United States National Team member and Captain Lokossou bring new inspiration
Ben Wynns
Staff Writer
After a season in which individuals achieved success but team results were inconsistent, the Hunter Hawks men’s and women’s fencing teams hope for a more complete season this term. The unique combat sport is becoming an increasingly popular sight on the New York college athletics scene, and the Hawks hope to establish themselves as one of the city’s Division III fencing powers alongside NYU and Yeshiva.
For the third year in a row, both the men’s and women’s teams will be coached by formed United States national team member Patrick Durkan. Manager and assistant coach Jose Samora, the team’s standout performer before exhausting his eligibility last year, expressed the feeling that this season’s team is more well-rounded and experienced in all three of the sport’s weapon classifications: epee, foil, and sabre, the Hawks’ traditional strength.
“We have Jillian Melnick and Isaac Orbe, who are talented sabres, and then our captain Justin Lokossou is at epee,” he explained.
Squad captain Lokossou, a senior originally from Come, Benin, stated that his goals for the season were to not only raise his individual winning percentage, but also to serve as a positive influence on the rest of the squad.
`“I watch my teammates during competition and try to keep them focused, suggesting strategies when I can. I was hesitant over the summer about being a captain this year, but I fell into it easily enough. I love the sport, and I share that love with my teammates.”
While fencing is not a traditional sport to play growing up, the team members are enamored by the sport and its distinctiveness. “I think that fencers are some of the most unique people you’ll ever meet, said Lokossou. “There’s such a huge array of personalities, and people who might never have known each other are united through this sport.”
“The sport opened up so many opportunities for me,” added Samora.
The Hunter women’s team opened its season with a 14-13 squad victory over Army at homecoming, with sophomore Jillian Melnick notching a 3-0 individual record in the sabre competition. The men’s team could not match their success on homecoming night, as they lost to Army 19-8 with only the sabre team of Issac Orbe and Alexis Chavez managing to keep it close at 4-5.
After a month-long hiatus for the holidays, both the men’s and women’s teams resumed competition at the Army Invitational in West Point, N.Y. on Jan. 21. Both team’s remaining schedules culminate with the NCAA tournament in March. Team members encourage their fellow Hunter students to come out and enjoy supporting the the team, whether they understand the game or not.
“The atmosphere of a tournament seems quiet and confusing at first, but look closer and you will see something phenomenal,” stated Lokossou. “The energy, the movements, the cheer of a fencer who scores a touch. It’s an experience well-worth having.”
