February 15, 2012

Kaneshige and Staller Named Primetime Performers of the Week

Kaneshige (left) and Staller were two of eight fencers selected to the CollegeFencing360.com Primetime Performers list, announced on Wednesday evening. (Gil Talbot)

CollegeFencing360 Full Release

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Both freshman Brian Kaneshige and senior Valentine Staller were included as part of CollegeFencing360.com's weekly "Primetime Performers of the Week" list. The two Crimson fencers impressed at last weekend's Ivy League Championship helping the men to second-place finish, as the squad went 4-1.

Kaneshige has had a strong freshman campaign, which was highlighted by his recent performance at the Ancient Eight championship. The freshman from Maple Wood, N.J., helped spark the comeback over Penn delivering wins over Vidur Kapur and Zane Grodman, as the Crimson went on to beat Penn, 14-13. Kaneshige boasted an impressive scoring margin through the event, totaling a 65-44 advantage.

Staller in his own right has had a memorable senior season, missing out on an individual Ivy League championship with the sabre by only one win, finishing second in the field at the duals tournament last weekend. There weren't many that were able to best Staller as the Old Field, N.Y., native went 12-3 during the weekend and nearly doubled the amount of touches tallied against opponents, going 71-33.

Both competitors helped lead the Crimson clinch the 2012 fencing Beanpot title last night at the Malkin Athletic Center, as Harvard defeated MIT 21-6, Boston College, 20-7, and Brandeis, 22-5. Harvard will now prepare for the NCAA Regional event hosted by Boston College, slated for March 11.