Air Force Crowned MPSF Men’s Fencing Champions; Watrall and Nazlymov Claim Individual Titles

Air Force claimed the 2026 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Men's Fencing Championship Sunday at the McDermott Center on the University of the Incarnate Word campus in San Antonio, Texas. In addition, the Falcons earned five medals in the individual head-to-head competition, highlighted by gold medal performances from junior Christina Watrall and freshman Andrei Nazlymov.

It was the first-ever MPSF fencing title for Air Force, as the Falcons outscored UC San Diego 30-24. UC San Diego won the women's team competition for the second-straight season, defeating the Falcons, who finished runner-up.

In individual competition, Watrall defended her 2025 title, winning the women's epee competition for the second-straight year. Watrall defeated Natalie Brooke Gebala of UC San Diego 15-8 in the championship bout of the direct elimination bracket.

Nazlymov claimed the first-ever men's saber title for Air Force. Nazlymov defeated Olympian Yassin Khodir of UIW 15-13 in the championship bout.

Senior Jack Griffith, senior Mira Vestel and freshman Byung Kim also medaled for the Falcons. Griffith was the silver medalist in the men's foil, claiming his third medal at MPSFs in his four years. Vestel tied for bronze in the women's saber. Kim tied for third in men's epee.

Up next is the NCAA Fencing Championships, held March 19-22 on the campus of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Qualifiers will be announced by the NCAA this Tuesday, Mar. 10.

Air Force MPSF Individual Results

Men's Epee (4 competitors)
3T. Byung Kim

Men's Foil (4 competitors)
2. Jack Griffith

Women's Saber (4 competitors)
3T. Mira Vestel

Women's Epee (4 competitors)
1. Christina Watrall
4. Ellie Kim

Men's Saber (4 competitors)
1. Andrei Nazlymov

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