Winning Seasons, State Honors Celebrated By Central's Fencers

LONG VALLEY, N.J. – What was originally billed as a rebuilding year turned into a success both for teams and individuals across both the girls and boys fencing teams at West Morris Central.

The teams celebrated their successes at Black Oak Country Club with their annual banquet. Boys captains Zach Mange (junior) and Lucas Huizenga (junior) helped lead the team to an overall winning record and went 6-3 in dual meets. Sophomore Christian Garcia and Freshman Nate Mange earned second team NJ All-Conference recognition in foil. Huizenga earned Honorable Mention for NJ All-Conference in Epee, and Nate Mange finished his season ranked 18th in New Jersey for foil. The team voted unanimously to have Zach Mange and Huizenga return as senior captains.

The girls celebrated their achievements as well with some jaw-dropping individual performances.

The team went 6-5 in dual meets with Katherine Santsevich finishing the season 22-1, earning a second team All-State nod and ranked 13th in New Jersey for Epee. She also earned first team All-Conference honors. Santsevich will return as a senior captain.

Brooke Solsky went out on top as well, as the senior captain notched a 22-3 record and ended the season ranked 10th in state for foil, earning third-team All-State honors and first-team All-Conference honors.

Senior Holly Vaccarella earned an honorable mention for NJ All Conference at sabre, and junior Devon Howell had the third-best winning record for the girls at 15-7 in foil.

Pictured: Brooke Solsky, Boys Coach Jay Manzella, Nate Mange at NJSIAA State Individual Championships. Photo Courtesy Kevin Mange.