Temple University Athletics
Temple University
34th Annual TEMPLE OPEN
Fencing Set for 34th Annual Temple Open on Saturday and Sunday at McGonigle Hall
10.23.13 | Women's Fencing
Temple Open Schedule l 34th Annual Temple Fencing Open Program (PDF) l Head Coach Nikki Franke (video)
PHILADELPHIA - On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26-27, Temple's fencing team will host the 34th Annual Temple Open in Pearson-McGonigle Hall. The two-day individual collegiate fencing meet is the largest of its kind in the nation, and representatives from over 30 colleges and universities will be competing.
"There will be almost 600 fencers here," said Temple head coach Nikki Franke, now in her 42nd season. "We'll really have a chance to see how our girls are doing and it's a great start to our season."
Prior to the Temple Open, which was first held in 1979, there used to be a meet at Cornell every year. When the coach there at the time left, Cornell stopped hosting it. There was a real need for a preseason tournament, so Coach Franke organized and started it at Temple. National contenders Penn and Penn State, along with North Carolina-Chapel Hill and New York University will be among those competing at this weekend's meet.
Fencing action on Saturday will feature women's foil, epee and sabre. Weapons check begins at 7:00 a.m. for women's foil, with competition beginning shortly after. On Sunday, the men's competition begins with weapons check for epee at 7:00 a.m.
Admission is free, and the action will last all day long. Temple is coming off its second straight year finishing 10th among women's teams at the NCAA Championships, and the Owls will be competing against all other nine teams in the Top 10 this season.
2013-14 FENCING SEASON OUTLOOK
Since its inception back in 1972, the Temple women's fencing program has carried a strong tradition of success. That success has been on prominent display in the last two seasons, which have both seen legendary head coach Nikki Franke guide the Owls to a No. 10 ranking in the final national poll. In 2012-13, Franke led the program to a record of 22-8 and the Owls also captured the National Intercollegiate Women's Fencing Association Championship for the 17th consecutive year.
With five returning seniors on this year's team, Temple's leadership is strong. The team's overall captain is senior Tasia Ford, who is also repeating as the sabre squad leader. The epee squad leader is senior Chantal Montrose, also voted to the position for a second time after being squad leader two years ago. Senior Epiphany Georges, one of four Owls to represent Temple at the 2013 NCAA Championships, is the foil squad leader.
"We expect everyone to be accountable and responsible," said Franke, "but in terms of leadership we really look to our upperclassmen to provide the guidance for the underclassmen. The ultimate responsibility falls to our squad leaders and to our team captain, who we always depend on."
Ford leads a group of six on the sabre squad, and is one of five who return after qualifying for the NCAA Regionals last year. Junior Tiki Kastor was Temple's top fencer at the NCAA Championships in just her sophomore season, finishing 14th overall in sabre at last year's championships.
"The sabre squad is our most experienced squad this year having only one freshman," said assistant coach Anastasia Ferdman. "They're a very strong squad, so we'll be depending a lot on them to execute this year. They're very well-balanced."
The six members of the epee squad will be led by Montrose, who was one of four to qualify for regionals last year. Three of those fencers return, including senior Kimberly Howell who represented the Owls at the NCAA Championships.
"The epee squad is young, with half of them being newcomers," said Ferdman. "I'm excited to see how the freshmen are going to deal with the transition, and how they are going to compete. With Chantal being the squad leader for a second time, I trust her to lead and be a good role model."
The foil squad returns two fencers who competed in last year's NCAA Championships- squad leader Epiphany Georges and sophomore Fatima Largaespada. The two placed 18th and 20th, respectively, in the nation.
"The foil squad, like our sabre squad, is an experienced one with just two freshmen," said Franke. "I'm excited to see how they grow individually and together this year, and how much they'll help each other and push each other to be the very best they can be.
There is also an excitement factor in the unknown, as one-third of the 18-member squad is made up of true freshmen.
"We have a strong freshman class. We're very pleased with the experience they bring. They are definitely going to contribute to our success in many ways. The challenge for them is making the transition from high school or club fencing to collegiate fencing and getting used to what that's all about, as well as getting used to college in general. It's always an adjustment period, but they've come in with a great attitude and they're very enthusiastic and working hard. As coaches, that's all we can ask for."
While the team continues to compete at an elite level year after year, Franke says there is always more to strive for.
"One of our team goals is to get everyone qualified for NCAA Regionals, which we did last year," she said, "and another is to get the maximum number of fencers to the NCAA Tournament, which is very difficult. Last year we had four girls go. We always keep raising the bar and we want better and better things to happen. We want to improve on our record, and our ranking. The highest ranking we achieved last year was ninth, and our goal is to be ranked in the top five."
As it always does, the Temple Open will serve as a warm-up meet of sorts for the Owls, who won't start team competition until December 8 at Sacred Heart. The schedule is packed with top competition, and Franke says they wouldn't have it any other way.
"We have our normal rivalries," she said, "with Penn, Penn State and Northwestern. This year we're fencing all nine of the other top 10 teams from the end of last season. We have a very strong schedule and it's going to be very challenging, especially with so many freshmen. Having strong competition is how we see where we are and what we need to work on. We look forward to that. We don't shy away from competition."
The Temple Open, which is the largest individual collegiate meet of its kind in the nation, gives the Owls a chance to see where they are early in the competition season. "This meet really give us— the coaches and the fencers— an idea of where we are, what we need to work on and what we need to accomplish before we have our first dual meet, Franke said. "It's nice to be able to get some competitive fencing under our belt before that first collegiate meet."
