In one of the most stunning upsets in NCAA fencing history, Columbia captured its second consecutive combined national championship by the slimmest of margins in 1993.
Despite being the defending NCAA Champions and winning both the men’s and women’s Ivy League crowns weeks earlier, the Lions were not the favorites to repeat in 1993. That moniker went to rivals Penn State, who finished second to the Lions a year prior.
The Nittany Lions had a seemingly insurmountable lead heading into the men’s sabre portion of the event when Columbia began to rally.
First-year Ray Wong broke a pair of ties against Penn and Penn State to lead the sabre squad to key wins to close the gap to 300 points.
Still, the Lions needed help - and got it - from none other than the Penn Quakers, who knocked off Penn State in men’s epee to open the door for Columbia to remain in the hunt.
As Captain Ann Marsh told the Columbia Spectator after the event, “Reports of our death were greatly exaggerated.”
The Lions then showed a flair for the dramatic, coming from behind on seven occasions, including the clincher from junior Ben Scott, who was down 4-2 but rattled off the final three touches to give Columbia the lead for good by 25 points - the minimum differential during that format of the NCAA Championships.
Individually, Ben Atkins won the national title in epee, becoming just the second fencer to win NCAA crowns in two different weapons in his career after taking first in foil two years prior. Marsh also shined at NCAA’s, earning a bronze medal to claim All-America honors for the third time. Also picking up All-America accolades were Dan Charlick, Marc Paves, Steve Kovacs and Herby Raynoud after standout performances.
