Fencers Rebound: Rip Johns Hopkins, 16-11

After a depressing two-match losing streak, the Harvard fencing team broke out with a 16-11 win over Johns Hopkins University yesterday in the I.A.B.

Stung by adverse criticism resulting from its general frustration in the New York matches against Columbia and CCNY, the Crimson sabre squad came up with eight victories and only one loss against the intimidated Baltimore fencers.

Junior Terry Valenquela and freshman Gordon Rutledge had undefeated afternoons resulting in six scores for the Harvard cause. Senior Ken Hetzler added two tallies to clinch a virtual rout of the Hopkins sabre squad.

Epee remained strong for the Crimson with Captain Geza Tatrallyay and junior Ken Bartels combining for four victories. An additional win by Rich Bargar gave Harvard a narrow edge in that weapon for the afternoon.

Tatrallyay produced another epic moment in fencing during his second bout. Retreating rapidly in the face of a Hopkins fencer's running attack, he tripped and executed a backward roll in the midst of which he managed to score on his incredulous opponent. The incident added further luster to the legend of Tatrallyay's technique, which has been called by many the "most unique style in America."

The foil team, a weak link this year in the Crimson line-up, could manage only three victories against a merely adequate group of Johns Hopkins foilists. The toil team, while sorely missing key personnel Don Valentine and Ron Bernstein, was pleasantly surprised by the two victories of senior Emile Godrey.

Self-proclaimed "Wild-Card Fencer," Godfey converted from sabre to foil in the Columbia match and promises to bring welcome aid to the ailing Crimson foil team while junior Dave Fichter attempts to regain his winning ways.

The fencing team faces a grueling ten match schedule in February after the exam period hiatus. The opening round takes place on February 5 when the Crimson return to the graveyard of lost fencing teams, New York City, to take on national champion NYU on its home ground.