High School Fencing News


Boys fencer of the week

Monday, February 11, 2008

Mike Mills, Millburn Sophomore, sabre, (6-4, 205)

Just the stats:

Mills was 10-0 in the opening pool to help his school to second in sabre and first overall and then went 8-0 in the team pool to win the individual title, at the District 3 championships last Sunday.

Most memorable moment in fencing: Summer Nationals 3rd in Y14 and got junior points.

Biggest improvement: "My attacks have improved. The ending of my attacks. I finish faster."

Toughest opponent: Josh Hammond, Bernards, and Jason Choy, Ridge.

Why fencing: "My dad, Robert, fenced in high school and college. He found a club and he brought us there."

Team goal: "Hopefully we can win (team) states. I think we have a shot."

Personal goal: "I finished fifth at (individual) states last year so hopefully I can do better than that. I also want to try to make the cadet national team next year."

Pregame ritual: "I have the same warm-up routine every time. I listen to music."

Biggest influence: "My dad. He started me and he always motivates me."

How I spent my summer: "I went to Summer Nationals and went to camps at Peter Westbrook and in Princeton."

Favorite pro sports team: New York Giants.

Favorite athlete: Michael Strahan.

Favorite music: "Hard rock and some rap."

Favorite TV show: "Lost", "The Office", "Family Guy", and "House".

Favorite movie: "Gladiator" or "V for Vendetta".

Favorite food: "My mom's homemade meatballs."

Place I would most like to visit: Italy.

In 15 years: "Something with business. Maybe I'll own my own business. I haven't thought about where I want to live."

College plans: "Notre Dame and NYU are on my wish list."

 


Boys fencer of the week

Monday, February 04, 2008

  

Craig Limoli, Pingry Senior, sabre, 5-11, 135

Just the stats:

Limoli was 9-0 in the team pool to lead his school to first in sabre and went 8-0 in individual competition to earn gold in sabre at the NJSIAA District 2 championships.

Other sports: "I ran cross-country for the first time this fall."

Most memorable moment in fencing: "During my sophomore year I faced Marty Williams (of St. Benedict's Prep) in the Freshman-Sophomore Tournament. I was a huge underdog. He was rated high nationally. I beat him two out of three in the semifinals and went on to win the tournament."

Biggest improvement: "I used to not do well in high school because it's only a five-touch bout. It can be unpredictable. I've been better at fencing harder from the start."

Toughest opponent: Aleks Ochocki, Johnson. "I beat him only once, in a local tournament. He's an amazing fencer."

Why fencing: "I started about a year before high school. I went to a clinic at the YMCA. I used to play lacrosse, but I realized I was too small."

Personal goal: "I want to finish in the top three."

Fencing style: "Mostly powerful legs."

Biggest influence: Andrew Lamiansky, his private coach, and Pingry assistant Steven Kovacs."

Favorite food: Cannoli.

Favorite subject: Psychology.

Favorite book: "Catch 22" by Joseph Heller.

Favorite TV show: "Arrested Development."

Favorite music: "I like rock. The Foo Fighters are one of my favorites."

Place you would most like to visit: Italy.


Girls fencer of the week
Monday, February 11, 2008

Diane Zielinski, Bernards Senior, epee, 5-7

Just the stats:

She went 10-0 in the team pool to lead her school to first overall and in epee and she finished 8-0 in the individual pool to become the first person from her school to win three individual titles at the District 1 state championships last Saturday.
Zielinski, who was 12-2 at the Santelli Tournament, has gone 80-15 in dual meets during her four-year career, while leading Bernards to overall and epee titles at districts all four years.

Other interests: "Running and yoga. Both give me opportunities to focus my mind and center myself between competitions."

Most memorable moment in fencing: "Winning Division II at Summer Nationals in 2006. It was really exciting for me and I felt rewarded for all my training."

Biggest improvement: "Adjusting between national and high school fencing."

Toughest opponent: "I respect my opponent any time I walk on the strip."

Why fencing: "My brother, Dan, was an epee fencer for Bernards. I started and loved the combination of athletic ability and strategy."

Personal goal: "I want to take first at states (individuals) and want to move into the top eight in juniors on the national standings. I'm top 16 right now."

Biggest influence: "My coach, Yakov Danilenko. He's helped me develop as a fencer and a person."

How I spent my summer: "I went to Summer Nationals in Miami and trained in Poland for a week."

Favorite athlete: Michael Jordan. "Every athlete can be inspired by his dedication."

Favorite music: "Pop, R & B and Hip-hop."

Favorite TV show: "Lost."

Favorite movie: "Stardust and Moulin Rouge."

Favorite food: Pasta.

Favorite book: "Siddhartha," by Hermann Hesse.

Dinner for four: "Nicole Kidman, Justin Timberlake and Al Gore."