Air Force to host Western Region Championships
3/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Fencing
March 9, 2004
On March 13, the Air Force fencing team will host the 2004 NCAA Western Region Fencing Championships at the Cadet Gymnasium - center gym at 10 a.m. The event is open to the public.
Air Force is the defending region champion. The Falcons host CalTech, Cal Fullerton, Stanford University and UC San Diego.
"The team has suffered with injuries throughout the regular season, but we will be ready for this weekend's battle for the Western Region championship title," head coach Abdel Salem said.
In 2003, the Falcons sent six fencers to the NCAA championships, which were held at the Academy. Air Force fencer Timothy French finished second to teammate Seth Kelsey, class of 2003 in last year's regional. Both qualified for the NCAA Fencing Championships and earned All-American honors in men's epee. Junior Marisa Romero from Allen, Texas, finished second in the 2003 Western Region Championships, qualifying for the NCAAs where she finished 23rd in women's sabre.
Under coach Salem's leadership, the Falcons have qualified fencers for the NCAA Championships the past six years. The Falcons are 7-7 in only two dual meets in 2004.
Results from the NCAA Western Region Championships will be available online following the competition.
