Vomero looks to get his status back

Argentina, Switzerland and Sweden are just a few of the many stops Nicholas Vomero has made during his fencing career.

Sunday represents the start of a new challenge for the Centerport resident, who will be competing in the World University Games in Shenzhen, China.

For Vomero, an incoming senior at St. John's, the tournament isn't just about emerging victorious as an individual or a team. He's hoping for a little redemption.

Ranked No. 1 in epee in the country during his junior year at St. John's, Vomero finished a disappointing 12th at the NCAA championships. He viewed it as a step back after finishing 14th as a freshman and fifth his sophomore season. "I didn't have a great tournament," said the Harborfields High School graduate. "This is a chance for me to redeem myself."

Vomero, one of only four epee fencers selected to the team, won't be alone at the tournament that runs through Aug. 18. Red Storm teammate Adam Watson also qualified in epee. Vomero will also be joined on the epee team by Great Neck South graduate Cliff Fisher, who finished 20th at the NCAA championships for Pennsylvania.

The USA men's fencing team is composed of 12 fencers competing in three weapons: four in epee, four in sabre and four in foil.

"I've known Adam for a long time," Vomero said. "Having guys on the team that you know in a tournament like this gives you a reassuring feeling."

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Watson and Fisher won't be the only support Vomero receives. His parents made the trip to China, too. "Having someone you know in the audience will definitely help," said Vomero, whose parents don't travel with him to the international tournaments. "My dad really gets into it."

Vomero is hopeful that the World University Games won't be the final stop on his long, winding career. The Olympic Games are his ultimate goal.

"These games won't help me very much," said Vomero, who explained that the World University Games do not serve as an Olympic qualifier. "But these are like a mini-Olympics to us and it's the type of competition you need to improve."

Fencing wasn't Vomero's first choice. He tried his hand at several sports, including hockey, lacrosse and baseball. By the time he entered the eighth grade, Vomero settled on fencing.

"I was asked about it by a coach during a block party," said Vomero, who was 10 years old at the time with no exposure to the sport. "Later it was my only sport."

The road to becoming a championship fencer was challenging at times for Vomero, who participated in tournaments as an independent since Harborfields didn't have a team. It soon became routine for Vomero, who trained with former Romanian Olympic fencer Sorin Saitoc while in high school.

Said Vomero: "It was something new that just grew on me."