Air Force With A Pair of Top 25 Finishes At USA Fencing Summer Nationals

Air Force fencing completed competition at the USA Fencing National Championships and July Challenge (Summer Nationals), which ran June 29-July 3 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. The Falcons had five cadet-athletes at Summer Nationals, led by a Top-10 finish from rising sophomore Christina Watrall and a Top-25 finish from rising junior Jack Griffith.

Watrall finished seventh out of a field of 156 competitors in the Div. I women's epee. Watrall posted eight wins in competition, including a 4-1 run through the direct elimination rounds. She made it to the quarterfinals before falling to eventual epee champion Tierna Oxenreider. Watrall also competed in the senior team women's epee, placing first out of a field of 25 teams..

Rising junior Jack Griffith led a trip of competitors in the Div. I Men's Epee for the Falcons. Grifftih placed 21st out of a field of 213 competitors, earning seven wins, including two in direct elimination. Rising sophomores Raphael Li and James Jang also competed for the Falcons. Li finished 70th with five wins and Jang finished 163rd with two wins.

Rising junior Omar Emara placed 120th out of 235 competitors in the Div. I men's epee. Emara posted four wins, including one in the direct elimination competition

"Summer Nationals are one of the most difficult and challenging national competitions due to the number of participants and length of each event," head coach Katarzyna Dabrowa said. "Christina opened the tournament with an inspiring top eight finish in a Div./ I senior event, which puts her in a great spot for next season. Similarly, Jack's top-32 finish in his event gives him a competitive advantage moving forward." .

"Every athlete faces challenges on their way to success, but it's the ones that learn how to get up from their defeats and continue improving," Dabrowa added. "I believe all our cadets have what it takes to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger."
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USA Fencing Summer Nationals results for Air Force

Div. I Women's Epee (156 competitors)
7. Christina Watrall

Senior Team Women's Epee (25 teams)
1. Christina Watrall

Div. I Men's Epee (235 competitors)
120. Omar Emara

Div. I Men's Foil (213 competitors)
21. Jack Griffith
70. Raphael Li
163. James Jang

Air Force With A Pair of Top 25 Finishes At USA Fencing Summer Nationals

Players Mentioned

Omar Emara

Jack Griffith

Christina Watrall

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