Today’s Color is Bronze

STANFORD, Calif. – Two Stanford fencers were competing on their own in tournaments on Sunday and both came away with bronze medals.

Sophomore Alexander Massialas was in Paris, France for the Challenge International de Paris. A day after finishing 18th in the individual competition, Massialas helped Team USA earn a bronze medal in the team portion of the tournament.

The U.S. won gold last year at the same event and entered as the top seed. The red, white and blue got off to a good start. Following a first round bye, the American squad cruised past Hong Kong, winning 45-18, in the round of 16. In the quarterfinals, Team USA took on China and earned a 45-33 victory.

The semifinals featured the U.S. and the host country, the No. 5 seed France. The French emerged with a win, topping the U.S., 45-40. In the bronze medal match, the Americans controlled the No. 3 seed Russia squad, 45-30, to reach the podium.

The next major international event for the USA foil team will be the World Cup event in La Coruña, Spain February 21-23.

Senior Francesca Bassa was in the United States at the January North American Cup in Virginia Beach, Va. She started off her 2014 national season on a good note by tying for third in the Division I Women’s Epee to earn bronze.

Bassa was one of only the nine competitors out of the field of 132 to go undefeated in pool play. Her six wins would her earn the No. 2 seed and a first round bye in the round of 128. In the round of 64, Bassa was able to edge out Hannah Lawson, 15-14, to advance. Next up was No. 21 Brooke Sirico in the round of 32 and Bassa would win 15-9. She moved on to the round of 16 and defeated No. 11 Amy Reynolds, 15-11.  

The initial run for Bassa would conclude in the quarterfinals. She went head-to-head with No. 7 Ashley Severson but fell 15-9. Bassa fought her way back into the mix with with a 15-5 win against No. 19 Cara Hall and 15-13 victory over No. 28 Cassandra Bates. However, in the match to go to the finals, Bassa came up shot, dropping the bout to No. 5 Alina Ferdman, 15-13.

The next event on the national tour will be the March North American Cup. It will take place March 14-17 in Memphis, Tenn.