Wildcats Seek Sixth Midwest Fencing Conference Title

Saturday, February 23

Columbus, Ohio

All Day

Northwestern

Midwest Conference Championships

Wildcats Seek Sixth Midwest Fencing Conference Title

2/22/2019 10:25:00 AM | Women's Fencing

EVANSTON, Ill. – The No. 2 Northwestern women's fencing team is set to begin postseason competition this weekend at the Midwest Fencing Conference Championships in Columbus, Ohio hosted by Ohio State.

The Wildcats are seeking their second consecutive MFC team title and sixth overall after becoming conference champions last year. The sabre and foil squads each captured its fifth title in program history en route to the conference championship.

The two-day event features individual weapon competition on Saturday and a team weapon group competition on Sunday. The individual competition will follow a pools and main draw format, with the top fencers in each weapon receiving a bye into the draw.

In the team competition, the overall champion is decided by a combined point total. Winning two out of the three weapon groups clinches the title.

Joining Northwestern in Columbus will be 17 other schools, most notably host Ohio State, currently ranked No. 8 in the nation. The 'Cats swept the season series against the Buckeyes, earning victories at the Elite Invitational in November and at the Northwestern Duals earlier this month.

Although Northwestern has not had an individual champion since 2016, several Wildcats took home medals with top-three finishes last season. Alexis Browne and Sarah Filby collected silver medals in saber and foil, respectively, while Marta Amador Molina, Justine Banbury, and Abby Tartell each earned bronze medals in their respective weapon groups.

Under head coach Zach Moss' tutelage this season, Northwestern earned the highest ranking in program history at No. 2. At 39-5, NU captured its highest duals winning percentage (.886) since the 2009-10 campaign.

"Our team is very excited to compete to defend our conference championship from last year," said Moss. "The competition is tough but our team is ready."

Pauline Hamilton's 38 wins lead all NU fencers this season. Close behind are Filby and Emine Yücel with 37 wins apiece. Overall, eight Wildcats won at least 30 bouts. As a group, Northwestern's foilists led the team with a combined record of 270-96 and .738 winning percentage.

Seven of NU's first-years competed in the Junior Olympics last weekend to wrap up a remarkable season for the rookies. Maggie Snider's 35 wins lead all first-years and ranks third overall on the squad, while Jerrica Liao's 22-1 record boasts the highest winning percentage (.957) of any Wildcat with at least 15 wins this season. Additionally, Alyssa Chen, Julia Falinska, Natalie Kim, Elina Moon, and Robyn Song each racked up at least 25 wins this season.

To follow Chicago's Big Ten Team in their quest for their sixth Midwest Fencing Conference Championship, follow @NUWFencing on Twitter and Instagram and Northwestern Fencing on Facebook, as well as the hashtag #B1GCats.

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