Temple University Athletics
Fencing Holds Annual Banquet; Celebrates a Successful 2017-18 Season
5.8.18 | Women's Fencing
PHILADELPHIA - After another impressive season on the national stage, Temple fencing celebrated its success at the team's annual banquet on Sunday, April 29. The Owls went 26-12 overall, earned their 22nd straight NIWFAÂ Championship, and sent three fencers to the NCAA Championships including sophomore foilist Kennedy Lovelace who earned All-America Second Team honors.
Special Banquet Honorees
> The Owls had a special honoree in attendance at their banquet in former men's fencer Marc Wagner, who provided the gift that made the Marc Wagner Fencing Facility a reality this past season.
> Also in attendance was Executive Senior Associate AD/SWA Mary McElroy and other members of the support staff.
> Each year, Temple celebrates the anniversaries of past teams, and had two alums in attendance with their families - Cathy Humphrey Bennett ('88) and Debbie Currie Tross ('98).
Team Honorees
> Owl Club Academic Award - Sophomore Malia Hee
> Most Improved - Freshman Megan Ross
>Â Epee MVP - Senior Safa Ibrahim
> Foil MVP - Sophomore Kennedy Lovelace
> Sabre MVP - Sophomore Kerry Plunkett
2017-18 Team Highlights
> The dual meet season saw Temple go 26-12 overall, led by the sabre squad. With a record of 30-8, the sabre squad posted its second-most wins in program history behind last year's 35 wins.
> The Owls were ranked in every CollegeFencing360 Coaches Poll of the season, and were as high as seventh before finishing the year ranked 10th.
> Temple went 8-2 over two days at the Northwestern Duals. The Owls' only two losses were to teams ranked in the top five, and they earned wins over both #8 Northwestern and Stanford.
2017-18 Individual Highlights
> Temple head coach Dr. Nikki Franke earned her 800th career win on Feb. 4, and now stands at 807-242-1 after 46 seasons with the Owls.
> Temple sent three fencers to the 2018 NCAA Championships, and sophomore Kennedy Lovelace placed seventh in foil to earn All-America Second Team honors. Lovelace was the foil team's first All-American since 2011.
> Sophomore Malia Hee placed 13th in sabre in her first-ever NCAA Championships, while sophomore Kerry Plunkett finished 22nd in sabre.
> Hee was given a prestigious honor at the NCAA Championships banquet, being named the recipient of the ELITE 90 Award for having the highest GPA (4.0) of all participating student-athletes.
> Seven Temple fencers earned All-NIWFA honors after the Owls took home their 22nd straight NIWFA team title. Temple had five first-team honorees and two second-team honorees, while Hee earned both first team and NIWFA All-Academic Team recognition.
> Senior Safa Ibrahim set the program's all-time wins record after four years, going 221-103 in her collegiate epee career. Ibrahim took home the epee title at the NIWFA Championships, and was named to the All-NIWFA First Team.
> Six of 12 Temple fencers were finalists at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional, highlighted by a second-place showing for Malia Hee in sabre after she tied for first and placed second by touches.
> The Owls had nine finalists at the 38th annual Temple Open. Freshmen Kari Weiner (foil) and Eva Hinds (sabre) both took second place in their first-ever meet as Owls.
> Sophomore Kennedy Lovelace was named the Under Armour OwlSports.com Athlete of the Month in February, and also earned Under Armour OwlSports.com Athlete of the Week recognition in March following the NCAA Championships. Sophomore Malia Hee also earned Athlete of the Week honors in March, while junior Blessing Olaode earned the honor in January.
> Lovelace went on to be named the Female Performer of the Year for all of Temple Athletics at the annual Stellas: A Celebration of Champions on April 30.
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Special Banquet Honorees
> The Owls had a special honoree in attendance at their banquet in former men's fencer Marc Wagner, who provided the gift that made the Marc Wagner Fencing Facility a reality this past season.
> Also in attendance was Executive Senior Associate AD/SWA Mary McElroy and other members of the support staff.
> Each year, Temple celebrates the anniversaries of past teams, and had two alums in attendance with their families - Cathy Humphrey Bennett ('88) and Debbie Currie Tross ('98).
Team Honorees
> Owl Club Academic Award - Sophomore Malia Hee
> Most Improved - Freshman Megan Ross
>Â Epee MVP - Senior Safa Ibrahim
> Foil MVP - Sophomore Kennedy Lovelace
> Sabre MVP - Sophomore Kerry Plunkett
2017-18 Team Highlights
> The dual meet season saw Temple go 26-12 overall, led by the sabre squad. With a record of 30-8, the sabre squad posted its second-most wins in program history behind last year's 35 wins.
> The Owls were ranked in every CollegeFencing360 Coaches Poll of the season, and were as high as seventh before finishing the year ranked 10th.
> Temple went 8-2 over two days at the Northwestern Duals. The Owls' only two losses were to teams ranked in the top five, and they earned wins over both #8 Northwestern and Stanford.
2017-18 Individual Highlights
> Temple head coach Dr. Nikki Franke earned her 800th career win on Feb. 4, and now stands at 807-242-1 after 46 seasons with the Owls.
> Temple sent three fencers to the 2018 NCAA Championships, and sophomore Kennedy Lovelace placed seventh in foil to earn All-America Second Team honors. Lovelace was the foil team's first All-American since 2011.
> Sophomore Malia Hee placed 13th in sabre in her first-ever NCAA Championships, while sophomore Kerry Plunkett finished 22nd in sabre.
> Hee was given a prestigious honor at the NCAA Championships banquet, being named the recipient of the ELITE 90 Award for having the highest GPA (4.0) of all participating student-athletes.
> Seven Temple fencers earned All-NIWFA honors after the Owls took home their 22nd straight NIWFA team title. Temple had five first-team honorees and two second-team honorees, while Hee earned both first team and NIWFA All-Academic Team recognition.
> Senior Safa Ibrahim set the program's all-time wins record after four years, going 221-103 in her collegiate epee career. Ibrahim took home the epee title at the NIWFA Championships, and was named to the All-NIWFA First Team.
> Six of 12 Temple fencers were finalists at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional, highlighted by a second-place showing for Malia Hee in sabre after she tied for first and placed second by touches.
> The Owls had nine finalists at the 38th annual Temple Open. Freshmen Kari Weiner (foil) and Eva Hinds (sabre) both took second place in their first-ever meet as Owls.
> Sophomore Kennedy Lovelace was named the Under Armour OwlSports.com Athlete of the Month in February, and also earned Under Armour OwlSports.com Athlete of the Week recognition in March following the NCAA Championships. Sophomore Malia Hee also earned Athlete of the Week honors in March, while junior Blessing Olaode earned the honor in January.
> Lovelace went on to be named the Female Performer of the Year for all of Temple Athletics at the annual Stellas: A Celebration of Champions on April 30.
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Players Mentioned
Sabre
/ Women's Fencing
Sabre
/ Women's Fencing
Epee
/ Women's Fencing
Foil
/ Women's Fencing
Sabre
/ Women's Fencing
Sabre
/ Women's Fencing
Foil
/ Women's Fencing
Foil
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