**PHOTOS WILL BE UPDATED — CHECK BACK SOON**
Princeton delivered a breakthrough performance on one of the sport’s biggest stages Sunday, etching its name into school history at the Cetrulo Tournament. For the first time, the boys fencing program captured the epee team title at the prestigious event, turning a milestone moment into a statement against the state’s best.
The historic run helped propel Princeton to a fifth-place overall finish, marking a memorable weekend that showcased the program’s growth and rising presence so far this season. It has already been an impressive start to the 2025-26 campaign.
The trio of King-Yee Joseph Wong, Grady Hegland, and Bora Akbay went 12-2 in the second session after finishing pool play in the morning session as the second overall seed.
“The boys had a great day today,” Princeton head coach Victor Lau said. “There were a bunch of great competitors in the pool, but they were consistent, patient, and got it done in the end. These guys have been working hard every practice, helping each other, focusing on different strengths while also improving weaknesses. They’ve grown together as well.”
Princeton has improved this season, but the program has always been competitive among some of the best teams in the state. The team finished eighth overall at the Cetrulo a season ago and also placed eighth in the epee weapon category.
Senior Grady Hegland went 5-0 on the day in the second session and provided a huge veteran spark for a weapon that is off to a 32-4 regular season start.
“I feel like throughout the entire tournament our camaraderie was really strong,” Hegland said. “The support is what allowed myself and the rest of the team to do so well, and I think that is one of the strongest aspects we bring to the table. It comes down to support.”
Newark Academy earned second place in the weapon category, as Gavin Elbert, Henry Lee, Matthias Schall, and Terence Li combined for 14 victories.
Don Bosco Prep, ranked No. 1 in the NJ.com Top 10, finished in third place, with Joseph Evans, Joshua Siyanko, and Viktor Higgins combining for 13 victories in the second session.
Princeton finished 15th overall at the 2024 Cetrulo Tournament, and after inching closer and closer to its first title, it finally burst open the door in 2026, starting the new year with a shiny new trophy and a sabre attack that only continues to get stronger.
https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2026/01/princeton-makes-school-history-with-first-epee-team-title-at-cetrulo-tournament.html