The Basics
• Scores:
#6 Duke-22, Johns Hopkins-5
Boston College-14, Johns Hopkins-13
#9 North Carolina-18, Johns Hopkins-9
#3 Penn State-18, Johns Hopkins-9
Brandeis-14, Johns Hopkins-13
• Location: Durham, NC • Card Gym
• The Short Story: The Johns Hopkins men's fencing team faced a tough field at the Duke Invitational Saturday, taking on three top-10 teams.
 
How it Happened
Hopkins opened the day against sixth-ranked and host Duke and lost 22-5, with the Blue Devils sweeping all three weapons. Junior Sachin Mehta led the Blue Jays with two wins in the Sabre.

Hopkins then lost a close contest to Boston College, which is receiving votes in the most recent coaches poll. The Epee and Sabre squads each earned 5-4 wins in a tough 14-13 loss. Freshman Ethan Kim and sophomore Gabe Insler each won twice, with Insler clinching the Epee squad's win. IN the Sabre, it was Mehta and sophomore William Hu earning two wins apiece. Senior Eryk Kokosinski secured the Blue Jays' win in the Sabre.

The Blue Jays then lost 19-8 to ninth-ranked North Carolina as the Tar Heels won all three weapons. Hopkins then fell to third-ranked Penn State, 18-9. The Blue Jay Sabre squad grabbed a 5-4 win, led by junior David DeScherer's two wins while Hu clinched the win.

Hopkins wrapped up the day with another close lose, falling 14-13 to Brandeis. The Blue Jays won the Epee, 5-4, over the Judges, who are ranked fifth in Division III. Insler won all three of his bouts, including the clinching one, in the Epee.
 
What it Means
• Kokosinski moved into a tie for 20^th in school history with 161 career Sabre wins.
 
The Records • Epee (15-30)
• Danny Comer • 2-4
• Julius Dunn • 0-9
• Gabe Insler • 8-7
• Kyle Kennedy • 0-2
• Ethan Kim • 5-8
 
The Records • Foil (15-30)
• Anthony Bae • 0-4
• Matthew Jacobs • 0-4
• Evan Lau • 2-5
• Alex Paek • 6-9
• Alan Zheng • 7-8
 
The Records • Sabre (19-26)
• David DeScherer • 3-5
• William Hu • 5-5
• Eryk Kokosinski • 2-4
• Sachin Mehta • 7-6
• Qilin Tong • 2-6
 
Up Next
• Hopkins is back in action on Sunday, February 13 with MACFA Round Robin action at Stevens.