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Ridgewood & Westfield Win on Weapon Strength

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, January 8th 2026 at 22:30 GMT by NJ.com
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Boys' Competition: Foil Dominance and Sabre Savvy

Ridgewood boys' fencing team delivered a commanding performance against Wayne Valley, winning 21-17. The victory was largely fueled by an exceptional showing in the foil discipline. Jack Riley, Michael Chen, and Ethan Lee formed an undefeated foil trio, sweeping all nine bouts. This kind of complete dominance in a single weapon is often a deciding factor in high school fencing, where overall team depth is paramount. Wayne Valley found some success with their epee team, spearheaded by Sean O'Connell, but couldn't overcome Ridgewood's consistent performance across the board. The result underscores the importance of a balanced team, but also highlights the power of a truly exceptional squad in a particular weapon.

Similarly, Westfield edged out Union in a tightly contested match, finishing with a 20-18 victory. Westfield's sabre team proved to be the difference maker, capturing eight out of nine bouts. Alex Kim, Justin Park, and Kevin Cho's performance was instrumental in securing the win. While Union's foil team, led by captain David Lee, demonstrated resilience and skill, they ultimately couldn't match Westfield's sabre power. This match highlights that even a strong, well-performing team can be defeated if a particular weapon isn't adequately addressed.

Girls' Competition: All-Around Excellence

The North Hunterdon girls' team showcased impressive all-around talent in their 22-16 victory over Montgomery. Unlike the boys' matches where single-weapon dominance was a key theme, North Hunterdon's success stemmed from consistency across all three weapons. Sarah Johnson (foil), Emily Carter (epee), and Olivia Williams (sabre) each maintained undefeated records, demonstrating a depth of skill rarely seen in high school competition. Montgomery struggled to match this comprehensive approach, securing only a handful of individual wins.

Chatham's 23-15 victory over Livingston followed a similar pattern. Maya Patel (foil), Sophia Rodriguez (epee), and Isabella Garcia (sabre) all played pivotal roles in securing wins across all weapons. Livingston's epee squad offered some resistance, but it wasn't enough to counteract Chatham's overall strength and balanced attack. The common thread in both North Hunterdon and Chatham's victories is that a team doesn't necessarily need to dominate in a single weapon to win, but requires solid, reliable performance across the entire lineup.

Looking Ahead: County Tournament Battles

All eyes are now turning towards the Essex and Union County Tournaments, set to take place on January 15th and 17th respectively. The Essex County Tournament will be hosted by Columbia High School, while Johnson High School will host the Union County Tournament. These tournaments will be significantly larger than the dual meets seen on January 8th, attracting competitors from across the region.

Expect fierce competition in both events, with Ridgewood, Westfield, North Hunterdon, and Chatham all likely to be contenders. The success of teams will hinge not only on individual skill but also on strategic lineup construction and the ability to adapt to different opponents. The foil squads of Ridgewood and North Hunterdon will undoubtedly be teams to watch, while the sabre teams of Westfield and Chatham will need to maintain their recent momentum. The upcoming tournaments promise a thrilling display of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship, solidifying high school fencing's position as a vibrant and growing sport in New Jersey.