Cougars Fence To League Championships

Above, the Commack boys fencers compete against Walt Whitman earlier this season. Left. Commack’s Stephanie Miller competes against Huntington. Photos/Fast Focus Photography/Bob Williams

By Haley Pereyo
info@longislandergroup.com

Commack’s girls and boys fencing teams took home the League I title in a season featuring new coaches, doubts and hard-fought successes.

The Lady Cougars finished undefeated in league competitions, with their only losses coming at the hands of Ward Melville, first in non-league competition, and then in the Suffolk team final.

First-time fencing coach Anthony Musto did not know any of the girls personally or how they would fare against the league competition, but said they “absolutely exceeded my expectations.”

Musto said his only job was “to condition the girls and get them as prepared as possible.” He attributed the team’s success to the Lady Cougars’ hard work and determination.

That effort not only resulted in a league title, but many smaller victories as well.

Foil Amanda Loo won two gold medals this season, and finished All-Team Long Island for women’s foil.

Stephanie Miller, a senior who competes in sabre, finished the season 31-1, leading not only the Lady Cougars in wins and record, but the entire league.

Foil Katie O’Neill finished the season with the best foil record in the league. O’Neill was also named the “Fencer’s Fencer,” an award voted on by all the fencers in the league.

Musto said, “It is the award that goes to the nicest, most caring fencer in the league.”

Just as the Lady Cougars did, the boys fencing team also fought through adversity to become league champions.

While they too fell to Ward Melville in the Suffolk final, the Cougars surprised many in their journey to reach that point.

Coach Paul Slackman said last year’s team was led by several seniors who have since left the program, and left a hole in the roster he was worried about replacing.

“Prior to the season, no one across Long Island thought that we had a chance to do much this season, much less win the league title,” Slackman said.

In the battle to surpass those expectations, the Cougars fought to earn every point and postseason award that came their way.

Sophomore Charleson Kim, in sabre, has been on the team since his eighth grade season, when he fought his way into the starting lineup.

Now, Kim’s won the individual county championships with a 24-5 record this season. He was also selected first team All-County and first team All-League.

The Cougars were also led by senior captain Chris Collago and junior Joon Lee, both of whom ended the season with impressive records.

Collago, in epee, ended his final season as a CHS fencer with a record of 24-6.

Lee, foil, finished his junior season with a record of 21-5.