Thumb, Thumb, Thumb and Water, Water, Water

Name: Gabriella Vernik 

Grade: Senior 

Position: Épée

Hand Dominance: Right

Height: 5’4

Hair Color: Brown 

Eye Color: Brown 

Date of Birth: October 22, 2007

Name: Sophie Liu 

Grade: Senior 

Position: Foil

Hand Dominance: Right

Height: 5’2

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Brown

Date of Birth: September 28, 2007

When and how did you start fencing? How long have you been on Stuvesant’s fencing team, the Vipers, and what inspired you to join?

GV: I started fencing freshman year. I was introduced to it by a member of the boys’ team. I started going to some of the practices, and I went to the fencing club that an alum used to go to; I really fell in love with the sport. Then, I tried out for the team my freshman year and didn’t get on, sadly. So I joined a club outside of school, and then I got on the team sophomore year. I became a starter the first year, which is top three on the épée team. I’ve been on the Vipers since sophomore year, so three years now. What inspired me to join it? I just thought it was fun.

SL: My freshman year, I went to Tim Morehouse because it was close by and they had blades. I fenced Saber—slash slash—because that’s all they had. It’s been three years now. I was inspired because you can kebab people. Like shish kebab—like stabbing. 

Which weapon do you fence with, how did you end up with it, and what specific skills/strengths are required?

GV: I fence épée. I don't remember exactly how I ended up with it. I think I liked that there are kinda no rules—you can hit anywhere. There is no right-of-way like in foil. It’s a little bit more aggressive, which I kinda liked. What specific strengths or skills? Honestly, there are no specific strengths or skills for either foil or épée. Well, except really knowing what right-of-way is in foil. You have to be able to think. You have to follow what your opponent is doing and predict what they might do. But you also have to keep in mind what you're gonna do and what they might do in response. And you have to have a bunch of different attacks and counterattacks and a bunch of different moves made up in your mind depending on what your opponent will do. It's kind of just like chess.

SL: I switched to foil because of PSAL and because it’s closest to saber. You need to be able to know how to use your legs, your arms, and your brain to process information to make your legs move—and leg strength. 

Did being captain change your outlook on fencing? What did the role entail? What was it like balancing being captain of a whole team and then a subset of the team? 

GV: I don’t think being captain really changed my outlook. It’s more work because you have to decide what we’re gonna be doing at practices; you have to observe the team more; and you have to really communicate with the coach. It’s mostly just taking charge of the team; leading all the exercises; seeing what to improve on; and then doing exercises that help improve each team member. As co-captain of the whole team, you’re technically just kind of just making sure everyone does what they need to do. But then, as the subset of the épée captain, you figure out the specifics of what épée needs to do. I don’t know anything about foil, so I can’t really help foil. That’s what Sophie does well, and I do épée, because we each know how our specific weapon works; we run specific drills for our teams. 

SL: My outlook didn’t really change. The role entails leading people. Jeremy said that captains get captain patches, and I didn’t get them. And I can’t sleep before practice. I used to, but now I can’t because I actually have to pay attention. 

What is it like to play a sport that has both individual and team aspects? How do they interact? 

GV: In PSAL, we mostly do team fencing. There are some tournaments on weekends which are individual, but it’s mostly team. The team ones mean that you have to really have a good connection with your team. You want everyone at the same level. You want them energized. Every time we have a game, you want them to be bonded, connected. On the strip, you’re fencing for yourself, but you’re also fencing for your team because you are getting the points for your team; it’s still the team that benefits at the end. For individual, you’re really just fencing for yourself. We don’t do a lot of individual things. There’s usually less people that show up at the weekend events, so it’s just everyone for themselves. It’s more of how you’re feeling that day compared to how the team’s feeling that day. How do they interact? They don’t really interact, especially in PSAL. I think that’s more of an outside PSAL thing.

SL: Pass. 

Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?

GV: N/A

SL: Before the match, when I sit down, I feel like I do better when my knees are bent while sitting. 

What is your favorite Vipers memory?

GV: I think my favorite Vipers memory was sophomore year during spring break. We had a practice, and there weren’t a lot of people. The practice was over, and then it was me, the two sophomore-year captains, and a few other épée team members. We all went to the park and we had a really fun time. We went on the ladybug things in Rockefeller Park. It was fun and we got bubble tea.

SL: None. They’re all so high—they’re all at the same level. 

What do you think about when fencing?

GV: I always think two fingers—two fingers. My coach always yells at me to keep control of my blade with my thumb and my index fingers. I’m always thinking “two fingers” because then you aim with your thumb, and I’m just like “thumb, thumb, thumb” to get to the person.

SL: How far I am, distance-wise. And what attacks I should do. 

What are you and your team going to do to prepare for playoffs?

GV: For playoffs, we’re gonna do a lot of footwork, a lot of lunges, and we’re gonna try to do a lot of blade work drills. We have to get our parry six down, especially for the épée team. We’ll practice defense with specific drills in mind, and we just have to be mentally ready for playoffs. Last year, our energy kinda went down towards the end. I think that’s why we didn't really do as well as we wanted to—because there were a lot of complications. But this year, épée has a bye in the first round, so we don’t have to fence in it. That should give us some more energy for the later rounds. 

SL: Breathe some air, drink some water, eat food, and get at least an hour of sleep. Do well on our APs.

What is something that you have overcome or are working to improve as a fencer? 

GV: In fencing, I have a problem with missing my touches a lot. I’ve been working on my blade work and point control, which is with my thumbs. Always keep your thumb on point. I also have to work on my distance because I always run into people.

SL: Before, I wasn’t able to beat up little kids, but now I can. I am better than the little kids. Poke poke poke. Working to improve? Getting better at aiming. Getting even better at stabbing little kids. 

Do you have any plans to continue fencing in the future or in college? 

GV: My college doesn’t have a team, but they have a club. In that club, they fence other schools in the league. So I think that’ll be really fun. I definitely wanna keep fencing because I don’t know what else I would do with my time.

SL: I don’t know. That’s a problem for future Sophie to decide. 

What tips do you have for the Vipers for their next season? 

GV: For next season, I really want the team to bond. I want them to really connect. I want them to have fun. I don’t want there to be any separation in the team. I really hope that there’s no weird dynamics or anything. I just want the team to be happy. I want them to actually work on what they need to improve, and make their way to playoffs and get first place.

SL: Fence well; do better; get lots of kids to join the team. 

GV Fun Questions:

Funniest Teammate: Maegen Diep 

Favorite Fencing Team/Player: Anne Cebula

Favorite touch: Underarm

Favorite Fencing Shoe: Asics Gel Rocket 10 

Favorite Blade Setup: Leon Paul Lightweight Épée with Pistol Grip 

Favorite Sports Drink: Raspberry Pure Leaf Tea 

Favorite Post Game Meal/Snack:  Swedish Fish 

Playing on Full or Light Stomach: Light 

Hobbies: Eating

Fencing Pet Peeve: When people do the same thing over and over again 

If You Could Play Any Other Sport: Volleyball

Motto to Live By: “Thumb, thumb, thumb.”

Fun Fact: I have three cats, a dog, and two parrots.

SL Fun Questions: 

Funniest Teammate: No one

Favorite Fencing Team/Player: Coach Winston 

Favorite touch: Parry riposte 

Favorite Fencing Shoe: Ones with holes 

Favorite Blade Setup: Blades with scoliosis 

Favorite Sports Drink: Water

Favorite Post Game Meal/Snack:  Water

Playing on Full or Light Stomach: No stomach 

Hobbies: Drinking water and model kit club 

Fencing Pet Peeve: Drinking water 

If You Could Play Any Other Sport: Shooting

Motto to Live By: “Drink lots of water.”

Fun Fact: I read somewhere that more people die by coconuts each year than by sharks. It was like 50 people die by coconuts, and only 15 people die by sharks each year. I believed it, but apparently that’s false.