Ahtlete of the Week

Fencing is an individual sport, and while the Brewers work together in many ways, individuals still shine. Kristina Poznan ’08 is one of the shining spots on the roster this year, especially after an 8-1 finish on Nov. 20 against CCNY, Sacred Heart and Marist.

Poznan has been fencing for six years, starting under the influence of “peer pressure” in her high school in Fairfield, CT, one of the very few in the state with competitive fencing squads.
While many of her friends ended up dropping the sport, Poznan stuck with it. She finished twenty-ninth of 56 entrants in her first match this year against most of the schools in the Northeast with fencing clubs or teams.

Coach Bruce Gillman praises Poznan’s dedication to her position as the foil squad leader.
Since the other two members of the squad are freshmen, Poznan’s role is very important. According to Gillman, “She is always helpful in practice to everyone, taking time to work with anyone who needs help.”

Her help during practice can only bring a team so far; it is the competitions that count in the end, and Poznan is there as well, encouraging and helping her less experienced teammates.
Being the squad leader and the most experienced foil on the team, she is often the first to fence in tournaments, and she passes along advise to her team to help them defeat their opponents.

Watching the team come together so early, Poznan is hopeful for the season, though the road will be tough. She is grateful for their early victories against easier teams.
“We take the wins where we can,” she said, adding that “this year, the team is more cohesive, and even without much recruiting power, we’re getting people with some experience and that is really helpful.”

—Sarah Palermo
Sports Editor