University of Notre Dame - Dome Yearbook (Notre Dame, IN)

FENCING Sabres, epees, and foils clashed with wild competitiveness in the University field house this year as the Irish swordsmen battled their way to one of Notre Dame ' s most remarkable seasons in fencing. With only two of last year ' s lettermen returning and a group of veteran teams scheduled, Coach Langford hoped for no more than a mediocre season. But last year ' s reserve material came forward brilliantly with a keen dis- play of form and aggressiveness to aid in winning seven out of nine matches, the best Irish fencing record since 1938. The squad opened the season with two upset victories, one over Wis- consin and the other over Chicago ' s highly touted Maroons, who had won 25 straight matches and five successive Big Ten titles. Following this up with a sound drubbing of Marquette, 19Vfc-7V2i tne ^ r ' s h began to hope for an unbeaten season. Ohio State spoiled these dreams with a 15-12 victory, but the team came back to defeat Marquette and Mich- igan State on their home floors, and, after taking their only other set back at the hands of Illinois, I4y 2 -12y 2 , crushed their last two op- ponents Cincinnati and Washington by scores of 14-3 and 13-4. The season was highlighted by a new Notre Dame scoring record of 38 points set by Russ Harris, and championship victories by Tom Tearney and John Flynn in the Indiana State meet. Captain Jack Gaither demonstrates the proper technique Varsity Fencing Team. Kneeling: James Madigan, Angel Gonzalez, John Flynn, John Gaither, Cap- tain; Russell Harris, James Corbett. Standing: Mike Humphreys, James Leising, Francis Veit, Jr., Mr. Walter Langford, Coach; Louis Peck, Thomas Tearney, Herbert Melton 277