Western Wayne Today

The Wayne State University Fencing Program showcased its talent with seven student-athletes participating in individual competitions during the fall season. Six athletes competed at the North American Cup, while one represented the program at the Bern World Cup.

The fencers who participated were Bryce Heim from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; Mitchell Gatrell from Livonia, Michigan; Sam Gneuhs from Mason, Ohio; Ethan Leung from Hong Kong; Zeyad Nofal from Cairo, Egypt; Lance Miller from Freeport, Michigan; and Mahmoud Elsayed from Tanta, Gharbia, Egypt.

Heim took part in both Division I and Division II Men's Epee categories. He achieved a 3-3 record in pool play for Division I but was defeated by Dylan French of Puerto Rico in the table of 256 with a score of 15-12. In Division II, Heim excelled with a 5-1 record in pool play and advanced through two bouts before losing to William Lehr of the United States in a close match of 14-15.

In Division I Men's Foil group competition, Gatrell ended pool play with a 2-4 record while Leung achieved a 5-1 record. Both moved on to bracket play where Leung received a bye but lost to Anton Korablin in the table of 128 by 10-15. Gatrell faced John Evan Snytsheuvel and was defeated with a score of 15-7. Gneuhs did not advance past pool play after finishing with an 0-6 record.

Nofal entered bracket stages undefeated in pool play (5-0) within the Division I Men's Saber group but fell to Triton Oh of Egypt in the table of 64 by a scoreline of 15-10.

Miller participated in Junior Men's Epee but did not progress beyond pool play after recording an 0-6 result.

Gneuhs returned for Division II Men's Foil competition and recorded a respectable 3-2 mark leading into bracket play. He secured victory at the table of 256 before being eliminated by Jaimin Vishawadia of the United States with a score of 10-15.

Elsayed represented Wayne State at the Bern World Cup competing in Men's Senior Epee Individual events. He won his first six preliminary matches before losing narrowly to Jonathan Fuhrimann of Switzerland by a scoreline of 3-2. Elsayed continued his strong performance into bracket stages securing wins at tables of 64 (15-14), 32 (15-11), and 16 (15-13) before exiting at the table of eight following a narrow defeat with scores ending at 14-15.

Looking ahead, Wayne State's fencing teams are set to compete again on Saturday, November 23rd at the NFC Championships hosted by Brown University.