Panthers junior finds sabre success with dedication
By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
Phillip Grudzina was familiar with fencing for a while. But it wasn’t until last year that he really found himself immersed in the sport.
”I got started a few years ago,” said the Montgomery resident, a junior at Princeton Day School. “My brother (John) did it when he was in school (at Hun). I didn’t do it seriously at first. I would go to a week of summer camp and that was about it.
”I started more seriously about a year ago. I’ve been going to my club about three or four times a week since I have been training for competitions.”
Not only is Grudzina now a key part of the sabre team at PDS, but he also is deeply involved with fencing outside of high school. In addition to his practices and matches with the Panthers, he goes to Mr. Ma Fencing in Hillsborough four times a week.
”I enjoy the sport,” said Grudzina, who had the clinching win when the Panthers topped Voorhees, 16-11, on Monday to even their record at 4-4. “It is a lot of fun. I wanted to get better. I didn’t have any other commitment that I was into and I wanted to do something.”
The Panthers’ win over Voorhees on Monday was something that doesn’t happen very often. Other than a win six years ago, the team hasn’t had much success against the traditionally strong program from Hunterdon County. But the boys came through, led by Grudzina and Andrew Schroeder, who went a combined 6-0 at sabre, as well as Cameron Dunbar, who won all three of his epee bouts.
”Our coach told us this was only the second time we have beaten them in the last 20 years,” Grudzina said. “So it’s usually a tough match, which made winning pretty exciting.”
Grudzina enjoys competing in the sabre, which is not always the weapon of choice for fencers. But it’s the weapon he enjoys the most.
”Sabre is a slice weapon where you can hit with the point or with the blade and the target area is anywhere above the waist,” Grudzina said. “I feel like it is a lot faster than the other weapons and also more physically demanding. I think sabre fencers need to be in pretty good shape. To me it is more exciting that the other weapons.”
Grudzina is happy he has been able to make a contribution to the Panthers this year. The team has been strong in sabre, and with Trevor Hummel leading the way has also done well in foil. With some of the bigger matches coming up, Grudzina is looking for the success to continue.
”We have our second match with Hun coming up (Monday) and also the prep states,” said Grudzina, who is 14-4 this season. “Our coach has been playing around a little with the lineup. We have another sabre fencer, Andrew Schroeder, who is a freshman and he also goes to my club. He has been solid this year.
”I would like to win the rest of my bouts. I lost two in the first match of the season when I wasn’t really into the high school fencing mode yet. So I’d like to win the rest of the matches and do well in the prep states.”
One thing is for certain, Grudzina will certainly put in whatever time is necessary to improve.
”I fence a lot competitively outside if school,” said Grudzina, who will compete in the Junior Olympics in Charlotte the weekend of Feb. 15-18. “I’d like to do well there and maybe fence in college.
”You have to work hard. Our school team practice three or four times a week when we don’t have matches. And I go to my club and work with Mr. Ma four times a week.”