Sunday, March 24
Columbus, Ohio
Columbia
vs
NCAA Championships (Men Day 2)
Photo by: Ricky Bassman
Fencing Crowns Four More All-Americans; Lions Finish Third at NCAA Championships
3/24/2024 3:09:00 PM | Fencing
Kumbla’s first-team All-America honor highlights the conclusion of the 2023-24 season
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Four more Columbia fencers earned All-America honors as the Lions wrapped up the 2024 NCAA Fencing Championships with a third-place finish. First-year Sam Kumbla made it to the semifinals in foil to earn first-team recognition. Juniors Zachary Binder (foil) and Justin Haddad (epee) achieved second-team status and senior Jackson McBride (sabre) was an honorable mention selection.
Columbia finished with 149 points as a team. Harvard earned the National Championship with 169 points, followed by Notre Dame with 161. Overall, nine of the Lions' 11 qualifiers picked up All-America status.
"We knew it was going to be a challenge to compete for the team title with just 11 qualifiers, but we showed a lot of resolve and fought until the end," head coach Michael Aufrichtig said. "The first-team honor for Sam is a great way to cap a phenomenal rookie year at Columbia. Zach and Justin were unbelievable, and I don't think anyone would have wanted to see them in the semis the way they fenced today. I'm really proud of Jackson for battling and securing that top-12 position. Skyler didn't have his best day on Sunday, but he will learn from this experience and will continue to be a big part of our team next season."
Kumbla charged to the semifinals by winning 7-of-8 bouts during the morning to secure the No. 3 seed. Binder also made a late push to join Kumbla, going 4-0 in stage five, but fell one win short of securing the last spot.
The world's No. 1 junior foilist took on Penn's Blake Broszus in the round of four. The dual started back-and-forth before Broszus jumped out to a 10-6 lead and went on for the 15-8 victory
McBride's three victories during the morning rounds secured 12th place, grabbing the first All-America spot of the day for the Lions in sabre. Epee was next to wrap up, which saw Haddad post a 6-2 mark to surge all the way up to fifth place, just one shy of moving on to the afternoon bouts.
For the latest on Columbia's fencing programs, follow @CULionsFencing on Twitter and Instagram and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
FINAL INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS
Men's Epee
5. Justin Haddad (16-7, +13 Ind.)
15. Skyler Liverant (10-13, -5 Ind.)
Men's Foil
T3. Sam Kumbla (16-7, +26 Ind.)
5. Zachary Binder (15-8, +25 Ind.)
Men's Sabre
12. Jackson McBride (11-12, -6 Ind.)
Columbia finished with 149 points as a team. Harvard earned the National Championship with 169 points, followed by Notre Dame with 161. Overall, nine of the Lions' 11 qualifiers picked up All-America status.
"We knew it was going to be a challenge to compete for the team title with just 11 qualifiers, but we showed a lot of resolve and fought until the end," head coach Michael Aufrichtig said. "The first-team honor for Sam is a great way to cap a phenomenal rookie year at Columbia. Zach and Justin were unbelievable, and I don't think anyone would have wanted to see them in the semis the way they fenced today. I'm really proud of Jackson for battling and securing that top-12 position. Skyler didn't have his best day on Sunday, but he will learn from this experience and will continue to be a big part of our team next season."
Kumbla charged to the semifinals by winning 7-of-8 bouts during the morning to secure the No. 3 seed. Binder also made a late push to join Kumbla, going 4-0 in stage five, but fell one win short of securing the last spot.
The world's No. 1 junior foilist took on Penn's Blake Broszus in the round of four. The dual started back-and-forth before Broszus jumped out to a 10-6 lead and went on for the 15-8 victory
McBride's three victories during the morning rounds secured 12th place, grabbing the first All-America spot of the day for the Lions in sabre. Epee was next to wrap up, which saw Haddad post a 6-2 mark to surge all the way up to fifth place, just one shy of moving on to the afternoon bouts.
For the latest on Columbia's fencing programs, follow @CULionsFencing on Twitter and Instagram and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
FINAL INDIVIDUAL STANDINGS
Men's Epee
5. Justin Haddad (16-7, +13 Ind.)
15. Skyler Liverant (10-13, -5 Ind.)
Men's Foil
T3. Sam Kumbla (16-7, +26 Ind.)
5. Zachary Binder (15-8, +25 Ind.)
Men's Sabre
12. Jackson McBride (11-12, -6 Ind.)
Players Mentioned
FOIL
/ Fencing
EPEE
/ Fencing
FOIL
/ Fencing
EPEE
/ Fencing
SABRE
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