By:TONY BELLISSIMO
Dilbert, one of six members of Coach Adam Beerman-s squad to win at least 20 regular-season matches, was hoisted in the air by teammates in a jubilant celebration following five hours of intense competition.
The kids worked their hearts out, and they deserve it, said Beerman, a 1989 Hewlett graduate who experienced the thrill of winning a county championship as a high school fencer as well. It-s unbelievable. I don-t think anyone expected us to be in this position. We lost some major contributors from last season. We weren-t sure how well we could do, but then we went 5-0 in December and our outlook changed.
The Bulldogs eventually won their first nine dual meets before losing 15-12 to Garden City in the regular-season finale. Though the setback spoiled the team-s chance at an undefeated season, it helped them keep things in perspective.
I think the loss made them hungry for the big prize, Beerman said. They didn-t dwell on it. They stayed focused and continued to work hard.
Hewlett eliminated Wheatley in the first round of the playoffs, and drew Garden City in the semifinals, while Great Neck North and Oyster Bay met in the other semi. Down 9-6, the Bulldogs dug deep. It was a grueling battle, Beerman said. We were down by three a little more than halfway through, so we definitely had our backs against the wall.
Thanks to clutch victories by senior Michael Gazes in sabre and junior Aaron Leaf in epee, the deficit was overcome. Hewlett won 14-11 and the Bulldogs had enough left in the tank to complete the mission. It was a really great ride, Beerman said.
Gazes, an All-County selection, went 23-5 in the regular season and placed fifth in the individual championships on Jan. 31. He was a combined 6-0 in the semis and finals. Michael is an intelligent fencer who knows how to exploit the weaknesses of his opponents, Beerman said.
Leaf won each of his four bouts on Saturday to follow a 21-6 regular-season that brought him All-League honors and a fourth-place finish in the county. Also in epee, senior Noah Leaf was 20-7, All-League and sixth in the county, and senior Ethan Mandelup was 19-12, in addition to a 4-1 record in the most important rounds of the playoffs.
In foil, both Dilbert (four losses) and junior Chris Polley (six defeats) had 25 wins. They were All-County and All-League, respectively, and Dilbert placed fourth in Nassau. John is passionate about the sport, and he-s got great skills, Beerman said. He competes all over the country, and he-s only going to get better.
Junior Gil Auflander held his own with a 15-13 mark. Senior Addison Amer had the best winning percentage on the team, going 23-1 in sabre en route to All-County honors. He was just tremendous, the coach said.
And junior Kim Lee, in his first varsity campaign, won 13 times.
