Krochmalski Wins Midwest
Fencing Conference Title

Notre Dame, Ind. – The WSU fencing squads both finished fourth in the Midwest Conference Championships at Notre Dame this past weekend (March 2-3). Senior Jakub Krochmalski (Lodz, Poland) won the men’s sabre individual competition on Sunday.

Krochmalski defeated Notre Dame's All-American Andre Crompton in the men's sabre championship (15-12). Sophomore Marc Mathias (Mishawaka, IN) was eighth in the men's sabre while senior Jonathan Ferris (Southfield, MI) placed 13th.

WSU freshman Wojciech Dudek (Krakow, Poland) tied for third in the men's epée, while junior Jason Murdoch (Waterford, MI) placed 12th. Junior Stephen Briesmeister (Clinton Twp., MI) was 28th in the men's epée.

In the men's foil, senior Rex Briones (Livonia, MI) placed ninth, with classmate Ian Chapp (Detroit, MI) finishing 14th. Senior Jason Jopek (Westland, MI) was 16th.

The Wayne State men's and women's fencing teams will travel to Cleveland on Saturday, March 9, to compete at the Midwest Regional Championships, which will help determine entrants for the NCAA Championships.

---

WSU Finish Fourth
At Midwest Championships

The Wayne State University men's and women's fencing teams participated in the 2002 Midwest Conference Championships on March 2 in South Bend, Indiana. Host Notre Dame won five weapons titles with Northwestern winning the remaining weapon (women's epée).

In the men's foil preliminary round, WSU (5th seed) defeated Detroit Mercy (12th seed), 5-3. In the quarterfinals, WSU upset No. 4-seeded Michigan State, 5-0 as senior Rex Briones (Livonia, MI) and senior Ian Chapp (Detroit, MI) each won twice. In the semifinals, the Warriors continued the upset run with a 5-2 win over top-seeded Northwestern. Briones and Chapp each recorded two more victories. WSU lost to second-seeded Notre Dame, 5-2, in the finals. Briones and senior Jason Jopek (Westland, MI) had the Warrior wins.

In the men's epée preliminary round, WSU (7th seed) defeated Detroit Mercy (10th seed), 5-0, behind two wins from junior Jason Murdoch (Waterford, MI). In the quarterfinals, Wayne State lost a 5-2 decision to second-seeded Ohio State. Recording wins for the Warriors were freshman Wojciech Dudek (Krakow, Poland) and Murdoch. In the consolation final, No. 6-seeded Purdue posted a 5-2 win over WSU as Dudek had two wins. Wayne State finished eighth after a 5-3 loss to Chicago in the seventh place match. Dudek had all three WSU victories.

In the quarterfinal round of the sabre competition, Wayne State (No. 3 seed) was a 5-0 victor over Chicago (No. 6 seed). Senior Jakub Krochmalski (Lodz, Poland) and sophomore Marc Mathias (Mishawaka, IN) each had two triumphs for the Warriors. Notre Dame defeated WSU, 5-1, in the semifinals. The Warriors lone win was by senior Jonathan Ferris (Southfield, MI). Wayne State won the third place match, 5-2, over top-seeded Northwestern. Ferris had three wins, while Krochmalski had the other two victories.

Sunday's competition will consist of the Midwest Conference Individuals Competition. Fencing is set to begin at 8 a.m. at the Joyce Center Field House.