Wildcat Sabreists Take Bronze At Junior Olympics

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (January 12, 2026) – In the Wildcats' first action of 2026, No. 5 Northwestern fencing's sabre squad secured a third-place finish at USA Fencing's Junior Olympics this past weekend in Kansas City, Mo.
 
Competing in the Junior Team Women's Sabre, the trio of Nisha Hild, Elaine Lu, and Sophia Schiminovich picked up three head-to-head victories inside the Kansas City Convention Center en route to securing a spot on the podium. Following a razor-thin 45-43 setback in the semifinal round, the 'Cats closed the event on a high note, downing Absolute Fencing & Fitness Academy, 45-36, to claim bronze.
 
In the individual section of the weapon, Hild and Schiminovich stormed to perfect 6-0 marks in pool action ahead of the tableau.  Both went on to notch a victory apiece in direct elimination, with Hild finishing 34^th, while Schiminovich checked in 39^th.  Lu came away with a win of her own in the tableau en route to placing 57^th.
 
Angelica Xiong and Natasha Lee represented Northwestern in the Junior Women's Epee, placing 39^th and 42^nd, respectively.  After both posting 5-1 marks in pool action, Xiong and Lee tallied wins in the Round of 128 in the tableau.
 
Bridgette Ouyang carried the banner for the 'Cats in the Junior Women's Foil, finishing 73^rd overall.
 
A full listing of Northwestern's results from the Junior Olympics follows.
 
Junior Women's Epee
39^th – Angelica Xiong
42^nd – Natasha Lee
 
Junior Women's Foil
73^rd – Bridgette Ouyang
 
Junior Women's Sabre
34^th – Nisha Hild
39^th – Sophia Schiminovich
57^th – Elaine Lu
 
Junior Team Women's Sabre
3^rd – Nisha Hild, Elaine Lu, Sophia Schiminovich
 
UP NEXT
Northwestern dives back into dual competition at the Tufts Invitational in Medford, Mass. on Sunday, January 18.