Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Grace Sherlock
Chasing Greatness: Anna Novoseltseva’s Path to Four NCAA Championships Appearances
3.20.25 | Women's Fencing
Senior foilist Anna Novoseltseva will be competing in her fourth consecutive National Collegiate Fencing Championships this weekend. Before heading to University Park to represent the Owls, Novoseltseva spoke on her experiences growing up in fencing, her hopes for the competition, and what Temple Fencing has meant to her.
When did you start fencing? Did you always know it was the sport for you?
"I started fencing when I was five years old with my sister. When I started I was really interested and had a passion for it right away, and always had that competitiveness growing up so it was the perfect sport for me."
What was it like growing up in fencing? One would assume it was a lot of travel, and a lot to balance. How did you manage that balance?
"It was definitely tough, also tough for my parents to be able to travel with my sister and I everywhere. I also had to make sure that I had the school and sports balance, so I had to be able to talk to my teachers because I would be traveling every single month to a different state. Then at some point I even traveled out of the country which is a really unique experience. I think I started getting used to it over time since I started traveling when I was around eight years old. Over time it became easier, and I learned how to take on that balance as I went on."
Your sister Elizabeth joined the team a year prior to you. How much of an impact did she have on you choosing Temple?
"She had a very large impact. I was looking at other schools, but just looking at the team dynamic and how well she was doing, how the coaches were training her, I felt like it was the perfect school for me. I feel like her and I being there together could benefit the both of us, and it did. We were there to support each other throughout all these years, so I think I definitely made the right decision, and I'll never regret it."
Let's talk about this season. A 53-14 record in dual meets which is a 79% winning percentage, the highest of your career. 30 wins for the foil squad, and the highest winning percentage since the 2017-18 season. What went right for you this year, and also for the group as a whole?
"Individually, I think the biggest thing I learned to do was to be patient in my fencing and patient with myself. I think previous years I pushed myself to a point where it maybe negatively affected me. This season, I took the time, did some mental training with Dr. (Stephanie) Coakley, and our coaches also worked patiently with me to get my fencing to a point where I was able to make smart decisions. As a foil squad, we had three people leave from last year, so we had to figure out how to help each other on the strip. We had many discussions to see what we like as a team and worked together to pick out components in our fencing that we could work on. As a five-person squad, I think we did as well as we could have done because we work so well together."
There's a specific bout against UC San Diego where your bout was for the overall team match. And you went down 2-4, gave three straight touches and won the bout. What is it about you that allows you to have that comeback capability? It's easy to say, but do you truly feel like you are never out of a bout?
"In the past during those moments I would freak out and tend to lose those bouts. This season, instead of freaking out I think it through and ground myself, and that's helped me a lot. In that bout, I knew I was still in it. I had to calm myself down and think about things I've done in practice. Also having my team behind me and the discipline really helped me lock in and win."
It's your fourth time at NCAAs. You have a 22nd, 21st, and 15th place finish at the event. What's your mindset going into this weekend?
"Going into this weekend I don't want to put too much pressure on myself, just like I haven't put pressure on myself this season. Because it's my last season I want to have fun, but I also want to be able to keep the same strong mindset and patience I've had throughout the season. My goal is to be an All-American, I was one point from achieving it last year. I think with all the experience I've gained from this season I can do that, but it is going to take a lot of work."
More into that, everyone at NCAAs is a top fencer in the country. And just like regionals, it's a long competition. But more than just the physical element, what does the mental battle look like when you know it's going to be tough competition one bout after another.
"It's going to be really, really tough. I just have to be able to tell myself that I'm still in it even if I'm up or down. I've had many of those moments this season where I'm down and I've brought myself back up. Just keeping that mindset and not underestimating anyone is the biggest thing I've learned in my fencing career. That's what Coach [Nikki] Franke always said, Coach Jennie [Salmon] always says, to not underestimate anybody. And I don't change my fencing when it varies from person to person. I keep the same mindset, whether it's the top seed in the country or the last seed in the country."
What does your plan look like after graduation? Is fencing still going to be a big part of your life?
"I'm still thinking about that. I'll be going to the April North American Cup in Los Angeles because I wanted one last hoorah as a collegiate fencer. I think fencing is always going to be a part of my life. I'm moving to North Carolina after graduation, so I think I'm going to find a club there just to have fun. When I'm having a rough week, I can go and fence and do something I genuinely love. And maybe in the future I'll be some sort of coach. I couldn't throw fencing away after all of this. I might take a break then come back to it honestly."
Final question. What does Temple Fencing mean to you?
"That's a hard question. It definitely means the world to me. Coming into Temple I didn't know what I was capable of. Temple Fencing has brought me so many opportunities and I've achieved so many things I never thought I could achieve. I'm really thankful to have such a huge support system with coaches, family, especially the team. It means the world to me, and I never thought I could be in this position."
For complete coverage of Temple fencing, follow the Owls on social media @TempleFencing (Twitter), facebook.com/TempleFencing (Facebook), @templefencing (Instagram), or visit the official home of Temple University Athletics at owlsports.com. Please consider supporting Temple Fencing with a donation by clicking here -> https://bit.ly/4cgtfHD
When did you start fencing? Did you always know it was the sport for you?
"I started fencing when I was five years old with my sister. When I started I was really interested and had a passion for it right away, and always had that competitiveness growing up so it was the perfect sport for me."
What was it like growing up in fencing? One would assume it was a lot of travel, and a lot to balance. How did you manage that balance?
"It was definitely tough, also tough for my parents to be able to travel with my sister and I everywhere. I also had to make sure that I had the school and sports balance, so I had to be able to talk to my teachers because I would be traveling every single month to a different state. Then at some point I even traveled out of the country which is a really unique experience. I think I started getting used to it over time since I started traveling when I was around eight years old. Over time it became easier, and I learned how to take on that balance as I went on."
Your sister Elizabeth joined the team a year prior to you. How much of an impact did she have on you choosing Temple?
"She had a very large impact. I was looking at other schools, but just looking at the team dynamic and how well she was doing, how the coaches were training her, I felt like it was the perfect school for me. I feel like her and I being there together could benefit the both of us, and it did. We were there to support each other throughout all these years, so I think I definitely made the right decision, and I'll never regret it."
Let's talk about this season. A 53-14 record in dual meets which is a 79% winning percentage, the highest of your career. 30 wins for the foil squad, and the highest winning percentage since the 2017-18 season. What went right for you this year, and also for the group as a whole?
"Individually, I think the biggest thing I learned to do was to be patient in my fencing and patient with myself. I think previous years I pushed myself to a point where it maybe negatively affected me. This season, I took the time, did some mental training with Dr. (Stephanie) Coakley, and our coaches also worked patiently with me to get my fencing to a point where I was able to make smart decisions. As a foil squad, we had three people leave from last year, so we had to figure out how to help each other on the strip. We had many discussions to see what we like as a team and worked together to pick out components in our fencing that we could work on. As a five-person squad, I think we did as well as we could have done because we work so well together."
There's a specific bout against UC San Diego where your bout was for the overall team match. And you went down 2-4, gave three straight touches and won the bout. What is it about you that allows you to have that comeback capability? It's easy to say, but do you truly feel like you are never out of a bout?
"In the past during those moments I would freak out and tend to lose those bouts. This season, instead of freaking out I think it through and ground myself, and that's helped me a lot. In that bout, I knew I was still in it. I had to calm myself down and think about things I've done in practice. Also having my team behind me and the discipline really helped me lock in and win."
It's your fourth time at NCAAs. You have a 22nd, 21st, and 15th place finish at the event. What's your mindset going into this weekend?
"Going into this weekend I don't want to put too much pressure on myself, just like I haven't put pressure on myself this season. Because it's my last season I want to have fun, but I also want to be able to keep the same strong mindset and patience I've had throughout the season. My goal is to be an All-American, I was one point from achieving it last year. I think with all the experience I've gained from this season I can do that, but it is going to take a lot of work."
More into that, everyone at NCAAs is a top fencer in the country. And just like regionals, it's a long competition. But more than just the physical element, what does the mental battle look like when you know it's going to be tough competition one bout after another.
"It's going to be really, really tough. I just have to be able to tell myself that I'm still in it even if I'm up or down. I've had many of those moments this season where I'm down and I've brought myself back up. Just keeping that mindset and not underestimating anyone is the biggest thing I've learned in my fencing career. That's what Coach [Nikki] Franke always said, Coach Jennie [Salmon] always says, to not underestimate anybody. And I don't change my fencing when it varies from person to person. I keep the same mindset, whether it's the top seed in the country or the last seed in the country."
What does your plan look like after graduation? Is fencing still going to be a big part of your life?
"I'm still thinking about that. I'll be going to the April North American Cup in Los Angeles because I wanted one last hoorah as a collegiate fencer. I think fencing is always going to be a part of my life. I'm moving to North Carolina after graduation, so I think I'm going to find a club there just to have fun. When I'm having a rough week, I can go and fence and do something I genuinely love. And maybe in the future I'll be some sort of coach. I couldn't throw fencing away after all of this. I might take a break then come back to it honestly."
Final question. What does Temple Fencing mean to you?
"That's a hard question. It definitely means the world to me. Coming into Temple I didn't know what I was capable of. Temple Fencing has brought me so many opportunities and I've achieved so many things I never thought I could achieve. I'm really thankful to have such a huge support system with coaches, family, especially the team. It means the world to me, and I never thought I could be in this position."
For complete coverage of Temple fencing, follow the Owls on social media @TempleFencing (Twitter), facebook.com/TempleFencing (Facebook), @templefencing (Instagram), or visit the official home of Temple University Athletics at owlsports.com. Please consider supporting Temple Fencing with a donation by clicking here -> https://bit.ly/4cgtfHD
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