Photo by: Columbia University Athletics
Fencing Names Team Captains
9/30/2021 9:36:00 AM | Fencing
James Bourtis, Nora Burke, Teddy Lombardo, Cedric Mecke, Natalie Minarik, Karolina Nixon, Brian Szeto, and Anika Tsapatsaris to serve as team captains for the 2021-22 campaign.
NEW YORK—Eight senior fencers—James Bourtis, Nora Burke, Teddy Lombardo, Cedric Mecke, Natalie Minarik, Karolina Nixon, Brian Szeto, and Anika Tsapatsaris—have been named team captains for the 2021-22 Columbia Fencing campaign, Head Coach Michael Aufrichtig announced on Thursday.
Three fencers will serve as team captains for their second straight year including Bourtis, Lombardo, and Tsapatsaris. Five of the team captains are returning All-Americans.
"Our captains will lead the largest fencing team in Columbia history," Aufrichtig said. "Their goal is to provide an environment where their teammates can do their best work. Their love and passion for Columbia Fencing will help them be the leaders we need to continue our standard of excellence."
Representing the Columbia women are Burke, Minarik, Nixon, and Tsapatsaris. The group has combined for three All-America honors and two All-Ivy League accolades. The men's team captains consisting of Bourtis, Lombardo, Mecke, and Szeto have earned two All-America honors and three All-Ivy League accolades.
Winners of three of the last five NCAA Championships that they have competed in, Columbia's 2021-22 team has much to prove as the Lions missed each of last two NCAA Championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Championship was canceled by the NCAA, while the 2020-21 season was canceled by the Ivy League Council of Presidents.
A complete 2021-22 schedule will be announced sometime in the next few days.
Three fencers will serve as team captains for their second straight year including Bourtis, Lombardo, and Tsapatsaris. Five of the team captains are returning All-Americans.
"Our captains will lead the largest fencing team in Columbia history," Aufrichtig said. "Their goal is to provide an environment where their teammates can do their best work. Their love and passion for Columbia Fencing will help them be the leaders we need to continue our standard of excellence."
Representing the Columbia women are Burke, Minarik, Nixon, and Tsapatsaris. The group has combined for three All-America honors and two All-Ivy League accolades. The men's team captains consisting of Bourtis, Lombardo, Mecke, and Szeto have earned two All-America honors and three All-Ivy League accolades.
Winners of three of the last five NCAA Championships that they have competed in, Columbia's 2021-22 team has much to prove as the Lions missed each of last two NCAA Championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Championship was canceled by the NCAA, while the 2020-21 season was canceled by the Ivy League Council of Presidents.
A complete 2021-22 schedule will be announced sometime in the next few days.
Players Mentioned
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