Temple University Athletics
Ninth-Ranked Owls to Take Flight for Northwestern Invitational
2.22.07 | Women's Fencing
Feb. 22, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - The ninth-ranked Temple fencing team (17-4) and 35th-year head coach Nikki Franke are set to take flight for Evanston, Ill. and the Northwestern Invitational. The two-day event begins Saturday, February 24 and finishes Sunday, February 25.
The Cherry and White epee rotation, coached by third-year assistant Bradley Baker and while posting a 116-66 season mark, is led by the performance of freshman Kristin Howell and her 26-8 overall record. Juniors Marla Nacey (28-15), Brianna Ferrara (25-18) and sophomore Kaitlyn Uckert (23-15) have added to the Temple cause while sophomore Melissa Forsythe (14-10) has battled an injury of late.
Franke's foil line-up, led by freshman Meredith Bratton's 28 overall wins to just five losses, has posted a 156-57 record, thus far. Junior Samantha Myles has recorded a 25-7 overall record while freshman Abigail Schifferle has gone 23-8. Sophomores Sabrina Shapiro (23-7) and Nina Gernes, while also battling an injury, and freshmen Lauren Baker (17-14) and Melissa Parker (24-12) have also contributed to the Owls' foil attack.
The Temple sabre attack, boasting a 100-48 season mark, is led by the identical overall records of 28-12 from junior Kristine Jones and freshman Christine Griffith. Sophomore Ashlee Phillips (26-13) and freshman Sara Haase (20-11) have also been contributing threats to the Cherry and White sabre charges.
Following the Owls' two-day venture to Illinois, Franke and company will gear up for the NIWFA Championships on March 3 in Northampton, Mass. Start time for the championship event is 8:30 a.m.
