Sunday, February 11
New York, N.Y.
10:00 A.M.
Columbia University
vs
Yale (Women)
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Lem Photography
Fencing Earns Men's & Women's Ivy League Titles
2/11/2024 7:03:00 PM | Fencing
Both teams earned a three-way tie; Sam Kumbla wins individual men’s foil crown
NEW YORK — Columbia fencing is back on top of the Ivy League after winning the men's and women's titles in Levien Gymnasium Sunday. Both squads finished in a three-way tie after another thrilling day of competition. The women share the trophy with Penn and Princeton at 5-1, while the men finished 4-1, which matched Harvard and Princeton.
The double victories mark the fifth time the Lions have won both men's and women's events since 2015 and 12th time overall.
Sam Kumbla picked up the individual championship in men's foil after a 10-2 record over the two days in his Ivy League Championship debut. In total, the Lions saw seven earn All-Ivy League honors. First-year Rachael Kim (women's foil) and sophomore Skyler Liverant (men's epee) joined Kumbla with first team accolades. Three sophomores Tamar Gordon (women's sabre), Evelyn Cheng (women's foil) and Bogdan Hamilton (men's foil) along with first-year Jaden Callahan (men's sabre) were named to the second team.
The women took care of business in the morning round, jumping out to a big lead early over Yale and never looked back in a 20-7 victory. During the Lions' bye, they received the help they needed to stay in the title hunt.
Penn came away with a 14-13 win over Princeton to put Columbia, the Quakers and Tigers in a three-way tie at 4-1 heading into the final round. The Lions last opponent was a Harvard squad that was down fencers in sabre and foil, but Columbia had to fight nearly to the end to seal the deal.
The Crimson pulled within 11-8 (while accounting for six forfeits in the two weapons) before the Lions put things away. Mina Yamanaka's triumph in the final round of epee clinched the championship as Columbia celebrated its 14th Ivy League Championships and first since 2020.
The men's share was nowhere near as dramatic, as they coasted to a 19-8 victory over Yale in Columbia's first round of the afternoon. Justin Haddad served as the closer in epee to secure the Lions' 41st Ivy League Championship and eighth in the last 10 years.
Columbia aimed to keep the trophy all to itself, however Princeton had other plans. The Lions jumped out to a quick 6-0 advantage before the Tigers clawed their way back into things with a strong second run through the lineup to knot things up at 8-8. Wins in sabre and epee put Columbia back in front 12-10, but it could not put Princeton away as the Tigers rattled off the final four bout wins to force the three-way tie.
The Lions wrap up the regular season Wednesday, February 14 at the George Kolombatovich Historical Meet, hosted by NYU. Columbia begins the tri-meet against the Violets at 5:15 p.m., followed by matchups with Sacred Heart and Vassar.
For the latest on Columbia's fencing programs, follow @CULionsFencing on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
IVY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY TWO RESULTS
Women
Columbia 20, Yale 17
Columbia 16, Harvard 11
Men
Columbia 19, Yale 8
Columbia 12, Princeton 15
The double victories mark the fifth time the Lions have won both men's and women's events since 2015 and 12th time overall.
Sam Kumbla picked up the individual championship in men's foil after a 10-2 record over the two days in his Ivy League Championship debut. In total, the Lions saw seven earn All-Ivy League honors. First-year Rachael Kim (women's foil) and sophomore Skyler Liverant (men's epee) joined Kumbla with first team accolades. Three sophomores Tamar Gordon (women's sabre), Evelyn Cheng (women's foil) and Bogdan Hamilton (men's foil) along with first-year Jaden Callahan (men's sabre) were named to the second team.
The women took care of business in the morning round, jumping out to a big lead early over Yale and never looked back in a 20-7 victory. During the Lions' bye, they received the help they needed to stay in the title hunt.
Penn came away with a 14-13 win over Princeton to put Columbia, the Quakers and Tigers in a three-way tie at 4-1 heading into the final round. The Lions last opponent was a Harvard squad that was down fencers in sabre and foil, but Columbia had to fight nearly to the end to seal the deal.
The Crimson pulled within 11-8 (while accounting for six forfeits in the two weapons) before the Lions put things away. Mina Yamanaka's triumph in the final round of epee clinched the championship as Columbia celebrated its 14th Ivy League Championships and first since 2020.
The men's share was nowhere near as dramatic, as they coasted to a 19-8 victory over Yale in Columbia's first round of the afternoon. Justin Haddad served as the closer in epee to secure the Lions' 41st Ivy League Championship and eighth in the last 10 years.
Columbia aimed to keep the trophy all to itself, however Princeton had other plans. The Lions jumped out to a quick 6-0 advantage before the Tigers clawed their way back into things with a strong second run through the lineup to knot things up at 8-8. Wins in sabre and epee put Columbia back in front 12-10, but it could not put Princeton away as the Tigers rattled off the final four bout wins to force the three-way tie.
The Lions wrap up the regular season Wednesday, February 14 at the George Kolombatovich Historical Meet, hosted by NYU. Columbia begins the tri-meet against the Violets at 5:15 p.m., followed by matchups with Sacred Heart and Vassar.
For the latest on Columbia's fencing programs, follow @CULionsFencing on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
IVY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY TWO RESULTS
Women
Columbia 20, Yale 17
Columbia 16, Harvard 11
Men
Columbia 19, Yale 8
Columbia 12, Princeton 15
Players Mentioned
SABRE
/ Fencing
FOIL
/ Fencing
SABRE
/ Fencing
EPEE
/ Fencing
FOIL
/ Fencing
FOIL
/ Fencing
FOIL
/ Fencing
EPEE
/ Fencing
EPEE
/ FencingInterview: FENCE | Anne Cebula & Jackie Dubrovich Headed Paris Olympics
Wednesday, July 24
Interview: FENCE | Bogdan Hamilton Previews Paris Olympics
Tuesday, July 23
Highlight: FENCE | Oxenreider Clinches NCAA Finals Berth
Friday, March 22
Highlight: FENCE | Burke Wins National Sabre Championship
Sunday, March 26
