Feb. 16, 2011

DURHAM, NC - The Johns Hopkins men's fencing team faced some tough competition at the Duke Invitational on Sunday as the Blue Jays squared off against top-ranked Notre Dame, ninth-ranked Duke and North Carolina. The event wrapped up the dual meet portion of the Blue Jays 2010-11 schedule.

Hopkins opened the day against host Duke, dropping a 21-6 decision. The Blue Devils edged out the Blue Jays, 5-4, in the Sabre as Hopkins got a pair of wins each from seniors Max Wieder and Mike Fellows. In the Epee, senior Nick Krywopusk picked up the lone win for the Blue Jays in an 8-1 loss. While in the Foil, freshman Evan Stafford earned the Blue Jays only win in the 8-1 loss.

Against Notre Dame, the Irish swept all three weapons to take the overall win. In the Sabre, Wieder and sophomore Sid Menon each won a bout in the 7-2 loss. While in the Epee, freshman Jay DeYoung was the lone winner for Hopkins as Notre Dame took the weapon by an 8-1 score. Stafford won one out of three bouts as Hopkins lost the Foil by an 8-1 score as well.

Hopkins then faced North Carolina, which is receiving votes in the latest USFCA Coaches Poll. Menon and sophomore Nicolas Barbera each picked up a win but the Tar Heels won the Sabre 7-2. Hopkins then won the Epee behind two-win performances by freshman Richard Bram and DeYoung, with Bram clinching the win in the eighth bout. Carolina won the Foil, 6-3, to win the overall team win. Stafford paced the Blue Jays with a pair of wins, while sophomore Ben Wasser went 1-2.

Hopkins will compete at the US Squad Weapon Championship on February 27.