Northwestern University Athletics
Moss Announces Four Additions to Class of 2023
2/6/2019 2:15:00 PM | Women's Fencing
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern women's fencing head coach Zach Moss announced on Wednesday the addition of four newcomers to the Class of 2023.
Joining the Wildcats next fall will be: Isabelle Banin [New York, N.Y. / Horace Mann], Ilsa Hoffman [Red Hook, N.Y. / Red Hook], Thea Nguyen [Irvine, Calif. / Irvine], and Julia Shalansky [Providence, R.I. / Wheeler].
"I am excited to add this group to our program. They are tremendous fencers and people who should have an immediate impact on our team," said Moss. "In addition to their outstanding skills on the strip, they are great team players and are beyond excited to be joining the Northwestern family. They are excellent in the classroom and bring strong competitive experience at the national and international level to our team. We are so thrilled to have them as Wildcats."
Northwestern will return 27 of 32 fencers to the team next year, which is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation by College Fencing 360.
Player Bios:
Isabelle Banin
5'3
New York, N.Y. / Horace Mann
High School/Club: B-rated foil fencer … Placed 25th at Div. 1 Women's Foil Summer Nationals event in 2018 … Recipient of Gould-Hirschfeld Sportsmanship Award in 2015.
Personal: Born Isabelle Jordan Banin in London, England … Parents are Lisa Rosenblum and Saar Banin … Sister of current Wildcat Alexandra Banin … Anticipated major is Anthropology.
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Ilsa Hoffman
5'9
Red Hook, N.Y. / Red Hook
High School/Club: Club team captain … A-rated International fencer for Team USA … Two-time high school All-American and two-time All-Academic … Three-time national medalist … Club team is Kolakowski Sabre Academy at The Phoenix Center … National Honor Society member … Recipient of International Baccalaureate diploma.
Personal: Born Ilsa Larkin Hoffman … Parents are Kathryn and Kevin Hoffman … Anticipated major is Environmental Science.
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Thea Nguyen
5'4
Irvine, Calif. / Irvine
Personal: Born Thea Nguyen in Raleigh, North Carolina … Parents are Thuy Phan and Cuong Nguyen … Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member … Competed with current Wildcat Robyn Song … Anticipated major is Biology.
=
Julia Shalansky
5'7
Providence, R.I. / Wheeler
High School/Club: Member of 2018 Rhode Island Fencing Academy and Club 2nd place team at the Senior National Championship … Top-16 finisher at Junior NAC in 2017 … Member of 2016 Rhode Island Fencing Academy and Club Senior Team at National Championship … Second-place finisher in Division II at Summer Nationals in 2015 … Fifth-place finisher in Division II at Summer Nationals in 2014.
Personal: Born Julia Brandel Shalansky in Boston … Parents are Emily Torgan-Shalansky and Steven Shalansky … Sophomore class president … Member of 18 Wheelers, competitive acapella group … Anticipated major is Biology.
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Joining the Wildcats next fall will be: Isabelle Banin [New York, N.Y. / Horace Mann], Ilsa Hoffman [Red Hook, N.Y. / Red Hook], Thea Nguyen [Irvine, Calif. / Irvine], and Julia Shalansky [Providence, R.I. / Wheeler].
"I am excited to add this group to our program. They are tremendous fencers and people who should have an immediate impact on our team," said Moss. "In addition to their outstanding skills on the strip, they are great team players and are beyond excited to be joining the Northwestern family. They are excellent in the classroom and bring strong competitive experience at the national and international level to our team. We are so thrilled to have them as Wildcats."
Northwestern will return 27 of 32 fencers to the team next year, which is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation by College Fencing 360.
Player Bios:
Isabelle Banin
5'3
New York, N.Y. / Horace Mann
High School/Club: B-rated foil fencer … Placed 25th at Div. 1 Women's Foil Summer Nationals event in 2018 … Recipient of Gould-Hirschfeld Sportsmanship Award in 2015.
Personal: Born Isabelle Jordan Banin in London, England … Parents are Lisa Rosenblum and Saar Banin … Sister of current Wildcat Alexandra Banin … Anticipated major is Anthropology.
==
Ilsa Hoffman
5'9
Red Hook, N.Y. / Red Hook
High School/Club: Club team captain … A-rated International fencer for Team USA … Two-time high school All-American and two-time All-Academic … Three-time national medalist … Club team is Kolakowski Sabre Academy at The Phoenix Center … National Honor Society member … Recipient of International Baccalaureate diploma.
Personal: Born Ilsa Larkin Hoffman … Parents are Kathryn and Kevin Hoffman … Anticipated major is Environmental Science.
=
Thea Nguyen
5'4
Irvine, Calif. / Irvine
Personal: Born Thea Nguyen in Raleigh, North Carolina … Parents are Thuy Phan and Cuong Nguyen … Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member … Competed with current Wildcat Robyn Song … Anticipated major is Biology.
=
Julia Shalansky
5'7
Providence, R.I. / Wheeler
High School/Club: Member of 2018 Rhode Island Fencing Academy and Club 2nd place team at the Senior National Championship … Top-16 finisher at Junior NAC in 2017 … Member of 2016 Rhode Island Fencing Academy and Club Senior Team at National Championship … Second-place finisher in Division II at Summer Nationals in 2015 … Fifth-place finisher in Division II at Summer Nationals in 2014.
Personal: Born Julia Brandel Shalansky in Boston … Parents are Emily Torgan-Shalansky and Steven Shalansky … Sophomore class president … Member of 18 Wheelers, competitive acapella group … Anticipated major is Biology.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
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