WALTHAM, Mass. — Brandeis University senior Adam Mandel of White Plains, N.Y., and junior Caroline Mattos of Providence, R.I., have been selected as the first University Athletic Association Fencers of the Week for the 2014-15 season.
Mandel was honored for the 14th time in his career with UAA Fencer of the Week honors. It was also the fourth year in a row he was recognized for the opening week of the season. For Mattos, it was her 11th career UAA weekly honor, and the second time for Week 1 of the season.
Mandel and Mattos competed for the Judges on Nov. 1 at the New England Intercollegiate Fencing Conference Fall Invitational, commonly known as The Big One.
Mandel reached the finals of the men's sabre competition for the fourth year in a row, winning his second-straight gold after taking home silver as a freshman and sophomore. One of 10 unbeaten fencers in pool play, Mandel was seeded fifth into the direct eliminations based on his touch differential.
In the knockout bracket, Mandel rolled into the semifinals, doubling up three straight opponents from WPI, Vermont and the third seed from Boston College. In the semis, Mandel faced his stiffest competition, earning a 15-12 win over Benji Lin of MIT, the top seed. In the finals, Mandel met teammate Jess Ochs-Willard of Montclair, N.J. Mandel earned a 15-8 win to defend his title.
Mattos completed a full set of medals in the women's foil from the Big One. After winning the event as a freshman and placing third last year, Mattos took home the silver medal in 2014.
Mattos was seeded second by two touches after going unbeaten in pool play. She had little trouble reaching the semifinals, where she defeated Jessica Li of MIT, 15-9. In the finals, Mattos fell to Boston College's Nagisa Ogata, the fourth seed by a slim 15-14 margin.