Wilton Students Finish Strong In State Fencing Tourney

WILTON, Conn. – Five students from Wilton High School were among hundreds of fencers from about 55 schools who competed in the Connecticut High School Individual State Fencing Championship in New Haven last Saturday.

Wilton High School fencers (from second left) Megan Roughan, Tessa Markham, Jai Nagpal and Liam Smith at Saturday's state fencing tournament. With them is Zoe Howard from Weston.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

by Vanessa Inzitari

03/06/2013 3:30 p.m.

Meghan Roughan, Daniel Jensen, Tessa Markham, Jai Nagpal and Liam Smith—who all train at the Wilton Fencing Academy— competed individually, as fencing is not varsity sport at the high school.

Nearly 300 fencers competed in the tournament, ranging from United States Fencing Association rated fencers to unrated fencers.

Liam, a freshman who competed in his first-ever competition in January, was ranked 34th out of 83 competitors in the Men’s Foil event. Jai and Daniel, also freshmen, finished 49th and 67th respectively.

Megan, a senior, placed 34th out of 65 in the Women’s Foil event. Tessa, a freshman, competed in the Women’s Epee. This was her first-ever tournament.

“I’m proud of these kids,” said Matt Laudicina, their team coach at Wilton Fencing Academy. “They come here to train and they work hard. It shows in the results.”

Liam, Tessa and Jai are trying to make fencing an approved sport at the high school. This would allow them, and others interested in the sport, to compete in state championship tournaments as Wilton Warriors.

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