WSU Finish Fourth At Midwest Championships

WSU Travels To 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).

Wayne State (No. 4 seed) lost a 5-1 decision to fifth-seeded Michigan in the women's foil quarterfinals. WSU's lone win was recorded by junior Sarah Murray (Livonia, MI). In the consolation semifinal round, Michigan State, seeded ninth, posted a 5-2 win over the Warriors. Sophomore Kathryn Hefner (Walled Lake, MI) had two wins for WSU. Wayne State finished eighth after losing the seventh-place match, 5-2, to Cleveland State (No. 6 seed). Hefner and Murray each had one win for WSU.

In the women's epée quarterfinals, Wayne State (No. 3 seed) was a 5-0 winner of Michigan State (No. 6 seed). Senior Amanda Collins (Yale, MI) and freshman Anna Vinnikov (Ma'alot, Israel) each recorded two wins. Ohio State upended the Warriors, 5-2, in the semifinals. Vinnikov and senior Inga Wallrabenstein (Osnabrueck, Germany) each won once for the Warriors. In the third-place match, WSU lost a 5-1 decision to fourth-seeded Notre Dame. Vinnikov had Wayne State's lone triumph.

Wayne State (No. 7 seed) lost a 5-1 decision to second-seeded Michigan in the women's sabre quarterfinal round. Senior Melanie Duda (Livonia, MI) had WSU's lone win. Lawrence upended the Warriors, 5-3, in the consolation semifinal. Duda had two wins, while freshman Jinelle Lawson (Sand Creek, MI) had the other victory. In the seventh-place match, Wayne State was a 5-0 winner over eighth-seeded Chicago. Senior Lesley Washburn (Detroit, MI) and Duda each had two wins.

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.