#10 Fencing Sending 12 Competitors to NCAA Regional on Saturday

Saturday, March 7

Durham, N.C.

All Day

Temple University

NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University

#10 Fencing Sending 12 Competitors to NCAA Regional on Saturday

3.6.15 | Women's Fencing

DURHAM, N.C. - Members of the 10th-ranked Temple fencing team are preparing to compete on Saturday, March 7 in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional hosted by Duke University, and the Owls will be represented by the maximum number of 12 fencers.

Temple's goal is always to have its entire roster eligible to compete, and the Owls did so yet again in 2014-15 with all 15 fencers qualifying. Ultimately only 12 can compete, four in each weapon.

"This is a very strong competition," said Temple head coach Nikki Franke. "We've been training for it all year and I think we're ready. The girls are very focused. They've been fencing well all season, and now they just have to do what they've been doing and we'll be in good shape."

The qualification for the NCAA Championship is based on a formula comprising a 60 percent weight on regional performance and 40 percent on regular-season meets. Regional champions for each weapon automatically advance, with remaining bids going to fencers based on performance and the region they compete in. The NCAA selections will be announced on March 10.

In Temple's region on the women's side, six will advance to the NCAA Championships for foil while epee and sabre will be represented by seven fencers each. Two at-large selections will be made that could come from any of the four regional meets.

"All of our fencers are seeded in the top half of their weapons," said Franke, "and they are all within striking distance of qualifying. It's a good position to be in."

The Owls are coming off a 19th-straight NIWFA Championship last weekend, where they also earned four NIWFA First Team selections as well as an All-Academic Team selection in sophomore Kristen Kemnitzer.

Freshman Safa Ibrahim and junior Jessica Hall were both named to the All-NIWFA First Team in epee, while freshman Mariah Slagle earned the honor in foil as did senior and team captain Lauren Rangel-Friedman in sabre.

Ibrahim and Rangel-Friedman were both champions in their respective events, while Slagle was runner-up.

Temple had four fencers advance to the 2014 NCAA Championships including two who could be repeat representatives this season. Junior Fatima Largaespada will be looking to make her third straight appearance in foil, while sophomore Rachael Clark will look to earn her second-straight trip in epee.

To follow live results of Saturday's regional meet, click HERE.