Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Open 2008-09 Season Hosting USFA Burton
10/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Fencing
Oct. 3, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern fencing opens up the 2008-09 season at home, hosting the USFA Burton at the Northwestern Sports and Aquatic Center (SPAC) Saturday, Oct. 4.
"This will be a good test for us to see where we stand after only a week and a half of practice," said head coach Laurie Schiller. "Hopefully we can have some of the girls step up and have a good showing."
The Wildcats fared well at last season's Burton, with four fencers taking home individual gold medals. Senior Sam Nemecek defeated 53 other individuals, including a male-dominated field, in capturing the title in the mixed foil. Nemecek went a perfect 11-0 in the event with victories over Wildcat associate head coach Ed Kaihatsu in the semifinals and Northwestern men's club team member Jonathan Kim in the finals.
The women's epee field was dominated by sisters Kayley French and Christa French with Kayley coming out on top in the final. Each won all five matches in pool play before facing off for the gold. Junior Karolyn Szot won gold in the women's foil by capping a perfect record with a close 14-13 win in the final. Freshman Elisabeth Sachs performed well in her first collegiate event, earning a bronze medal.
This year's Burton looks to be one of the largest ever, as nearly 300 fencers are expected to compete. Action gets underway with the men's foil at 7:45 a.m., with the women's epee scheduled for 9:15. The women's sabre is set to get underway at 11:5 a.m. with the women's foil scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
Northwestern is coming off another successful season, as the `Cats finished 36-4 in 2007-08, placing third at the Midwest Fencing Conference Championships and seventh at the NCAA Championships. NU returns all three of its' All-Americans from last year as Nemecek and Christa French were both named to the second-team while Joanna Niklinska received honorable mention honors. Head coach Laurie Schiller enters his 31st season at the helm of the Wildcats with an overall record of 955-404
