Three ‘Cats Earn All-America Honors At NCAA Championships

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (March 24, 2025) – Three Wildcats secured All-America accolades to lead Northwestern Fencing at the 2025 NCAA Fencing Championships this past weekend in University Park, Pa.
 
The Wildcats closed their two-day stay inside Penn State University's Multi-Sport Facility with 62 total victories, a tally that saw Northwestern finish fifth nationally amongst women's programs.
 
Amanda Pirkowski battled her way to a podium finish in the epee, as she capped off her collegiate career by placing seventh to secure a Second Team All-America nod.  Now a two-time All-American for her career, Pirkowksi finished an impressive 16-7 record across 23 pool bouts.  Karen Wang also represented Northwestern in the weapon, taking 16^th in her third straight appearance at the national meet.
 
Daphne Chan Nok Sze capped off an impressive first-year campaign by taking 10^th in the foil en route to being tabbed an Honorable Mention All-American.  Chan Nok Sze, who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics prior to her arrival at Northwestern, picked up 13 pool victories.  Fellow first-year Yukari Takamizawa placed 20^th.
 
In the sabre, Natalie Shearer put the exclamation point on a standout debut season of her own with the 'Cats.  Shearer piled up 11 head-to-head wins in pool action on the way to an 11^th-place showing that also saw her named Honorable Mention All-America.  Alex Chen also saw action in the weapon, finishing 20^th overall.
 
A full listing of Northwestern's results from the NCAA Championships follows.
 
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Women's Epee
7^th – Amanda Pirkowski
16^th – Karen Wang
 
Women's Foil
10^th – Daphne Chan Nok Sze
20^th – Yukari Takamizawa
 
Women's Sabre
11^th – Natalie Shearer
20^th – Alex Chen
 
UP NEXT
Northwestern will send student-athletes to USA Fencing's April North American Cup (NAC), April 11-14, in Los Angeles, Calif.