Fencing Brings On Nine for 2024-25
9/3/2024 9:50:00 AM | Fencing
The Lions will add seven women and two men to the fold
NEW YORK - Columbia Fencing will welcome nine incoming student-athletes ahead of the 2024-25 season, head coach Michael Aufrichtig announced today. The defending Ivy League Champions, on both the men's and women's sides, includes seven women and two men.
The Class of 2028, which features four sabrists, four epeeists and one foilist, hails from seven states and two internationals (China and the Philippines).
"We are thrilled to welcome our incoming class of champions," said the Lions' head coach. "I am excited they will have the opportunity to be part of our accomplished, experienced team of returners and confident they will bring what the team needs to be at our best."
Details on the Lions' 2024 newcomers are below. The complete 2024-24 Columbia fencing roster can be found by clicking here.
WOMEN
Janna Freedman
First-Year • Sabre • CC
Los Angeles, Calif. • Palos Verdes Peninsula
PRE-COLUMBIA: Three-time World Cup Team Champion with U.S. sabre squad … Placed second at 2023 Cadet World Cup in France … Cadet National Champion in 2022 … Took fifth at Division I Championship in Charlotte … Division I Team Nation Champion in 2023 … USFA All-American First Team 2019-2024.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School … AP Scholar with Distinction … USFA Academic First Team 2019-2024.
PERSONAL: Born March 7, 2006 … Daughter of Angelina Greve and Alan Freedman … Has two siblings, Myles and Viktor … Published artist in art anthologies … Chose Columbia of the team spirit and environment.… Enrolled at Columbia College.
Sophia Jakel
First-Year • Epee • SEAS
Bethesda, Md. • Walt Whitman
PRE-COLUMBIA: Gold medalist at 2022 Grenoble Cadet World Cup in team and individual competitions … Placed first in team event at 2024 Pan American Games in Brazil … Took third place in Division I at January 2024 NAC … Earned sixth-place finish in juniors at 2023 Summer Nationals.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Walt Whitman High School … Distinguished AP Scholar Award.
PERSONAL: Born March 12, 2006 in Washington, D.C. … Daughter of Yanina Kravtsova and Kevin Jakel … Has one sibling, Alysa … Speaks Russian, Italian and Spanish … Chose Columbia because it's close to some of the best fencing clubs in New York and offered an amazing engineering program … Enrolled at Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Sumin Lee
First-Year • Epee • CC
Las Vegas, Nev. • West Career & Technical Academy
PRE-COLUMBIA: Took third place in Division I Epee at 2024 April NAC and National Championships … Placed third in juniors at Junior Olympics in 2023 … Gold medalist as a cadet at 2022 Junior Olympics … Claimed first at October 2021 NAC in cadet … USA Fencing All-American First Team 2020-2023.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of West Career and Technical Academy in Las Vegas … USA Fencing All-Academic First Team 2020-2023 … AP Scholar … President's Volunteer Service Award Silver Medalist.
PERSONAL: Born April 19, 2005 in South Korea … Daughter of Hyangsuk Kim and Sangyup Lee … Has one sibling, Inwoo … Father, Sangyup is a three-time Olympic fencer from South Korea … Family moved to United States in 2015 … Chose Columbia because "it was my dream school, and I believe that this institution will provide me with an opportunity to improve as a fencer while pursuing my academic interests" … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Veronica Mika
First-Year • Sabre • CC
Basking Ridge, N.J. • Ridge
PRE-COLUMBIA: Finished in top eight at January 2024 NAC and November 2023 NAC (juniors) … Division I Team National Champions at April 2024 NAC … Took Silver in team event at 2024 Junior Olympics … Placed seventh at November 2023 NAC (juniors) … Earned silver medal in team competition at Junior World Cup in Madrid in 2023 … FInished seventh at 2022 Junior Olympics … Earned second Cadet World Cup in Romania in 2022.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Ridge High School … Competed on varsity fencing team for two years.
PERSONAL: Born August 15, 2006 … Daughter of Agnieszka and Rafal Mika … Has one sibling, Casper, who fences at North Carolina … Chose Columbia for team environment as well as what the school offers in regards to fencing and education … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Carolina Stutchbury
First-Year • Foil • School • CC
Atlanta, Ga. • Stanford Online High School
INTERNATIONAL FENCING BIO
PRE-COLUMBIA: Bronze medalist at Cadet European Championships for Great Britain … Also took bronze at 2024 Senior European Championships … Earned bronze at the 2022 Junior World Championships … Two-time Junior European Championships gold medalist … Claimed silver at the 2022 Cadet World Championships.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Stanford Online High School.
PERSONAL: Born October 23, 2005 in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England … Daughter of Joanna and Martin Stutchbury … Has one sibling, Peter … Chose Columbia because of the balance between school and fencing and how inviting the team was … Speaks Polish … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Claire Wang
First-Year • Epee • BC
Beijing, China • Dulwich College
PRE-COLUMBIA: China Northern Regional Tournament 17+ Individual Silver Medalist in 2023 … Beijing Fencing Association competition 17+ Team Gold Medalist in 2021 and 2022 … Hubei Provincial Tournament U16 Individual Silver Medalist in 2021… Beijing International School Fencing Tournament U16 Individual Bronze Medalist in 2021 … China National Northern Region Fencing Competition U14 Team Gold Medalist in 2019 … Beijing Middle-School Fencing Competition U14 Individual Gold Medalist in 2018.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Dulwich College Beijing, a British International School based in Beijing … Also played basketball and volleyball.
PERSONAL: Born October 18, 2005 … Daughter of Christine Xing and Jackson Wang … Has one sibling, Catherine … Chose Columbia after seeing the cohesive team spirit and the esteemed fencing tradition … Enrolled at Barnard College.
Meagan Yao Co Say
First-Year • Sabre • CC
Quezon City, Philippines • Everest Academy
PRE-COLUMBIA: Member of Philippines Senior National Team (2024) and Junior National Team (2021-Present) … Ranked No. 1 Junior in Philippines (2022-Present), No. 1 Cadet (2021-2023) … Won Junior Individual Bronze and Junior Team Gold at 2024 Southeast Asian Fencing Federation Championships (SEAFF) … Earned Cadet Individual Gold and Junior Team Gold at 2023 Southeast Asian fencing Federation.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Everest International Academy in the Philippines … Class valedictorian and AP Scholar with Distinction.
PERSONAL: Born April 4, 2006 … Daughter of Maye Tang Yo and Vinson Co Say … Has one sibling, Marcus … Wrote children's activity book about voter education … Began fencing at age 12 … Plays drums and sings … Enrolled at Columbia College.
MEN
Luka Loncar
First-Year • Epee • CC
Cambridge, Mass. • Boston University Academy
PRE-COLUMBIA: Took first place at the 2022 Bratislava Cadet Team event, representing the United States … Earned individual gold medals at Cadet World Cups in Bratislava and Grenoble… Placed third at Junior Nationals in Minneapolis… Claimed third at Salt Lake City Junior Olympics.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Boston University Academy … Competed three years on varsity fencing team.
PERSONAL: Born August 25, 2006 … Son of Evelyn Encinas-Loncar and Marko Loncar … Has one sibling, Autumn, who attends grad school at Columbia … Father is a professor at Harvard … Chose Columbia because of the fantastic team environment and quality practice … Enrolled at Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Sciences.
Will Morrill
First-Year • Sabre • CC
New York, N.Y. • High School for Math Science & Engineering
INTERNATIONAL FENCING BIO
PRE-COLUMBIA: Won gold with Senior Team and took bronze in individual competition at Madrid World Cup in 2024 … Earned gold medal at Junior Team World Championships and placed third individually in 2024 … Gold medalist with Junior Team at World Championships in 2023 … Claimed gold at Cadet World Championships in 2023 … Named All-American and All-Academic First team from 2020-24.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of High School for Math Science and Engineering at CCNY … Finalist for National Merit Society.
PERSONAL: Born August 24, 2006 … Son of Michelle and Donn Morrill … Has one sibling, Justin, who is on the fencing team at Duke … Chose Columbia because it combines academic excellence with exceptional fencing opportunities through its coaches, teammates, and location … Enrolled at Columbia College.
The Class of 2028, which features four sabrists, four epeeists and one foilist, hails from seven states and two internationals (China and the Philippines).
"We are thrilled to welcome our incoming class of champions," said the Lions' head coach. "I am excited they will have the opportunity to be part of our accomplished, experienced team of returners and confident they will bring what the team needs to be at our best."
Details on the Lions' 2024 newcomers are below. The complete 2024-24 Columbia fencing roster can be found by clicking here.
WOMEN
Janna Freedman
First-Year • Sabre • CC
Los Angeles, Calif. • Palos Verdes Peninsula
PRE-COLUMBIA: Three-time World Cup Team Champion with U.S. sabre squad … Placed second at 2023 Cadet World Cup in France … Cadet National Champion in 2022 … Took fifth at Division I Championship in Charlotte … Division I Team Nation Champion in 2023 … USFA All-American First Team 2019-2024.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School … AP Scholar with Distinction … USFA Academic First Team 2019-2024.
PERSONAL: Born March 7, 2006 … Daughter of Angelina Greve and Alan Freedman … Has two siblings, Myles and Viktor … Published artist in art anthologies … Chose Columbia of the team spirit and environment.… Enrolled at Columbia College.
Sophia Jakel
First-Year • Epee • SEAS
Bethesda, Md. • Walt Whitman
PRE-COLUMBIA: Gold medalist at 2022 Grenoble Cadet World Cup in team and individual competitions … Placed first in team event at 2024 Pan American Games in Brazil … Took third place in Division I at January 2024 NAC … Earned sixth-place finish in juniors at 2023 Summer Nationals.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Walt Whitman High School … Distinguished AP Scholar Award.
PERSONAL: Born March 12, 2006 in Washington, D.C. … Daughter of Yanina Kravtsova and Kevin Jakel … Has one sibling, Alysa … Speaks Russian, Italian and Spanish … Chose Columbia because it's close to some of the best fencing clubs in New York and offered an amazing engineering program … Enrolled at Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Sumin Lee
First-Year • Epee • CC
Las Vegas, Nev. • West Career & Technical Academy
PRE-COLUMBIA: Took third place in Division I Epee at 2024 April NAC and National Championships … Placed third in juniors at Junior Olympics in 2023 … Gold medalist as a cadet at 2022 Junior Olympics … Claimed first at October 2021 NAC in cadet … USA Fencing All-American First Team 2020-2023.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of West Career and Technical Academy in Las Vegas … USA Fencing All-Academic First Team 2020-2023 … AP Scholar … President's Volunteer Service Award Silver Medalist.
PERSONAL: Born April 19, 2005 in South Korea … Daughter of Hyangsuk Kim and Sangyup Lee … Has one sibling, Inwoo … Father, Sangyup is a three-time Olympic fencer from South Korea … Family moved to United States in 2015 … Chose Columbia because "it was my dream school, and I believe that this institution will provide me with an opportunity to improve as a fencer while pursuing my academic interests" … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Veronica Mika
First-Year • Sabre • CC
Basking Ridge, N.J. • Ridge
PRE-COLUMBIA: Finished in top eight at January 2024 NAC and November 2023 NAC (juniors) … Division I Team National Champions at April 2024 NAC … Took Silver in team event at 2024 Junior Olympics … Placed seventh at November 2023 NAC (juniors) … Earned silver medal in team competition at Junior World Cup in Madrid in 2023 … FInished seventh at 2022 Junior Olympics … Earned second Cadet World Cup in Romania in 2022.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Ridge High School … Competed on varsity fencing team for two years.
PERSONAL: Born August 15, 2006 … Daughter of Agnieszka and Rafal Mika … Has one sibling, Casper, who fences at North Carolina … Chose Columbia for team environment as well as what the school offers in regards to fencing and education … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Carolina Stutchbury
First-Year • Foil • School • CC
Atlanta, Ga. • Stanford Online High School
INTERNATIONAL FENCING BIO
PRE-COLUMBIA: Bronze medalist at Cadet European Championships for Great Britain … Also took bronze at 2024 Senior European Championships … Earned bronze at the 2022 Junior World Championships … Two-time Junior European Championships gold medalist … Claimed silver at the 2022 Cadet World Championships.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Stanford Online High School.
PERSONAL: Born October 23, 2005 in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England … Daughter of Joanna and Martin Stutchbury … Has one sibling, Peter … Chose Columbia because of the balance between school and fencing and how inviting the team was … Speaks Polish … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Claire Wang
First-Year • Epee • BC
Beijing, China • Dulwich College
PRE-COLUMBIA: China Northern Regional Tournament 17+ Individual Silver Medalist in 2023 … Beijing Fencing Association competition 17+ Team Gold Medalist in 2021 and 2022 … Hubei Provincial Tournament U16 Individual Silver Medalist in 2021… Beijing International School Fencing Tournament U16 Individual Bronze Medalist in 2021 … China National Northern Region Fencing Competition U14 Team Gold Medalist in 2019 … Beijing Middle-School Fencing Competition U14 Individual Gold Medalist in 2018.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Dulwich College Beijing, a British International School based in Beijing … Also played basketball and volleyball.
PERSONAL: Born October 18, 2005 … Daughter of Christine Xing and Jackson Wang … Has one sibling, Catherine … Chose Columbia after seeing the cohesive team spirit and the esteemed fencing tradition … Enrolled at Barnard College.
Meagan Yao Co Say
First-Year • Sabre • CC
Quezon City, Philippines • Everest Academy
PRE-COLUMBIA: Member of Philippines Senior National Team (2024) and Junior National Team (2021-Present) … Ranked No. 1 Junior in Philippines (2022-Present), No. 1 Cadet (2021-2023) … Won Junior Individual Bronze and Junior Team Gold at 2024 Southeast Asian Fencing Federation Championships (SEAFF) … Earned Cadet Individual Gold and Junior Team Gold at 2023 Southeast Asian fencing Federation.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Everest International Academy in the Philippines … Class valedictorian and AP Scholar with Distinction.
PERSONAL: Born April 4, 2006 … Daughter of Maye Tang Yo and Vinson Co Say … Has one sibling, Marcus … Wrote children's activity book about voter education … Began fencing at age 12 … Plays drums and sings … Enrolled at Columbia College.
MEN
Luka Loncar
First-Year • Epee • CC
Cambridge, Mass. • Boston University Academy
PRE-COLUMBIA: Took first place at the 2022 Bratislava Cadet Team event, representing the United States … Earned individual gold medals at Cadet World Cups in Bratislava and Grenoble… Placed third at Junior Nationals in Minneapolis… Claimed third at Salt Lake City Junior Olympics.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of Boston University Academy … Competed three years on varsity fencing team.
PERSONAL: Born August 25, 2006 … Son of Evelyn Encinas-Loncar and Marko Loncar … Has one sibling, Autumn, who attends grad school at Columbia … Father is a professor at Harvard … Chose Columbia because of the fantastic team environment and quality practice … Enrolled at Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Sciences.
Will Morrill
First-Year • Sabre • CC
New York, N.Y. • High School for Math Science & Engineering
INTERNATIONAL FENCING BIO
PRE-COLUMBIA: Won gold with Senior Team and took bronze in individual competition at Madrid World Cup in 2024 … Earned gold medal at Junior Team World Championships and placed third individually in 2024 … Gold medalist with Junior Team at World Championships in 2023 … Claimed gold at Cadet World Championships in 2023 … Named All-American and All-Academic First team from 2020-24.
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2024 graduate of High School for Math Science and Engineering at CCNY … Finalist for National Merit Society.
PERSONAL: Born August 24, 2006 … Son of Michelle and Donn Morrill … Has one sibling, Justin, who is on the fencing team at Duke … Chose Columbia because it combines academic excellence with exceptional fencing opportunities through its coaches, teammates, and location … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Players Mentioned
SABRE
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EPEE
/ Fencing
EPEE
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SABRE
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FOIL
/ Fencing
EPEE
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SABRE
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