Saturday, February 9
New Haven, Conn.
All Day
Columbia University
vs
Ivy League
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin
Fencing In Position for Ivy League Championships
2/6/2019 12:46:00 PM | Fencing
Ivy League Men's Fencing PreviewIvy League Women's Fencing PreviewLive ResultsIvy League Bout Schedule2018 Ivy League Championship RecapFencing RosterFencing Schedule
Columbia Men's and Women's Fencing hopes to repeat as Ivy League Champions this weekend.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Columbia fencing is set for this weekend's Ivy League Championships, hosted by Yale University. The Lions are defending outright champions in women's fencing, and defending co-champions in men's competition. The round-robin style tournament begins on Saturday at 10 a.m.
"The team and coaching staff is very excited. This is what it's about, the Ivy Leagues," head fencing coach Michael Aufrichtig said. "Every team is a contender and that's what we like about it. We are going to go out there and fence our best, and hope to walk away with two Ivy League Championships."
Last Year at Ivy's:
Last season, the women's squad dominated the competition, winning all six rounds of competition. Returning to the foil strip this year are Iman Blow, Sylvie Binder, Ester Schreiber and Quinn Crum, who all went a perfect 9-0 during last year's competition.
Binder also found herself on the top of the podium, winning the women's foil individual title with a 13-1 record in her first Ivy League Championship appearance. Iman Blow (foil) and Violet Michel (sabre) claimed the second place spot in individual competition for their respective weapons and were named first team All-Ivy. Ester Schreiber (foil) and Giana Vierheller (epee) received a second-team All-Ivy nod.
The men found themselves depending on a returning epee fencer, Mick Yamanaka, to help clinch the co-champions title along with Penn and Harvard. Yamanaka pulled out a 5-4 victory against Penn, forcing the three-way tie for the trophy. This was the fifth year in a row that the men finished in a tie.
Sidarth Kumbla (foil) and Nolen Scruggs (foil) were given first-team All-Ivy honors, while Calvin Liang (sabre) was named second team All-Ivy.
Lions vs. the Competition this Season:
This season the Lions have had mixed results against opposing Ivy competition. Columbia has already faced off against Yale, Penn and Harvard throughout regular season dual meets. This weekend will be the first time the entire women's squad will be competing together.
"We are looking forward to having the entire women's team competing together." Junior foilist, Giana Vierheller, said. "We are excited to show our prowess as a whole group. We are excited to even surpass the success we have had as an entire team last year."
Columbia has yet to face Cornell, Brown or Princeton this season. The Lions are hoping to capitalize on this season's success as well as championship experience as a squad to finish as outright Ivy League Champions for both men's and women's fencing this year.
Bout Results from this Season Against Ivy Opponents:
Vs. Yale- Men (L, 11-16) Women (W, 20-7)
Vs. Penn- Men (W, 20-7) Women (L, 12-15)
Vs. Harvard- Men (W, 14-13) Women (L, 13-14)
Saturday's Bout Schedule:
10 a.m.- Columbia vs. Brown
12 p.m.- Columbia vs. Harvard
2:45 p.m.- Columbia vs. Yale
4:45 p.m.- Columbia vs. Princeton
Sunday's Bout Schedule:
10 a.m.- Columbia vs. Cornell
2:45 p.m.- Columbia vs. Penn
5 p.m.- Awards Ceremony
A fan bus will leave the Courtyard Marriott in Orange, Connecticut. If interested in taking the fan bus, please contact Michael Aufrichtig.
"The team and coaching staff is very excited. This is what it's about, the Ivy Leagues," head fencing coach Michael Aufrichtig said. "Every team is a contender and that's what we like about it. We are going to go out there and fence our best, and hope to walk away with two Ivy League Championships."
Last Year at Ivy's:
Last season, the women's squad dominated the competition, winning all six rounds of competition. Returning to the foil strip this year are Iman Blow, Sylvie Binder, Ester Schreiber and Quinn Crum, who all went a perfect 9-0 during last year's competition.
Binder also found herself on the top of the podium, winning the women's foil individual title with a 13-1 record in her first Ivy League Championship appearance. Iman Blow (foil) and Violet Michel (sabre) claimed the second place spot in individual competition for their respective weapons and were named first team All-Ivy. Ester Schreiber (foil) and Giana Vierheller (epee) received a second-team All-Ivy nod.
The men found themselves depending on a returning epee fencer, Mick Yamanaka, to help clinch the co-champions title along with Penn and Harvard. Yamanaka pulled out a 5-4 victory against Penn, forcing the three-way tie for the trophy. This was the fifth year in a row that the men finished in a tie.
Sidarth Kumbla (foil) and Nolen Scruggs (foil) were given first-team All-Ivy honors, while Calvin Liang (sabre) was named second team All-Ivy.
Lions vs. the Competition this Season:
This season the Lions have had mixed results against opposing Ivy competition. Columbia has already faced off against Yale, Penn and Harvard throughout regular season dual meets. This weekend will be the first time the entire women's squad will be competing together.
"We are looking forward to having the entire women's team competing together." Junior foilist, Giana Vierheller, said. "We are excited to show our prowess as a whole group. We are excited to even surpass the success we have had as an entire team last year."
Columbia has yet to face Cornell, Brown or Princeton this season. The Lions are hoping to capitalize on this season's success as well as championship experience as a squad to finish as outright Ivy League Champions for both men's and women's fencing this year.
Bout Results from this Season Against Ivy Opponents:
Vs. Yale- Men (L, 11-16) Women (W, 20-7)
Vs. Penn- Men (W, 20-7) Women (L, 12-15)
Vs. Harvard- Men (W, 14-13) Women (L, 13-14)
Saturday's Bout Schedule:
10 a.m.- Columbia vs. Brown
12 p.m.- Columbia vs. Harvard
2:45 p.m.- Columbia vs. Yale
4:45 p.m.- Columbia vs. Princeton
Sunday's Bout Schedule:
10 a.m.- Columbia vs. Cornell
2:45 p.m.- Columbia vs. Penn
5 p.m.- Awards Ceremony
A fan bus will leave the Courtyard Marriott in Orange, Connecticut. If interested in taking the fan bus, please contact Michael Aufrichtig.
Players Mentioned
FOIL
/ Fencing
FOIL
/ Fencing
FOIL
/ Fencing
FOIL
/ Fencing
SABRE
/ Fencing
SABRE
/ Fencing
FOIL
/ Fencing
FOIL
/ Fencing
EPEE
/ Fencing
EPEE
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