Temple University Athletics
Women's Fencing Finishes Eighth at NCAA Championship
3.22.09 | Women's Fencing
March 22, 2009
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - The Temple women's fencing team placed eighth among women's fencing teams (13th overall, combining the men's and women's results) at the final day of the NCAA National Championships on Sunday in competition held at Penn State University.
Five out of a maximum of six Owls qualified in their respective weapons. Juniors Melissa Parker (foil) and Kristin Howell (epee) led the way, each placing 10th. Sophomore Grace Wu (epee) placed 15th, improving on her 19th place performance last year as a freshman. Freshman Kamali Thompson (sabre) and sophomore Audrey Barroso (sabre) each made their Championship debut, placing 16th and 18th respectively.
"This was a tremendous year for Temple Fencing. We could not have asked for a more committed, dedicated group of young ladies to work with," said head coach Nikki Franke. "Our accomplishments are a direct result of their hard work. This year's field at the NCAAs was one of the strongest we have had in recent memory, including five Beijing Olympians and over a dozen current or former Junior World Team members. I was very proud of how well our fencers competed in this tough field."
For Parker, 2009 marked her third All-American honor, earning Honorable Mention in 2007 and 2009 and Second Team in 2008. Howell repeated as an Honorable Mention All-American. Earning that honor in 2008 and 2009, she remains the only women's epeeist in Temple history to be named an All-American.
"This was a great performance for our team in what was the strongest field in quite some time," said assistant coach Bradley Baker. "We fenced well throughout two days of intense competition and the results reflect that effort."
The overall title, which combines men's and women's results, was won by host Penn State. Notre Dame took second and Ohio State finished third. Nittany Lion fencers additionally claimed four of the six individual crowns.
In a grueling format, the tournament involves each fencer competing against all 23 other fencers in her weapon over a two-day span. Howell led the Owls with a 13-10 record, while Parker recorded a 12-12 result. Wu (9-14), Thompson (8-15), and Barroso (7-16) also picked up a number of key wins against some of the top finishers.
The 49 total wins and 8th place finish mark Temple's best result since 2001 (52 wins, 7th place).
