Alexa Antipas is now a two-time national fencing champion, having won her second Division IA women's sabre national title in June.
"She’s a fierce competitor and she brings that intensity to the team as well," said Jeff Salmon, one of her coaches at Mission Fencing in Miller Place. "She has consistently been a top performer."
Antipas, 17, also won the Junior Olympics in the Under 17 women's sabre event, giving her three national titles in one calendar year. The rising senior at Ward Melville High School normally trains four days per week, but when school let out this year, she began practicing every day leading up to the competition.
"During this event, the level of fencing was the same as any other competition because everyone was fighting for the one spot and I was the target to beat because I won it the year before," she said in an email to Patch. "It made me realize that I am learning how to win and that I can compete in this sport."
Notre Dame and Ohio State are two schools that have approached Antipas about joining their fencing teams.
