PALO ALTO, CA (January 14, 2018) -- The Vassar College men's fencing team traveled out west to Stanford University Sunday afternoon for the 2018 Western Invitational, hosted by the Cardinal. Vassar finished the day 3-3, picking up wins over CalTech (24-3), the University of Florida (20-7) and the University of the Incarnate Word (17-10). VC was topped by the University of California, San Diego (18-9), Stanford (19-8) and Air Force Academy (16-11). 

In foil, senior Tom Racek led the way for the Brewers with seven total victories on the afternoon, including picking up two piece in matches against CalTech, Air Force and Florida. Sophomore Noe Berger added six victories for the Brewers, while freshman Adlai Brandt-Ogman finished with five bout wins along with two forfeit victories. The foil team won three of its squad match-ups on the day. 

In sabre, Vassar's depth was apparent as the Brewers picked up squad wins in five of the day's six matches. Against UCSD, Vassar got three wins from freshman Evin Heintz, while senior Eli Polston posted a pair of bout triumphs. Heintz would finish the day with a team-best 11 victories, going undefeated against Air Force and Florida, while Polston finished with nice wins while posting clean slates against the Gators and ICW. Sophomore Graeme Mills posted eight total victories including his pair of forfeit victories, chalking a pair of wins against CalTech and Incarnate Word. Nicholas Williams also added two wins apiece for Vassar against CalTech and ICW. 

In men's epee, freshman Michael Jaklitsch paved the way for the Brewers with nine total bout wins, who finished with a total of three squad victories on the day. Against Stanford, Vassar's epee team excelled, getting two wins apiece from Jaklitsch, senior Jonathan Alperstein and senior Daniel Swezenski. Against CalTech, the squad saw Roman Guglielmo finish with two wins, while Alperstein and Jaklitsch were each winners in two of their bouts. In all, Alperstein totaled six wins while Swerzenski finished with five victories. 

The Brewers will return to action Sunday, January 28 at Boston College, competing in Vassar's first day of competition in the Northeast Fencing Conference in Chestnut Hill, MA. VC will take on the host BC, along with Brown University, Brandeis University, MIT and Tufts University.