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Friday, November 11
Milwaukee, Wis.
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Duke University
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US Fencing Association North American Cup
Walter Shows Strong Performance at November NAC
11/15/2016 9:30:00 AM | Fencing
MILWAUKEE, WIS. – The Duke fencing team saw a number of strong performances from freshmen at this weekend's November North American Cup (NAC), hosted by the United States Fencing Association in Milwaukee, Wis.
“The first NAC was a senior level event while this one was a junior level,” said head coach Alex Beguinet. “Since many of our fencers did very well at the October NAC, they could have entered this competition with a false sense of their skill level so far this semester, however I believe all four freshmen performed very well. We're interested to see how our fencers do at the upcoming December NAC with more senior level competition.”
Eoin Gronningsater kicked off competition for the Blue Devils Friday in Junior Men's Foil. In his second NAC, Gronningsater entered competition seeded sixth out of 280 participants and finished pool play with a perfect 6-0 mark. After receiving a bye in direction elimination play in the table of 256, the Brooklyn, N.Y., native secured three straight victories before falling to eventual silver medalist Nick Itkin in the table of 16. Gronningsater finished the contest ninth overall.
Agoston Walter and Ben Stone rounded out Duke's time in Milwaukee Monday in Junior Men's Saber with both freshmen receiving perfect 6-0 ledgers after pool play concluded. After receiving a bye in the table of 256, Walter defeated four competitors before his run ended in the table of 8 after a setback to eventual bronze medalist Karol Metryka. The Framingham, Mass., native placed sixth on the day and earned a spot on the podium.
Stone earned a bye in the table of 256 and tallied one victory in the direct elimination rounds, finishing 36th in his second NAC.
Aidan McGinnis entered his second NAC as the No. 42 seed out of 272 fencers in Junior Men's Epee. He hit the strips Sunday and completed pool play with a 2-5 mark before winning three straight matches in direct elimination. The Boulder, Colo., local garnered 57th overall out of 260 competitors.
“All four fencers did a great job this weekend, and we are very proud of Ago for doing so well in his first NAC,” Beguinet said. “They are all excited to come back to Durham and work more to get ready for December.”
A complete list of results for the Blue Devils competing this weekend can be found below. Select Duke fencers will participate in the third of four North American Cups Friday, Dec. 2-5, in Richmond, Va.
Junior Men's Saber (224 Entries)
6. Agoston Walter
36. Ben Stone
Junior Men's Foil (270 Entries)
9. Eoin Gronningsater
Junior Men's Epee (260 Entries)
57. Aidan McGinnis
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
Foil
/ Fencing
Epee
/ Fencing
Saber
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