July 21, 2008

FAIRFIELD, CT - For the first time in Sacred Heart University athletic history, an incoming freshman athlete has won a national championship in his sport. Marty Williams (Plainfield, NJ/St. Benedict's Prep) achieved this feat by winning the United States Fencing Association Junior (19 and under) national saber Championship on July 6 in San Jose, CA.

Williams placed first in the preliminary round of competition, earning him the top seed in the direct elimination tableau. In the direct elimination part of the competition he continued his dominance, defeating Adrian Zuk 15-12 in the quartefinals and defending champion Alex Ochocki 15-11 in the semifinals, before defeating Daryl Homer in the Championship match, 15-13.

During direct eliminations, Williams was in the lead at the midpoint of all of his matches and was never behind in the second stanza of any of the bouts. This exceptional accomplishment caps a senior year schoolboy campaign where he placed 16th at the USFA Senior saber championship, losing to Beijing Olympian Tim Moorehouse. He also became the first four-time New Jersey State prep fencing champion. Finally, Williams placed 73rd at the Senior World Cup international saber competition held this June in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Marty had an exceptional competition in San Jose," said Pioneer head Coach Dr. Tom Vrabel. "I was very fortunate to be in the stands to watch Marty win his first National Championship. He is a truly gifted athlete with exceptional quickness and explosive foot speed rarely seen in sports like football and basketball, let alone fencing."

"I am very pleased that all of Marty's hard work and determination has paid off with this great accomplishment", said Vrabel. "Most junior national fencing champions go on to become first team All Americans and often NCAA champions. Marty has an excellent chance to have this level of success during his upcoming Pioneer Fencing career"

In addition to Williams' championship, Pioneer team captain Sean McGeveran also had a fantastic national tournament, placing 11th in the Division 1A National Championship event. He also placed sixth in the North Atlantic Sectional championship, which was the regional qualifier for the Div 1A competition.

"Sean did very well in San Jose despite a nagging ankle injury," commented Vrabel. "We look forward to Sean continuing the success he enjoyed as a freshman at SHU where he was the Northeast Fencing Conference epee tournament champion and he led the Pioneer epee squad to its first ever epee squad championship."

The Pioneers will kick off the 2008-2009 NCAA campaign at the "Big One" intercollegiate competition in early November.