Fencing Team Hosts the 88th Annual National Women’s Championships

The Army West Point Fencing Team was proud to host the 88th Annual National Intercollegiate Women’s Fencing Association Championships at home in Arvin Gymnasium. The Women’s Foil Weapon Squad captured their first team title ever in this weapon, finishing third Place behind nationally ranked NCAA DIV I Temple University, and nationally ranked NCAA DIV III Stevens Institute of Technology. The Women’s Foil Squad was led by CDT Claudia Sun, with team mates CDT Samantha Verduzco and CDT Rachel Pennington. Both advanced to Individual Finals, and in the bracket of 16 (a direct elimination), CDT Sun finished 8th place being awarded that finish (now 8th in the Nation) and a berth on the 2nd Team All Conference; CDT Verduzco finished 11th. The Women’s Sabre Squad led by CDT Bethany Forte, with team mates CDT Taylor Sharpsten and CDT Callie Pace, finished 4th place, and both CDT Forte and CDT Sharpsten advanced to the Direct Elimination (DE) of 16 to finish 9th and 10th respectively. The Women’s Team outpaced Navy in two out of three weapons, earning a higher ranking than their service academy rivals all day long. CDT Laura Pleake was presented with the “NIWFA All Academic Award”, a distinction made to her of her academic achievements while also being a member of the Fencing Team. Fencing Coach Bob Grieser was presented with the “NIWFA Founders Award” by the Conference Board in a presentation at the Championships; he is the only male recipient of this award in the 88 year history of the conference.