Fencers Take Fifth Place In NCAA Championships

When the Harvard men's fencing team set off for the NCAA Championships in South Rend. Indiana earlier this week, they expected to improve in last year's score. For one thing, they were going with a complete three-man team, after mustering only two fencers for the 1981 event. For another, Sabreman Dave Heyman had captured All-American honors in his first attempt and was returning for a second shot.

And then again, after finishing 23rd in the 1981 event, the swordsmen had plenty of room for improvement.

But the final score--after three days of bouts with the finest squads in the country must have surprised even the most optimistic Crimson fencer When the "Alev" had sub sided and the duellers walked off the strip the Harvard team had tied for fifth place with Princeton their second highest national ranking ever.

And that was not all. After squeaking into the final found by one touch, foilsman David Merner captured sixth place and another spot on the first All-American team Although a muscle injury prevented Heyman form taking the meet as he had hoped, his performance still earned him seventh place and All-American honorable mention.

Both Merner and the team's captain, epeeman Bill Marshall, attributed the squad's impressive showing to solid performances in all three weapons and strong team support.

"The three of us really meshed well as a team," Merner said last night, adding, "We had a good feeling of team spirit, which is really unusual in an individual sport."

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Merner, who overpowered 15 of the 23 opponents after barely making it into the final rounds, said he was pleased with his performance and his ability to come through under pressure.

Noting that he lost two labelle (5-4) bouts, Merner said "I missed second slot by two touches. On the other hand, I also won five labelle bouts, and if I'd lost any of those I wouldn't he All-American. You can always second guess yourself after the fact."

Both Heyman and Merner will be returning next year, and the swordsmen say they're aiming for the third slot in '83. If this year's quantum leap's is any measure, they could just reach their goal.