Fencing duo travels to France, Hungary for World Cup

This past weekend, while the University’s fencing team had a break from competition, a duo of Columbia fencers continued the duels halfway around the world.

Seniors Daria Schneider and Jeff Spear traveled to France and Hungary, respectively, to compete in the fencing World Cup.

Schneider, a Russian literature major from Massachusetts, was the 2007 NCAA champion and currently is ranked 15th in the world. As a member of the 2009 Senior World team, she made the trip to Orléans, France. Individually, Schneider did quite well, defeating a Venezuelan fencer 15-14 to make the round of 32 before losing to a Chinese fencer 15-13. Despite finishing a solid 22nd in the individual competition, Schneider said she is not entirely happy with her results.

“I would have liked to do better,” Schneider wrote in an email. “It is just about having the right strategy going into the match.”

In the team competition, the United States took the gold with 64 total points, 12 above second place France. The team was comprised of a Notre Dame fencer, a St. John’s fencer, Schneider, and Emily Jacobson, CC ’08. For Schneider, teaming up with Jacobson again was a wonderful experience.

“Emily Jacobson was a great role model for me when I first came onto the team. Now that she has graduated, it is great for me to still be able to compete alongside her.”

The U.S. women’s team first edged out Romania 45-44 to make the round of eight. It then went on to beat Italy 45-29 and 2008 Olympic Championship team Ukraine 45-39 before facing France for the gold medal. In front of the French home crowd, the U.S. team beat France 45-44.

“It was great for us to beat France in France. Also, Italy beat us at World Championship last season, so it was nice to set the tone for this year by beating them decisively,” Schneider said.

Just 800 miles east of Orléans, Spear competed in the men’s World Cup in Budapest, Hungary. Spear, a 2009 second team All-American, won the 2008 NCAA individual championship in saber. In Budapest, Spear left the individual competition disappointed with his final results.

“I struggled for most of the first round,” Spear wrote in an email. “I lost my elimination bout to the Hungarian fencer Csaba Gall.” But Spear was able to regain his confidence and composure during the rest of the competition, which will be invaluable in the upcoming matches. Spear was not the only Columbian in Budapest over the weekend. Also competing was Light Blue alum James Williams, CC ’07, who defeated the 2004 Olympic Champion Aldo Montano of Italy.

The team competition did not go as well for the men’s team as it did for the women’s. The U.S. men’s squad finished in sixth place with 30 points, just two points behind fifth placed China. Romania took home the gold with 64 total points and a commanding 14 points lead over second place Italy.

While the men’s team fell short of the goal, the experience of competing in international competition is invaluable for Spear.

“It is my first year traveling extensively with the US senior team, so for me, this tournament is still about building experience integrating myself with the culture of the team,” Spear said.

The experience of travelling abroad to face tough international competition is certainly rewarding as an athlete, but it also comes with a price, especially for a Columbia student. For Spear, who is writing his thesis and completing his assignments in Budapest, the life of a student disconnected from campus can be challenging.

“Sometimes it almost feels like I am living a different life over here and that can make it difficult to keep up as a student,” Spear noted.

Despite the challenges, the opportunity to represent the United States in events such as the fencing World Cup is worth the cost.

“The opportunity to represent the U.S. and Columbia to the rest of the world is an experience for which I will always be grateful. All student athletes play a role as ambassadors for their school, but to have the opportunity to take that to the next level, and to represent the U.S. and Columbia abroad, is something very special for me,” Spear said.

This weekend, Schneider and Spear will meet up in Moscow to compete in the Grand Prix, similar to a major in tennis. With sabres in hand, Schneider and Spear look to build on their experiences in Orléans and Budapest, while also capturing the gold.