Yeshiva University Men's Fencing started their official NCAA season this past Sunday, the 11^th of November. The Macs had an intense day of competition with satisfying results. Competing against eight different schools, six with NCAA programs, and two clubs, the team fought from 9am until 7pm. The Maccabees fought hard against tough competition and have already qualified a number of fencers for the NCAA Regional Championship which Yeshiva will be hosting in March. The Maccabees are headed towards a great season.

This team is young, more than half of the team was recruited in September. However, with an augmented coaching staff and practice schedule, they are quickly and steadily improving. The team has a bolstered coaching staff of NCAA championship winner and Guianese National Team member Avinash (Avi) Somir, who is the Mac's new Epee coach and recent alumnus Jed Segura, who is focusing on new talent development. These two additions to the coaching staff have joined ranks with veteran Head Coach Peter Rosas and Foil Coach John Wilhelm to bring in respectable results from in the 2015-2016 Season's first competition.

Sophomore Captain, Spencer Brasch, started the competitive season strong, leading the Maccabees and his foil squad with an astonishing 22 wins out of a total of 24 bouts; a 92 percent win record and more than enough to qualify for the NCAA Regional Championships. His fellow foilist, Yonah Shmalo earned two wins despite his recent entry to the difficult and elite territory that is collegiate foil fencing.

In Saber, veteran fencer Jacky Sasson joined Brasch on the Yeshiva Regional Roster after the first meet of the long fencing season. He earned 7 NCAA wins, and one club win, which he scored against The United States Military Academy (Army). His fellow veteran, Yossi Hoffman earned 4 NCAA wins, just 1 short of Regional qualification. He also managed to bring home a win against Army. The most surprising results in Saber came from legacy recruit, Yosef Kerendian. Kerendian is the third member of his family to fence for the Maccabees in the past two years, and he racked up 5 total wins on his first day, with 4 wins contributing to his NCAA record.

The Epee squad faced harsh competition, but still managed to earn a number of wins. Veteran South African fencer Ariel Ancer earned two wins, two of which were NCAA bouts. New recruit, but seasoned fencer, James Alavosus put up five wins, three of which will add to his NCAA record.

Stay tuned for next Sunday, when the Macs will fence against The College of William and Mary, Hunter College, Johns Hopkins University, and the United States Naval Academy at their first MACFA meet at Hunter College.