Columbia University
Stevens
Fencing Opens Up Season at Home Meet Sunday
11/7/2025 10:00:00 AM | Fencing
The Lions will face Stevens, NJIT and Johns Hopkins at the Columbia Invitational
NEW YORK — The Columbia fencing team begins the 2025-26 season at home for the Columbia Invitational on Sunday, November 9. The Lions will take on Stevens at 12 p.m., followed by a matchup with NJIT at 1:15 p.m. and will close the day against Johns Hopkins at 2:30 p.m.
FAN INFORMATION
Spectators without a valid Columbia University ID or registered QR code will need to enter campus through the Northwest Science Building at West 120th & Broadway. A Columbia Athletics staff member will be stationed in the Northwest Science Building lobby on the corner of Broadway and West 120th Street one hour before the event. Fans will need to go up to the fourth floor of the Science Building, walk across Pupin Plaza to the front entrance of the Dodge Fitness Center, and then proceed to the Blue Gym. Maps will be available for visitors in the entry lobby. After the event, spectators should exit the Dodge Fitness Center by retracing their route through the Northwest Science Building to W. 120th Street.
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Round 1 – 12 p.m.
Columbia vs. Stevens (Blue Gym)
NJIT vs. Johns Hopkins (Fencing Room)
Round 2 – 1:15 p.m.
Columbia vs. NJIT (Blue Gym)
Stevens vs. Johns Hopkins (Fencing Room)
Round 3 – 2:30 p.m.
Columbia vs. Johns Hopkins (Blue Gym)
LIONS AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
The United States Fencing Coaches Association released its preseason polls on November 4. The men's team was selected No. 1 in the nation, while the women were picked No. 2, behind only Notre Dame. The USFCA ranked the top 15 teams from all NCAA programs, roughly corresponding to the top third of the men's and women's teams. The midseason poll will be announced in January.
LOOK WHO'S BACK
The Lions return nine of their 12 NCAA Championships qualifiers and seven All-Americans from a season ago. Senior Tierna Oxenreider is a three-time All-American and two-time NCAA silver medalist in women's epee. In women's foil, senior Zander Rhodes, a three-time All-American and bronze medalist in 2025, and sophomore Carolina Stutchbury, who also earned bronze in her rookie campaign, lead the way. On the men's side, sophomore Will Morrill was Columbia's top NCAA finisher after earning fifth place in men's sabre and was the USFCA Newcomer of the Year. Junior Samarth Kumbla picked up his second All-America honor in 2024-25 and is the two-time defending individual Ivy League Champion in men's foil.
AGAINST THE FIELD
At last year's Columbia Invitational, both teams went 3-0. Rachael Kim went 9-0 in women's foil, Sumin Lee was 5-1 in women's épée, while Enoch Xiao and Luka Loncar both were 8-1 in their respective weapons for the men.
A NEW ERA
New this year, the NCAA will crown separate men's and women's team champions. There will no longer be a combined gender national champion. This change does not impact the format of the championship. The 2026 championships will be held on the University of Notre Dame campus from March 19-22.
FOLLOW THE LIONS
For the latest on Columbia's fencing programs, follow @CULionsFencing on X, Instagram and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Players Mentioned
