Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Fencers Ready to Open 2012 Dual Slate
1/6/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Fencing
Jan. 6, 2012
Western Invitational
Saturday, January 7
Cadet Gymnasium
Colorado Springs, Colo. • 9:00 a.m. CST
Live Streaming Video
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- With the prospect of a third straight 40-win season on the horizon, the Northwestern fencing team begins the 2012 dual season in earnest on Saturday, January 7th when it heads west to take part in the Western Invitational. The dual meet is hosted by the Air Force and features seven of the top teams from around the country.
Two years ago, in 2009-10, the Wildcats set a program record with 45 wins on the season. It was the first time in Northwestern fencing history that the team eclipsed the 40-win plateau. Last season, the 'Cats turned the feat again, winning 41 duals en route to a second straight top-eight finish at the NCAA Championship.
The Wildcats roster features a strong blend of outstanding returnees and talented newcomers in all three weapons this year. Two-time All-American junior foil Dayana Sarkisova (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) returns for her third season with an overall record of 197-42. Sarkisova led the 'Cats last season with 99 bout wins last season and placed 10th at the NCAA Championships.
Sophomore epée Dina Bazarbayeva (Houston, Texas/Lamar) is also returning after an All-America effort in her inaugural collegiate season. The Houston native, finished sixth at the NCAA Championships last March and posted 64 wins overall on the year.
Alicia Gurrieri (Medford, N.J./Moorestown Friends) returns to action in 2012 after missing all of last season with an injury. In 2010, the now-junior captured the individual sabre title at the Midwest Fencing Conference Championships as a freshman.
2011 NCAA Championship participants Kate Cavanaugh (Milwaukee, Wis./Nicolet), Chloe Grainger (Decatur, Ga./Decatur) and Devynn Patterson (Seattle, Wash./Roosevelt) are all back in the mix again this season for NU.
Head coach Laurie Schiller's squad also features eight highly touted freshmen from every corner of the country, who can make an immediate impact on the roster.
Saturday's competition at the Air Force Academy will commence at 9:00 a.m. CST, though the Wildcats first dual is not scheduled to begin until 10:15 a.m. A full schedule of Northwestern's times and opponents for the day can be found below. There is a link for streaming video available at the top of this page.
Participating Teams:
Air Force
Caltech
Stanford
UC - San Diego
Northwestern
Florida
Swarthmore
Schedule:
10:15 a.m. - Caltech vs. Northwestern
11:30 a.m. - UC - San Diego vs. Northwestern
1:15 p.m. - Swarthmore vs. Northwestern
2:30 p.m. - Air Force vs. Northwestern
3:45 p.m. - Florida vs. Northwestern
5:00 p.m. - Stanford vs. Northwestern
6:15 p.m. - Awards Ceremony
* - all times listed in CST
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