Air Force Academy
Western Regional Championships
Three Fencers Qualify for NCAAs
3/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Fencing
March 9, 2009
The Academy's fencing team had three fencers qualify for the 2009 NCAA Men's and Women's Fencing Championships. Juniors Peter French and Daniel Trapani and freshman Simone Barrette all received nominations to the NCAAs at Penn State on March 19-22. The three qualified at the NCAA Western Regional Championships this past weekend at Stanford University.
On Saturday, March 7, French qualified in the individual men's epee championship by winning the gold medal bout against Stanford's Kevin Mo. Trapani followed suit taking third place to secure his spot at the national championships. Both earned all-region honors, and it is the third time in French's and the second in Trapani's Academy careers that they will travel to the NCAA Championships. Qualifying in individual women's epee, Barrette finished in third place among the 10 collegiate competitors. She also earned all-region honors and will make her first national appearance at the NCAAs, March 19-22.
"I am pleased for our three fencers who received the nominations for the national championships," said head coach Abdel Salem. "French and Trapani have come a long way in their Academy careers. Simone has been one of our top women's fencers and we expect her to go far in her collegiate career."
Receiving an at-large nomination were sophomore Nick Stockdale, who finished fourth in the individual men's foil and freshman Phil Choy, who finished in fifth place among nine fencers.
In individual men's saber, junior Michael O'Connor took fourth place among eight fencers, and freshman Saskia Hicks finished seventh in women's saber. Freshman Michelle Kiyota took eighth place in the women's foil event. Freshman Sam Rinaldi finished the tournament in eighth place in foil. Freshman Ben Rinaldi finished in fifth place in men's epee. In women's epee, sophomore Jennifer Nolta finished in sixth place, followed by freshman Katie Bogan who took 10th place.
"Our freshman did alright in their first regional competition," said Salem. "We can expect good results from them as they grow and become stronger competitors."
Players Mentioned
