The Carleton varsity fencing team started the season off strong, winning three gold medals Oct. 17-18 at the Queen’s University invitational in Kingston, Ont.
There were 14 Raven competitors in total, all of whom placed in the top 25 at the invitational.
The team itself came out on top in three of the five events, including both the men’s and women’s foil and the women’s sabre.
Kelleigh Ryan, a first-year arts master’s student, captured the women’s foil title with ease.
Ryan just returned from competing in the World Championships in Turkey and her strong fencing abilities were made clear at this invitational.
Head coach Eli Sukunda did not hesitate to say Ryan was the “strongest fencer on the team.”
With past achievements influencing her present successes, Eli said she expects Ryan will continue to attain excellence as she qualifies to compete in this year’s playoffs.
The Raven’s victories didn’t stop there.
Adrienne Sukunda continued to trump competition.
She faced Allison Doyle, an all-American opponent who took the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championship last year.
However, Adrienne battled through any intimidation this may have brought and captured her first gold of the year in the women’s sabre.
Scott McNeil found similar success, placing first in the men’s foil.
“I was actually really surprised. My start was a bit shaky, but my coach and I have been working on changing up my style and the outcome made for a good weekend,” McNeil said.
Although the Ravens finished strong at Queen’s, their coach said there will be stiff competition this season.
“We discovered that Queen’s University and University of Toronto are very good this year and will be the teams to beat at the OUAs,” Eli said.
The next battle for the Raven fencing team will be the Royal Military College (RMC) Invitational Oct. 31 – Nov. 1.