Northwestern University Athletics
Thursday, March 19
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NCAA Championships
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Lu Earns All-America Honors, ‘Cats Take Sixth At NCAA Championships
3/20/2026 3:20:00 PM | Women's Fencing
First-year becomes third Wildcat sabreist in four seasons to secure All-America distinction
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (March 20, 2026) – Elaine Lu capped off a breakout first-year campaign by surging to All-America honors as No. 6 Northwestern fencing competed at the NCAA Championships this week in South Bend, Ind.
Gallery: (3-19-2026) Fencing at NCAA Championships
The 'Cats piled up 54 victories across their two-day stay inside the Castellan Family Fencing Center en route to placing sixth overall in the final team standings. Northwestern was the top Central Collegiate Fencing Conference finisher at the meet, coming in 11 wins clear of seventh-place Ohio State.
Lu turned in an outstanding showing in her postseason debut. The Wellesley, Mass. native totaled 15 victories in the sabre, a mark that led all Wildcats, to secure a seventh-place finish and Second Team All-America distinction. Lu is the third Wildcat sabreist in four seasons to earn All-America honors.
Competing alongside Lu in the sabre, Natalie Shearer finished 22nd in her second appearance at the national meet in as many seasons.
Making her first appearance at the national meet in her final outing as a Wildcat, Anna Damratoski tallied 11 head-to-head wins on the way to a 13th-place finish in the epee. Natasha Lee wrapped up an impressive first-year season of her own by placing 19th.
Like Shearer, foilist Yukari Takamizawa made a return trip to the NCAA Championships, scoring nine victories to land 14th. Brianna Ho finished 24th in the weapon.
A full listing of Northwestern's results from the NCAA Championships follows.
Women's Epee
13th – Anna Damratoski
19th – Natasha Lee
Women's Foil
14th – Yukari Takamizawa
24th – Brianna Ho
Women's Sabre
7th – Elaine Lu
22nd – Natalie Shearer
UP NEXT
Northwestern will send student-athletes to USA Fencing's April North American Cup, April 24-27, in Richmond, Va.
The 'Cats piled up 54 victories across their two-day stay inside the Castellan Family Fencing Center en route to placing sixth overall in the final team standings. Northwestern was the top Central Collegiate Fencing Conference finisher at the meet, coming in 11 wins clear of seventh-place Ohio State.
Lu turned in an outstanding showing in her postseason debut. The Wellesley, Mass. native totaled 15 victories in the sabre, a mark that led all Wildcats, to secure a seventh-place finish and Second Team All-America distinction. Lu is the third Wildcat sabreist in four seasons to earn All-America honors.
On the Podium ??
— Northwestern Fencing (@NUWFencing) March 20, 2026
Making her #NCAAFencing debut, Elaine Lu places seventh overall in the sabre! pic.twitter.com/OCa6WZDSkZ
Competing alongside Lu in the sabre, Natalie Shearer finished 22nd in her second appearance at the national meet in as many seasons.
Making her first appearance at the national meet in her final outing as a Wildcat, Anna Damratoski tallied 11 head-to-head wins on the way to a 13th-place finish in the epee. Natasha Lee wrapped up an impressive first-year season of her own by placing 19th.
Like Shearer, foilist Yukari Takamizawa made a return trip to the NCAA Championships, scoring nine victories to land 14th. Brianna Ho finished 24th in the weapon.
A full listing of Northwestern's results from the NCAA Championships follows.
Women's Epee
13th – Anna Damratoski
19th – Natasha Lee
Women's Foil
14th – Yukari Takamizawa
24th – Brianna Ho
Women's Sabre
7th – Elaine Lu
22nd – Natalie Shearer
UP NEXT
Northwestern will send student-athletes to USA Fencing's April North American Cup, April 24-27, in Richmond, Va.
Players Mentioned
Epée
/ Women's Fencing
Foil
/ Women's Fencing
Epee
/ Women's Fencing
Sabre
/ Women's Fencing
Foil
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