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CF360 FENCERS OF THE WEEK ARCHIVE (2009-11 seasons)
Penn Sabreist Evan Prochniak Named CF360 National Fencer of the Week;
five others among Primetime Performers; Brown's Barrett Weiss is Rookie of the Week.
RELEASE: Jan. 31, 2012 CONTACT: Pete LaFleur (editor@collegefencing360.com)
University of Pennsylvania junior men's sabreist Evan Prochniak (Hudson, N.H.) – a leading contender for the 2012 NCAA title, after reaching the semifinals a year ago – has been named national fencer of the week for Jan. 23-29, 2012, as presented by CollegeFencing360.com (CF360). Prochniak leads the way among the six CF360 Primetime Performers of the Week for college fencing. Brown freshman men's foilist Barrett Weiss (Barrington, R.I.) has been selected by CF360 as the national rooke of the week.
Pennsylvania junior men's sabreist Evan Prochniak (right)
Prochniak's 9-1 record at the Penn State Invitational led the way for the #7 Quakers men, now 11-0 for the season. The two-time All-American and 2011 NCAA semifinalist collected a pair of key wins in Penn's win over top-ranked PSU, including a 5-4 battle with All-American Adrian Bak and a 5-3 win over Sean Moran that produced the final 14-13 margin. Prochniak – who also went 2-0 vs. #8 Duke and suffered his only loss vs. three-time NCAA semifinalist Alex Ochocki (3-5) – now owns a 16-2 season record and is 87-15 in regular-season action during his three-year career with the Quakers.
Temple junior women's foilist Mikayla Varadi (right)
The Primetime Performer designation – awarded regularly on sister sites CollegeSports360, CollegeSoccer360 and CollegeBaseball360 – seeks to recognize achievement based primarily on situational factors, and not solely on raw stats. Selection for the CF360 weekly awards are based on any/all of the following "primetime" criteria:
• In general, preference is given based on the quality of the opponent, contribution to team success and situational factors involved in the fencer's accomplishments.
• Exhibited strong leadership and/or involved in clutch performances, match-winning bouts, noteworthy upsets, etc.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Bonus consideration is given for key performances away from team's home facility.
The four fencers who round out this week's installment of College Fencing Primetime Performers include: Sacred Heat junior men's epeeist Mike Fenech (Prescott, Ariz.), Penn State junior women's epeeost Marg Guzzi (Milan, Italy), Boston College freshman women's epeeist Cara Hall (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Temple junior women's foilist Mikayla Varadi (Beaverton, Ore.).
Brief notes for each honoree are included below. Thanks as always to the respective schools for providing the various photos (action photo of Weiss currently unavailable, but may be added later).
Boston College freshman women's epeeist Cara Hall (right)
College Fencing Primetime Performers of the Week
(Jan. 23-29, 2012 ... presented by CollegeFencing360.com)
Mike Fenech (men's epee... Sacred Heart... Jr. ... Prescott, AZ)
... Transfer from Arizona State (club) who combined with veteran Justin Dion in sweeping talented Yale epeeists, leading key 17-10 statement win for #9 Pioneers vs. #10 Bulldogs; won 5-2 vs. 2011 NCAA semifinalistt Peter Cohen.
Marg Guzzi (women's epee ... Penn State ... Jr. ... Milan Italy)
... Her 11-1 record at home tournament included sweep of #9 Penn (5-3 win vs. All-American Amrit Bhinder), in 16-11 team victory (also went 3-0 in 17-10 win over #8 Temple); won 2010 NCAA title ('11 semifinalist).
Cara Hall (women's epee ... Boston College ... Fr. ... Los Angeles, CA)
... Ranked among BC leaders in 5-1 showing during Northeast Conference home tournament, with her 5-3 win over Cory Abbe delivering 14-13 victory over Brown (which went 6-1), after earlier beating Brown's Hailey Huddleston (5-2).
* Evan Prochniak (men's sabre... Pennsylvania ... Jr. ... Hudson, NH)
... 2-time All-American who went 9-1 at Penn State Invit. (48-28 pt edge), with 2-0 mark vs. #8 Duke & two huge wins in 14-13 upset of #1 PSU (5-4 vs. All-American Adrian Bak; 5-3 vs. Sean Moran to break 13-13 tie); lone loss came 3-5 vs. 3-time NCAA semifinalist Alex Ochocki ('09 champ); 16-2 season record (87-15 career) for unbeaten Penn (11-0).
Mikayla Varadi (women's foil... Temple .. Jr. ... Beaverton, OR)
... Swept foilists from top-ranked Penn State (including 5-3 win over Russian newcomer Alina Antokhina) en route to 11-2 record at PSU Invitational (also posted win to help edge #9 Penn, 14-13); led foil team that went 7-2 vs. PSU.
* Barrett Weiss (men's foil... Brown. .. Fr. ... Barrington, RI)
... Went 14-1 for Bears team that was unbeaten (6-0) in Northeast Conference Duals held at Boston College (sabreist Peter Tyson added key 15-3 record); went 3-0 in 14-13 win over MIT, adding 2-1 mark in similar 14-13 thriller vs. BC.
* Prochniak is the CF360 National Fencer of the Week and Weiss the National Rookie of the Week
Sacred Heart junior men's epeeist Mike Fenech (below left) and Penn State junior women's epeeist Marg Guzzi (right).
