Mike's Spikes wins gold at team tourney
Fencing

Mike's Spikes won the FCB Team Tournament Saturday to open the 2007-08 competitive season. Winning gold were, from left, Kevin Ingraham (South Wales), Nancy Locke (Williamsville) and captain Mike Licata (Getzville).

The Fencing Center of Buffalo kicked off the 2007-08 competitive season with the FCB Team Tournament Saturday at the Robert Binner.

Getzville's Mike Licata led his team of Nancy Locke (Williamsville) and Kevin Ingraham (South Wales) to the gold medal.

Mike's Spikes defeated the Marauding Mallets, Samantha Anthony (East Aurora), Mike Kugel (Tonawanda), Sebastian Augustine (Buffalo) and alternate Nick Stanford (Williamsville), in the finals, 5-1.

The tournament format consisted of a 5-touch pool bout competition of teams to seed, followed by five-touch, best of nine bouts direct elimination.

Licata, who earned his D rating through the USFA in February, defeated Kugel, 5-2, and Augustine, 5-2, in the final, while Ingraham bested Augustine, 5-2, and Locke beat Stanford, 5-3.

Mike's Spikes advanced to the finals with a 5-3 victory of Team Kruegerrand, Matt Krueger (Cheektowaga), Liz Galbo (Williamsville), Carrie Skellen (Ransomville) and alternate Catherine Mucci (Buffalo), in the semifinals. The Marauding Mallets bested The Three Musketeers, Victoria Licata (Getzville), Michael Tubbs (East Amherst) and Pam Skellen (Ransomville), 5-1, in the semis.

Team Kruegerrand won the bronze medal with a 5-3 victory over the Three Musketeers in the consolation match.