Scott Yakaitis, Ariana Tibaldi and Daniel Breyre, juniors on the Manhasset High School fencing team, each received All-County and All-Long Island honors in their respective weapons. Manhasset placed more fencers on the All Long Island team than perennial fencing powerhouses Garden City, Oyster Bay or Hewlett. Only Great Neck North, this year's undefeated team champions, matched Manhasset's tally of All Long Island fencers. Manhasset and Great North accounted for six of the 12 All Long Island fencers from Nassau County.

Scott Yakaitis, men's épée, ranked first in Nassau County as he won more bouts than any other competitor. In addition to fencing for Manhasset High, Scott fences on the junior (19 years and younger) men's épée team for the North Shore Fencers Club located on Community Drive in Lake Success and the New York Athletic Club. This past summer he and his teammates took a fifth place at the Summer Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina. Recently, Scott qualified in regional competitions for the opportunity to fence in the national junior Olympic qualifier to be held in Dallas, Texas over the President's Week break. Scott, although only 16, qualified to compete in the junior (19 years and younger) and the cadet (16 years and younger) competitions.

Dan Breyre, men's foil, ranked second in Nassau County. It was Dan's interest in fencing that helped start the fencing program in Manhasset High three years ago. Dan, a very competitive fencer in the regional and national level, has qualified to compete in the cadet division of the junior Olympic qualifier in Dallas.

Ariana Tibaldi, women's épée, also ranked second in Nassau County. This outstanding achievement is even more impressive as this is only Ariana's second season fencing. Her hard work and year round practice have helped her come far in a short period of time.

Unfortunately, the lack of depth and experience, as a whole, precluded a winning year for either the men's or women's fencing team. However, this is just their second season. Many of this year's beginners will return as experienced fencers.

The sport of fencing is fast and athletic, a far cry from the choreographed bouts you see on film. The movement is so fast, the "touches" are scored electronically.

Foil, épée and sabre are the three weapons used in the sport of fencing. Until recently, women were permitted to compete only in foil. The other weapons were added for women in the 1996 Olympic games.

The foil has a flexible rectangular blade, approximately 35 inches in length and weighs less than one pound. Points are scored with the tip of the blade and must land within the torso of the body. A touch to the arm, leg or head is "off target" and no point.

The épée (pronounced "EPP-pay"), the descendant of the dueling sword, is similar in length to the foil, but is heavier, weighing 27 ounces, with a larger guard and much stiffer blade. The entire body is the valid target area. A quick épéeist may even score a point by "touching" his opponent's foot. A "toe touch" is a particularly demoralizing attack.

The sabre is the modern version of the slashing cavalry sword. It is the same length and weight as the foil. The target area is from the waist to the top of the head.

Scott, Ariana or Dan would be happy to give demonstrations to any local elementary school groups to generate interest for the future of the team they helped start. Fencing requires as much mental agility as it does physical. They will be glad to explain how each of them started and what your son or daughter needs to do to participate in this exciting sport.