Northwestern University Athletics
NU Set for Midwest Regional Championships
3/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Fencing
March 9, 2004
Seedings for Midwest Regional Championships
Download Free Acrobat Reader
EVANSTON, Ill.--With a third-place finish and two individual medals from last weekend's Midwest Fencing Conference Championships, Northwestern's sixth-ranked women's fencing team has gained confidence and momentum for its nine members competing in the Midwest Regional Championships March 14 at SPAC.
"The kids felt good about the way they fenced, and they have as good of a chance as anybody to qualify," said head coach Laurie Schiller, who had four fencers make the NCAA Championships last year. "The competition will be a lot of tougher than last week, but we are more than ready. It will be a question of who gets hot that day."
This season, the Wildcats once again have an array of outstanding fencers that have a excellent chance at making the NCAA Tournament. Foilist Julia F?ldi (Budapest, Hungary/Szent Isatavan Gimnazium) has thus far accumulated an astonishing 75-4 (.949) dual record, which includes a win over two-time NCAA Champion Alicja Kryczalo of Notre Dame back in November.
Foldi, the No. 4 seed, took sixth last year, and will be joined by freshman Jessica Florendo (Forest Hills, N.Y./The Dwight School), seeded sixth, and sophomore Christina Wang (Milpitas, Calif./Castilleja), seeded seventh.
For the sabre squad, expect Lauren Van Gieson (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) to make another dent, as she paced the 'Cats with her eighth-place performance in 2003. Drawing a No. 7 seed, Van Gieson captains a squad consisting of junior classmate Lauren Dunn (Sacramento, Calif./Del Campo), seeded ninth, and newcomer Mai Vu (New York, N.Y./Bronx Science), seeded fifth.
As for the epeeists, look to Sharon Sullivan (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) to lead it like she did last year with her sixth-place finish. The sophomore and No. 7 seed also had the best showing amongst her squad members last week, taking sixth.
Fellow epeeists Courtney DuBois (Chatham, N.J./Oak Knoll), seeded ninth, and Sara Pecherek (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South), seeded eighth, round out the nine NU fencers entered in the event.
Approximately one week after the conclusion of the Championships, the NCAA will announce the qualifiers for the National Tournament, which will take place March 25-28 at Brandeis in Waltham, Mass. The Midwest Fencing Conference is allocated four spots in sabre, and six apiece in epee and foil.
Competition for all three weapons will begin at 9 a.m. Final results will be posted immediately following the Championships.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
