Update February 24: The CHS Girls Fencing team won silver in the NJSIAA State Championships, losing the championship meet to gold-medal winner Montgomery. The final score was 8-19, with Montgomery clinching at 6-14. “The girls had a hard fought evening at the state championship and we could not be prouder that they brought home silver medals,” reports CHS Fencing Parents Co-Presidents Abby Katoni and Deirdre Guice Minor. “They are the #2 team in the state and there are 72 teams across New Jersey. Pretty impressive stuff!!!! … The ladies were cheered on by an amazingly large group of parents, guardians, students, and fans of the team.”
The Columbia High Girls Fencing team defeated McNair 15-12 on Feb. 21 in the Final Four of the NJSIAA fencing championships and will face Montgomery in the New Jersey State Championship meet on Feb. 23 at Morris Hills High School in Rockaway.
Phoebe Hill (epee captain) clinched the semifinal match for CHS at 14-12. Hill went 3-0 as an individual. Other standout CHS fencers at the Final Four meet included: Lindsey Minor, epee, 3-0; Evalyn Rhody, epee, 1-0; Susanna Mann, foil (captain), 2-1; and Harumi Garrison, sabre, 2-1.
But it took the full team to achieve the win.
As Asst. Coach Frank Mustilli stated on Facebook: “I am so proud of these young ladies. At the onset of the season, they exhibited raw talent but certainly not the honed skills required to receive the coveted State Championship Title. This team has risen to the heights of its previous classmates. As the season progressed, I saw a transformation of each from individual athletes to a full-spirited cohesive team, with each developing their individual skills as well as their teammates’. This CHS team has demonstrated a focus that only champions attain. This was achieved from daily hard work, dedication and love for each other. As the CHS coach for 32 years, I want to welcome them to the CHS Women’s Fencing Dynasty.”
CHS Girls Fencing win NJSIAA Silver at State Championships, Feb. 23, 2022. Photo by Deirdre Guice Minor.
CHS Girls Fencing win NJSIAA Silver at State Championships, Feb. 23, 2022. Photo by Deirdre Guice Minor.
CHS Girls Fencing win NJSIAA Silver at State Championships, Feb. 23, 2022. Photo by Deirdre Guice Minor.
