March 6, 2008

FAIRFIELD, CT - Freshman epeeist Sean McGeveren fenced well last Sunday at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship and was the highest placing fencer not to be selected for the NCAA Championships.

"Sean had a great day and just missed making the final pool," commented head coach Dr. Tom Vrabel. "He lost two 5-4 bouts in the semifinal round. If he had won just one of them he would have made the top ten and would have qualified for the Championship. His situaiton is just like our saberist Krista Bacci who fell one place short last season. This year she qualified and is going to the Championships. With another year of experience under his belt, I am sure that Sean will be a top contender for selection as a sophomore."

In addition to Sean's strong performance, senior epee squad captain Charlie Thompson also fenced well, placing 20th at NCAA Regionals.

McGeveren's excellent performance capped off a highly successful freshman year where he was the individual epee champion at the Northeast Fencing Conference Championship Tournament and led the Pioneers to the Conference team epee championship.

"I am very excited about the team's prospects for next year," said Vrabel. "We already have Marty Williams, Henry Crocker, CJ Fleck and Dan Miller committed to SHU for next fall to fence saber. Led by Marty, our saber squad will be very young but can be the class of the conference next season. This will allow Jay Manzella to return to his favorite weapon (foil) and join Dan Convery-Zupan, Jimmy Roberts, Will Puglisi and Nick Bentley on a maturing foil squad.

"Incoming A rated epeeist Nick Negron will probably replace Charlie Thompson in the starting lineup, so the epee team will also keep improving. "With nationally ranked Negron and Travis Periera joining the epee team, we will be improving a squad that was very strong by the end of the season. This will make us one of the youngest but strongest teams in the league next year. I am very excited about our prospects both in vying for the conference title and sending multiple selections to NCAA nationals next year."