Lindemann, Newfield, Foil, So.
Lindemann defended his foil title with another gold this winter, going undefeated across 15 bouts at the Suffolk individual championships. His 36-1 record helped Newfield claim the Suffolk team fencing title for the fourth consecutive season.
Jeffrey Longstreet, Commack, Epee, Sr.
Longstreet boasted a 31-2 record this season and captured gold at the highly-contested Suffolk epee individual championships. He went 15-1 at the competition, including a thrilling 5-3 fence-off win against Centereach’s David Bailey (38-1).
Mattias Weber, Whitman, Sabre, Sr.
Weber went undefeated at the Suffolk sabre individual championships to win gold. He also helped Whitman’s sabre team place first at the Alan Kuver Memorial Relay. The senior went 32-1 overall and 20-1 in league matches this season.
Coach of the Year: Josh Baravarian, Great Neck South
Baravarian’s Rebels captured a Nassau crown in thrilling fashion with a 14-13 triumph over rival Syosset before defeating Newfield in the Long Island championship. It was a historic year for the school as both the boys and girls fencing teams won Long Island titles in the same season for the first time.
