USA Fencing

(Colorado Springs, Colo.) – Team USA claimed five of the top eight results at the Halle Cadet Foil European Cup in Germany on Saturday.

Sixteen-year-olds James Sands (New York City, N.Y.) and Thomas Dudey (Bellaire, Texas) won gold and bronze, respectively while three of their U.S. teammates all placed in the top eight.

In addition to being the second medal of the season for Sands, who won bronze at the Budapest event in October, the silver medal also moves him into a #2 ranking on the Cadet European Circuit.

After two rounds of pools, Sands and teammate George Haglund (Califon, N.J.) each won 11 straight bouts and were tied for first in the rankings going into the direct elimination tables.

Sands defeated Tom Gombos (GER), 15-6, in the table of 128 and U.S. teammate Owen Sconzo (Merrick, N.Y.), 15-9, in the table of 64.

In the table of 32, Sands won his bout against Daniel Kiss (GBR), 15-6.

With 10 U.S. athletes fencing in the table of 16, eight drew American opponents and neither Sands nor Dudey were exceptions as both fencers were forced to defeat teammates to advance to the quarter-finals.

Sands earned a 15-9 victory over Andre Cornman (Tiburon, Calif.) and Dudey defeated Gregory Mitberg (Beaverton, Ore.), 15-10.

In the quarters, Dudey won his bout against 2012 Cadet World Team member Raymond Chen (Dallas, Texas), 15-7, who ended the day in seventh place.

Sands advanced to the opposite semifinal after a 15-8 victory over Lukas Horger (GER).

Jan Maceczek (Marlboro, N.J.) fenced in the quarter-finals as well, but lost his bout to Ludwig De Bazelaire (POL), 15-14, and finished sixth overall.

Haglund placed fifth after a 15-4 loss in the quarter-finals to Bjorn Erik Weiner (GER).

Weiner defeated Dudey in the semifinals, 15-6. Dudey’s bronze medal finish allowed him to move into the #4 U.S. ranking in the cadet men’s foil team points standings.

Competing in his first international gold medal final, Sands fell to Weiner, 15-6. In addition to being ranked second on the Cadet European Circuit, Sands is also now ranked #2 domestically as a cadet.

Top eight and U.S. results are as follows:

Halle Cadet Foil European Cup
1. Bjorn Weiner (GER)
2. James Sands (New York City, N.Y.)
3. Thomas Dudey (Bellaire, Texas)
3. Ludwik De Bazelaire (POL)
5. George Haglund (Califon, N.J.)
6. Jan Maceczek (Marlboro, N.J.)
7. Raymond Chen (Dallas, Texas)
8. Lukas Horger (GER)

9. Paul Won (Belle Mead, N.J.)
11. Gregory Mitberg (Beaverton, Ore.)
13. Axel Kiefer (Lexington, Ky.)
14. Nolen Scruggs (Ozone Park, N.Y.)
15. Andre Cornman (Tiburon, Calif.)
19. Samuel Moelis (Hewlett, N.Y.)
20. Matthew Branman (Villanova, Pa.)
22. Darren Mei (Foster City, Calif.)
28. Daniel Holley (Pleasant Grove, Utah)
35. Jarred Gou (Saratoga, Calif.)
36. Brian Howard (Petaluna, Calif.)
38. Tyler Endee (Jackson, N.J.)
47. Geoffrey Tourette (Cupertino, Calif.)
56. Owen Sconzo (Merrick, N.Y.)
122. William Upbin (Brooklyn, N.Y.)