The clashing of steel and the squeak of sneakers echoed through the gym as West Morris Mendham High School’s fencing team took to the strips for the annual Morris County Fencing Tournament. This season, the boys finished with a 2-11 record while the girls finished with an 8-6 record. With a history of excellence and a reputation for grit, the Minutemen fencers proved once again why they are a force to be reckoned with in North Jersey.
Fencing at Mendham isn’t just a sport; it’s a long-standing tradition. For 2 decades, the program has been a staple of the school’s athletic department, known for turning beginners into elite competitors.
While many schools focus on high-profile sports like football, Mendham’s fencing program has quietly built a “powerhouse” reputation. Over the years, the team has seen numerous squad championships and individual state qualifiers. Much of this success stems from a unique team culture in which veteran seniors spend hours mentoring freshmen, teaching them everything from the basic “en garde” stance to advanced parries.
A standout leader for the West Morris Mendham High School Minutemen, Declan Webster’s performance was nothing short of a masterclass in precision and composure. Entering the tournament as a captain with a reputation for technical bladework, he lived up to the mantle by navigating a highly competitive field to secure the first-place gold medal.
When asked how his mentality changed as he progressed to the individual rounds, Declan commented, “My mindset had kind of been adjusting gradually. […] From the very beginning of the qualifying rounds, I was sloppy. I was kind of goofing off, which is partly the fault of our friend from Morristown. And then I think probably the reason why I was so goofy at the beginning was the pressure. […] As qualifying became more and more [of a] reality, my mentality had already begun to shift, taking things a lot more seriously, and celebrating my wins, but also going one point at a time. So by the time we had all gotten to individuals, it wasn’t like an abrupt shift. I don’t think it was, but we were there. It was all the moment.”
Beyond his individual success, Webster’s victory served as a massive boost for the Mendham program. As the foil squad captain, his gold medal contributed significant points to the team’s overall standing, helping Mendham secure fourth place in a deep county field.
While the foilists were making waves, Mendham’s dominance extended into the heavy steel of the epee division. Constantinos Mantinaos delivered a gritty, high-stakes performance to secure a third-place finish at the 2026 Morris County Fencing Tournament, proving that the Minutemen have elite depth across all weapons.
Unlike the rapid-fire pace of foil, epee is a game of extreme patience and “all-target” vulnerability. Mantinaos thrived in this high-pressure environment, showcasing a defensive style that forced opponents into costly mistakes.
The 2026 Morris County Fencing Tournament wasn’t just a showcase for the boys; Lillian Vaccaro ensured the Mendham High School girls’ squad left their mark on the podium as well. Building on a strong 2024–25 season that already saw her secure a bronze-medal finish in a competitive foil field, Vaccaro brought elite agility and tactical brilliance to this year’s tournament.
Against what many considered the most competitive girls’ foil draw in years, Lillian fought her way to a hard-earned third-place finish, highlighting her consistency, strategic acumen, and rising presence as one of the region’s standout fencers. Her performance not only underscored her individual development but also helped reinforce Mendham’s growing reputation as a force in county fencing.
The feedback from the interviews was overwhelmingly positive, with participants specifically highlighting the quality of the coaching and the strength of their club environments. While this season’s senior class will be missed, we are excited to watch the next generation of fencers embrace these leadership roles and make their own mark on the program.
