• Women's Foil
• Women's Epee
• Women's Sabre
• Men's Foil
• Men's Epee
• Men's Sabre (includes 2013 NCAA qualifiers Adrian Bak, Kevin Hassett and Nick Silantyev)
ADRIAN BAK
PENN STATE ... Sabre ... So. ... Franklin Lakes, NJ
... 2011 All-American (7th at NCAAs)
... #6 seed entering 2012 NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional (placed 3rd)
... also placed 3rd at 2011 NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional
Birthplace – New York City
Other noteworthy places where your family has lived – Parents are from Poland
High School – Ramapo (Franklin Lakes)
College major – Economics
Favorite college class – Macroeconomics; enjoy learning about all the policies that make up a market.
Why did you choose your college? – Older brother Dan went there and was member of three national championship teams and first team All-America for Penn State. Also great coaches, academics and perfect distance from home to come back to see family and train back in my hometown club in New York City, The Peter Westbrook Foundation.
What do you most like about being a student-athlete at your school? – Being part of the great traditions Penn State has with athletics.
What would be your dream job? – Operations and supply chain management for a fortune-500 company.
Where do you want to be/what do you want to be doing in 10 years? – Working at a fortune-500 company and have made the USA Olympic Team.
FENCING BACKGROUND ...
How did you get started in fencing? – Followed my brother, Daniel
Family members who have been fencers? – My brother Daniel Bak, sabre. 2008 USA Junior World championship team member, three-time team national champions and three times firstst team All- America. Also 2011 USA World University Games team member (Shenzen, China)
Current coaches – Wes Glon (Penn State) and Aki Spencer-El (Peter Westbrook Foundation)
Key influences on your fencing career – My Parents and brother pushing and motivating me to achieve accomplishments I never thought I could.
What are three words that best describe your college weapon coach – Demanding, Dedicated and Competitive.
ATHLETIC CAREER ...
Pre-bout rituals or superstitions – Never like talking to a lot of people before a match, because it makes me feel to relaxed.
Areas where you feel you have improved most this season – My desire and fight to win every match.
Key areas of improvement that remain for you – Overall strategy game and how to use my strengths to my advantage.
Describe this college season – A bunch of ups and downs, but we kept training and fighting through adversity.
Present/former teammates (HS/club/national teams) who will be fencing in the 2012 NCAAs for other teams – Every top collegiate fencer I have been associated with on a team in some way. For example Evan Prochniak was a teammate of mine for the USA World Championships team. My Penn State teammae Aleks Ochocki, I have known him since I was nine and we have traveled together as little kids, to World Cups in Europe being part of the USA teams and now fencing together in college.
From the fencers in the 2012 NCAAs, are there any you have fenced a high number of times? – Evan Prochniak, Penn I will say there is a rivalry between us since we grew up competing against each other and always the winner of our matches would do well at the tournaments. We are very competitive together.
Your favorite international/national-team fencer – Aldo Montano, because he makes it seem so easy and it's just pretty to watch him compete.
What do you like most about college fencing? – The uncertainty of how tournaments will end up, anything goes.
What would you change about college fencing? – Having separate national titles for the Men and Women.
Did you play other sports at a high level (during high school)? – Football.
If you were to play another sport on the collegiate level, what would it be? – Soccer, Just love the game.
How long do you plan to participate in competitive fencing? – My goal is to make the Olympic Team so until I accomplish my goal.
FAVORITES
Favorite college fencing roadtrip – Duke, Because its a longer than usual trip so we get to really bond as a team.
Favorite cities where you have fenced at an event – Budapest, Hungary because it is a beautiful city and competitive World Cup for team USA.
Favorite/most memorable fencing moment – At the 2008 World Championship being down 8-2 at the break and then 14-11 with each match going to 15, I came back to win and advance to the Top-16.
Favorite pro sports teams – NY Knicks, Jets, Rangers and Yankees. For Soccer FC Barcelona.
Favorite food – Sushi.
Favorite movie & actor – The Hangover and Denzel Washington.
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NATHANIEL ("Nate") BENZIMRA
YALE ... Sabre ... Jr. ... Governor Livingston, NJ
... 2011 All-American (7th at NCAAs)
... #13 seed entering 2012 NCAA Northeast Regional (placed 5th)
... placed 17th at 2011 NCAA Northeast Regional, 14th in 2010
Birthplace – Maplewood, N
High School – Governor Livingston, NJ
College majors – Mathematics and economics
Favorite college class – The Ethics of War: this was a small seminar that I took freshman year and I thoroughly enjoyed it as a result of Stephen Carter teaching it. And it was his first time ever teaching a class of freshman, so that was a plus.
Why did you choose your college? – Stayed overnight, and it was basically love at first sight: loved the students, the campus-life, the professors, the pedigree, everything.
FENCING BACKGROUND ...
How did you get started in fencing? – My brother fenced his freshman year and didn’t really like it, so we ended up with a bunch of fencing gear that nobody was using. I tried it my freshman year with all of my friends and had a blast. The rest is history.
Family members who have been fencers – my dad.
Current coaches (college and club) – My Yale coaches: coach Harutunian and assistant coach Mihail Etropolski
Former coaches – at Manhattan Fencing Club, Yury Gelman; in High school, Vince Paragano; at Medeo Fencing Club, Andrew Lamianski
Three words that best describe your college coach – driven, moral, probably-immortal
FAVORITES ...
Favorite TV show and/or movie; actor and/or actress – American Beauty, The Wire, Kevin Spacey
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JASON CHOY
NOTRE DAME ... Sabre ... Jr. ... Basking Ridge, NJ
... first-time NCAA qualifier
... #3 seed entering 2012 NCAA Midwest Regional (placed 5th)
... placed 6th at 2010 NCAA Midwest Regional, 8th in 2011
Nickname – Choy Sauce
Birthplace – Basking Ridge, NJ
High School – Ridge (Basking Ridge, NJ)
College major – Finance
Favorite college class – Astronomy, it was interesting.
Why did you choose your college – Good business school and fencing program.
FENCING BACKGROUND ...
How did you get started in fencing? – My brother Phil started fencing first and I followed him. He fences for Air Force.
Current coaches – Ian Farr, Notre Dame, Andy Ma, Fencing academy of South Jersey
Three words that best describe your college weapon coach – Ian Farr: chill, funny, awesome
ATHLETIC CAREER ...
Pre-bout rituals or superstitions – I usually eat an omelette the morning of a tournament
Areas where you feel you have improved most this season – athleticism, endurance
Key areas of improvement that remain for you – anger management, at times
What would you change about college fencing?: –NCAAs to 3-person squads instead of 2
If you were to play another sport on the collegiate level, what would it be? – probably soccer
FAVORITES ...
Favorite college fencing roadtrip – to NYC because its always our first meet and it is tons of fun
Favorite cities where you have fenced at an event – Budapest, Hungary, we got to look around after the tournament
Favorite/most memorable fencing moment – Junior Olympics 2007, my first top-8 at a national tournament
Favorite food – steak
Favorite TV show – Dexter
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KEVIN HASSETT
NOTRE DAME ... Sabre ... So. ... Beaverton, OR
... first-time NCAA qualifier
... #4 seed entering 2012 NCAA Midwest Regional (placed 6th)
... placed 4th at 2011 NCAA Midwest Regional
Nicknames – Goose, K. Hass
Birthplace – Portland, Oregon
High School – Valley Catholic/Aloha
College major – Civil Engineering
Favorite college class – Physics, I have always enjoyed the sciences.
Why did you choose your college? – ND had fencing, a good engineering program, and was a Catholic university
Dream job – Working for an engineering firm in Oregon
FENCING BACKGROUND ...
How did you get started in fencing?: My sister Eileen [All-America w-sabre at ND] started fencing and I decided to try it out as well.
Family members/ancestors who have been fencers – sisters Eileen Hassett, Tara hassett
Relatives who have competed in college or pro sports, other than fencing? – My sister Maria Hassett competed at gonzaga for women’s basketball
Current coaches – Ian Farr (college) and Ed Korfanty (club, since 2007)
Three words that best describe your college weapon coach – kind, easy-going, funny
ATHLETIC CAREER ...
Areas where you feel you have improved most this season – My own confidence has improved
Areas of improvement that remain for you – Planning actions
How would you describe this college season – A rebuilding year
Present/former teammates (HS/club/national teams) who will be fencing in the 2012 NCAAs for other teams – Diamond Wheeler (Portland, oregon 2007-12), Anthony Lin (Portland, 2007-12)
What do you like most about college fencing? – the majority of 5-touch bouts
Did you play other sports at a high level (during high school)? – basketball and tennis
If you were to play another sport on the collegiate level, what would it be? – tennis
FAVORITES
Favorite college fencing roadtrip – New York (longest ride and most time to bond with the team)
Favorite cities where you have fenced at an event – Virginia Beach: nicest area
Favorite food – Korean
Favorite TV show and/or movie; actor and/or actress: – Mythbusters, Donnie Darko, Robert Downey Jr.
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ALEKSANDER ("Alex") OCHOCKI
PENN STATE ... Sabre ... Sr. ... Clark, NJ
... 2009 NCAA champion, also reaching semifinals in 2010 & '11
... #1 seed entering 2012 NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional (placed 4th)
... won 2011 NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional, 3rd in '09, 4th in '10
Birthplace – Elizabeth, NJ
Anything notable or unusual about your hometown? – For such a small town we have a lot of great athletes, predominately in lacrosse. Two Major League Lacrosse champions, Matt Poskay and Ray Megil
High School – Arthur L. Johnson HS
College Major – sports management & minor in business
Favorite college class – Sociology my sophomore year because of the famous professor Frank Clemente and how he related everything to real-life situations. He always had a life lesson for every class and ended class with a great quote.
Why did you choose your college? – It was the best fit for me. Not too far away from home and I love the community and atmosphere in state college. Additionally, I was eager to work with coach Wes Glon.
What do you most like about being a student-athlete at your school? – All the support you receive not only from the administration but from the community. There is a real sense of unity amongst everyone.
What would be your dream job? – To work for an NFL team.
Where do you want to be/what do you want to be doing in 10 years? – Have a steady job hopefully in some place warm where I can enjoy the sun on my days off.
FENCING BACKGROUND
How did you get started in fencing? – A free Saturday clinic.
Current coaches – Yury Gelman (club), Janusz Mlynek (club)and Wes Glon (PSU)
Former coaches – Polish American Fencing School and Manhattan Fencing Center
Key influences on your fencing career – My mom! She has always pushed me and believed in my abilities as long as I worked hard. She’s supported me no matter what the outcomes of my tournaments are. And my Pop Warner football coach because he’s the one who convinced me not to quit after my first knee surgery in high school when I thought my career would be over.
Three words that best describe your college weapon coach – Wes Glon, hilarious, motivational, caring
ATHLETIC CAREER ...
Pre-bout rituals or superstitions – Always have to retie my shoes before starting the bout and I take a deep breath before getting engarde.
Areas where you feel you have improved most this season – My conditioning and my footwork. I am much quicker on my legs than in the past.
Key areas of improvement that remain for you – footwork and keeping distance
Describe this college season –A roller-coaster ride for my team, we have been up and down but individually pretty solid. I lost a few bouts early in the season but won the big matches when needed.
Present/former teammates (HS/club/national teams) who will be fencing in the 2012 NCAAs for other teams – Caroline Vloka (Harvard) – MFC/PAFS ... Monica Aksamit (Penn State) – MFC/PAFS ... Adrian Bak (Penn State) ≠ PAFS ... Evan Prochniak (Penn), national team ... Eric Arozian (Harvard), national team ... Daryl Homer (St. John’s) not competing this season due to Olympics but teammates since we were 13 at MFC and national team.
Of the fencers listed above, who are you closest to?: Adrain Bak – we live together and see each other on a daily basis. Additionally close with Daryl Homer because we always help push each other.
Favorite international/national-team fencer – Aldo Montano (Italy) he is the best overall fencer and has amazing footwork. Although, Keeth Smart (USA) and Ivan Lee are my favorite fencers because I grew up watching them and had the privilege of practicing with them. They helped my mentally grow as a fencer and always had advice for me to become a better fencer.
What do you like most about college fencing? – How intense it is and the fact that anything can happen in a 5-touch bout.
What would you change about college fencing?: – Separate Men’s and Women’s into separate championships.
Did you play other sports at a high level (during high school)? – Football and Lacrosse. I was all-conference in lacrosse.
If you were to play another sport on the collegiate level, what would it be? – Football
How long would you like to continue fencing on a competitive level? – I plan on making a run for the 2016 Olympics.
FAVORITES
Favorite college fencing roadtrip – Duke because we are there for more than a couple hours and get to experience other colleges. Additionally, they organize their venue very nicely.
Favorite cities where you have fenced at an event – Summer Nationals in Miami because it was during 4th of July and a beautiful weekend. Also, World Championships in Turkey because we stayed on an amazing resort and got to enjoy our days off.
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VALENTIN STALLER
HARVARD ... Sabre ... Sr. … Old Field, NY
Qualified for 2009 NCAAs after runner-up finish at Northeast Regional
Entered the 2009 Northeast Regional as the region's #3 seed
IFA Championships: Placed 7th
Ivy League Championships: Tied for 2nd
Current Hometown: Old Field, New York
Birthplace: New York, New York
High School: Phillips Exeter Academy (N.H)
Fencing Club: Prise de Fer (Billerica, MA; 2004-2008)
Club Coach: Ariana Klinkov
College Coach: Peter Brand
Fences: Righthanded
Height: 5-9
Updated Biography (from www.gocrimson.com)
GETTING TO KNOW VALENTIN STALLER ...
Nickname: "Baller Staller"
High School's Nickname (colors): "Phillips Exeter Big Red (red and white)"
Favorite College Class: "Wit and Humor. I like it because we spend time discussing why things are funny, but more importantly, because a third of the fencing team is in the class."
Why did you choose your college?: "In regards to fencing, I really liked the coach, Peter Brand, and I had heard great things about the team dynamic. I was also heavily attracted to the Harvard Film Archive, which is one of the country's best places to see old, restored films."
What do you most like about being a student-athlete at your school?: "My teammates are awesome, because they're some of my best friends here and I get to see them every day."
What would be your dream job?: "An executive at a Hollywood movie studio."
How did you get started in fencing?: "When I was in middle school, I heard about tryouts for the high school fencing team. On a whim, i stayed after school and decided to go for it. I was almost cut though, because I missed a few of the tryouts. If I had been cut, I definitely would not be fencing today."
Do you have any family ancestry from a traditional fencing country?: "My dad's grandparents emigrated from what is now Ukraine."
Do you have any relatives who have competed in college or pro sports, other than fencing?: "My dad [Cary Staller] sailed at UPenn and captained the team to an Ivy League Championship his junior year."
Who are your former coaches: "Jeff Salmon at Mission Fencing Center on Long Island (2003-2004); Ariana Klinkov at Prise de Fer in Billerica, MA (2004-2008)."
Who have been the key influences on your fencing career?: "I learned to love the sport because of my first coach, Jeff Salmon. Ariana Klinkov, my coach throughout high school, spent a great deal of time and really taught me how to fence. My dad, Cary, supports me unconditionally and helps me stay motivated."
What are three words that best describe your college head coach?: "Motivating, Hilarious, and Unpredictable."
Do you have any pre-bout rituals or superstitions?: "I always try to eat eggs before a competition."
How would you describe this college season (for you and your team)?: "This season has been amazing. Collegiate fencing has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life so far. I'm looking forward to three more years of it."
List your present/former teammates who will be fencing in the NCAAs for other teams: "Lucas Janson (Stanford): We trained together at Mission Fencing Center until 2007. I used to train with Columbia's Jeff Spear at Prise de Fer, until 2006."
Who is your favorite international/national-team fencer?: "Keeth Smart, because of his unbelievable performance at the Olympics this summer."
What do you like most about college fencing?: "I like fencing for more than just myself. The added pressure of having a team behind me is exhilarating."
What would you change about college fencing?: "I don't like that sabre bouts are so short. I wish they were longer, because sometimes it feels like anything can happen in a 5-touch bout."
If you were to play another sport on the collegiate level, what would it be?: "Hockey. It is a great combination of skill and athleticism."
How long would you like to continue fencing on a competitive level?: "Definitely through college, and maybe afterwards too."
What is your favorite college fencing roadtrip and why?: "Penn State Open. With our first roadtrip of the year being such a long drive, I felt that it was a great time to get to know the other people on the team."
Favorite cities where you have fenced at an event?: "I loved it when Summer Nationals were in Miami Beach, because of the beautiful weather. Hartford, Connecticut, was great too, because it was so close to home!"
Favorite/most memorable fencing moment?: "Finishing 3rd at the Div1 North American Cup in Colorado Springs (December '08). I was fencing very well that day, and it was my best result to date."
Most embarrassing moment on the fencing strip: "At nationals in my last year of cadets, I was winning a bout 14-8 to make the top -6, and I ended up losing 15-14. It was pretty embarrassing to keep making the same stupid mistake, effectively giving my opponent the win."
Favorite pro sports teams/athletes: "[soccer player] Cristiano Ronaldo"
Favorite Food: "Sushi"
Favorite TV Show and/or Movie: "The Graduate and How I Met Your Mother"
Favorite Actor: "Robert DeNiro"
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NIKITA "NICK" SILANTYEV
WAYNE STATE ... Sabre ... Sr. … Old Field, NY
Qualified for 2009 NCAAs after runner-up finish at Northeast Regional
Entered the 2009 Northeast Regional as the region's #3 seed:
Height: 6.3
Birthplace: Tashkent, Uzbekistan (current hometown)
Anything notable or unusual about your hometown?: It is in Central Asia
High School: School # 178, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
College Major: Finance
Favorite College Class: Advanced Business Finance
Why did you choose your college?: It has a good program
What would be your dream job?: Financial analyst
FENCING BACKGROUND
How did you get started in fencing?: My grandfather took me to a fencing gym
College coach: Jerzy Radz
Former coaches: Konstantin Neizvestniy (1999-2004 ) with junior national team of Uzbekistan, and Vladimir Lim (2004-2010 ) with national team of Uzbekistan
YOUR ATHLETIC CAREER
Areas where you feel you have improved most this season: actions in defense
From the fencers in the 2012 NCAAs, are there any you have fenced a high number of times?: Rhys Douglas ( Ohio State ), Kevin Hassett ( Notre Dame )
Who is your favorite international/national-team fencer?: Stanislav Pozdnyakov
What do you like most about college fencing?: It gives an opportunity to get a good education, and, at the same time, compete on the high level
How long would you like to continue fencing on a competitive level?: As much as possible
FAVORITES
What is your favorite college fencing roadtrip and why?: New York. It is fun
Favorite cities where you have fenced at an event : New York, Evanston, Yanggu ( Korea )
Favorite/most memorable fencing moment?: 2005 Uzbekistan National Championships – 1st Place
Favorite Food: Borsh