Temple University Athletics

Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Fencing Heads to NCAA Regional Meet on Saturday
3.10.17 | Women's Fencing
PHILADELPHIA - With the goal of having as many student-athletes advance to the NCAA Championships as possible, the sixth-ranked Temple fencing team competes Saturday, March 11 in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional at Lafayette College.Â
The Owls have the maximum 12 fencers competing, but all 15 team members met the NCAA criteria and were eligible for the meet.
"We definitely have the potential to send a strong group to the NCAA Championships, but it's all about what you do on that particular day," said Temple head coach Nikki Franke. "It's an extremely difficult tournament but I think we're well-prepared, especially after our strong finishes over the last two weekends. We've had such a tough schedule all season and I feel we're really peaking at the right time. I feel very positive in terms of how we've prepared for this tournament."
Representing the epee squad will be senior Alexandra Keft, junior Safa Ibrahim and sophomores Quinn Duwelius and Ally Micek.
The foil squad will be represented by senior Kristen Kemnitzer, sophomore Auset Muhammad and freshman Kennedy Lovelace.
For the sabre squad, senior Victoria Suber will compete along with sophomores Blessing Olaode and Jessica Rockford and freshmen Malia Hee and Kerry Plunkett.
In 2015-16, Temple was represented at the NCAA Championships by Ibrahim and three seniors who graduated after the season. Ibrahim is looking to make her third straight appearance at the national meet, while it would be a first-time berth for any other Owl who qualifies.
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 14.
At the NCAA Championships, each weapon field will consist of the top 24 fencers from across the nation. For the regional meet, the 36 fencers in each weapon will compete until 12 remain, and those 12 will battle in a round robin final.
Of the 43 teams Temple faced in dual meets during the 2016-17 season, 11 of them were ranked higher than the Owls in the national poll. With the strength of schedule factoring into the at-large bids, Temple's schedule will definitely work in its favor.
Live Results
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The Owls have the maximum 12 fencers competing, but all 15 team members met the NCAA criteria and were eligible for the meet.
"We definitely have the potential to send a strong group to the NCAA Championships, but it's all about what you do on that particular day," said Temple head coach Nikki Franke. "It's an extremely difficult tournament but I think we're well-prepared, especially after our strong finishes over the last two weekends. We've had such a tough schedule all season and I feel we're really peaking at the right time. I feel very positive in terms of how we've prepared for this tournament."
Representing the epee squad will be senior Alexandra Keft, junior Safa Ibrahim and sophomores Quinn Duwelius and Ally Micek.
The foil squad will be represented by senior Kristen Kemnitzer, sophomore Auset Muhammad and freshman Kennedy Lovelace.
For the sabre squad, senior Victoria Suber will compete along with sophomores Blessing Olaode and Jessica Rockford and freshmen Malia Hee and Kerry Plunkett.
In 2015-16, Temple was represented at the NCAA Championships by Ibrahim and three seniors who graduated after the season. Ibrahim is looking to make her third straight appearance at the national meet, while it would be a first-time berth for any other Owl who qualifies.
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 14.
At the NCAA Championships, each weapon field will consist of the top 24 fencers from across the nation. For the regional meet, the 36 fencers in each weapon will compete until 12 remain, and those 12 will battle in a round robin final.
Of the 43 teams Temple faced in dual meets during the 2016-17 season, 11 of them were ranked higher than the Owls in the national poll. With the strength of schedule factoring into the at-large bids, Temple's schedule will definitely work in its favor.
Live Results
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