POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Twenty-four Vassar College fencers will compete at the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships this Sunday, March 8, at Walker Field House. The Brewers will be looking to build on a strong showing from last year’s regional meet, where several team members placed among the top finishers. The competition will showcase talent from across the Northeast, with fencers vying for a chance to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
The Vassar squad boasts a diverse group of competitors, with representation across all three fencing disciplines: foil, épée, and sabre. Seven first-year students will be making their regional debut, joining 14 Brewers who are returning for their second appearance at the event. The mix of experience and fresh talent is expected to provide a competitive edge for Vassar as they host the regional championships.
Walker Field House, renovated in 1999, will serve as the venue for the competition. The 42,250-square-foot facility features five tennis courts that are converted for multi-purpose use, including fencing, and is equipped with indirect lighting, according to Vassar College Athletics. Live streaming of the meet will be available at vassarathletics.com, and live results can be found on fencingtimelive.com.
Brewers Aim to Continue Regional Success
Last season, Vassar fencers demonstrated their skill at the NCAA Northeast Regional meet. Sophomore Alexander North earned a 12th-place finish in épée, while senior Brian Li finished 20th in the same discipline. Sophomore David Sagardi Diaz secured a 16th-place finish in sabre. These performances highlighted the team’s potential and set a high bar for this year’s competition. The team hopes to improve upon these results and send more fencers to the NCAA Championships.
Team Breakdown: Qualifiers by Weapon
The Vassar roster for the NCAA Northeast Regional is comprised of a balanced mix of talent across all three weapons. Here’s a breakdown of the qualifiers:
Women’s Foil
- Zoe North
- Sushama Gadiyaram
- Sarah Huynh
Women’s Épée
- Aanya Mukherjee
- Veronica Scherk
- Lela Mittman
- Nika Ungurianu
Women’s Sabre
- Mercer Colby
- Lily Paine
- Vivian Wei
- Abigail Geiger
Men’s Foil
- Ethan Capra
- Alexander Gobbo
- Kahlil Salome
Men’s Épée
- Alexander North
- Jing Seto
- Brian Li
- Harper Jamison
Men’s Sabre
- David Sagardi Diaz
- Oliver Berger
- Devan McCarthy
- Jason Jensby
- Luca Savoy
- Karthik Shankar
Looking Ahead: NCAA Championship Qualification
The NCAA Northeast Regional serves as a crucial stepping stone for fencers hoping to qualify for the NCAA Championships. The top finishers at the regional meet will advance to the national competition, where they will compete against the best fencers from across the country. The Vassar College fencing program has a history of success, and this year’s team is poised to make a strong push for national recognition.
The Sacred Heart University women’s fencing team recently competed at the NFC Championships, where Nadia Gaberkorn earned Northeast Fencing Conference All-Conference Second Team accolades, according to Sacred Heart Pioneers. This competition provides a glimpse into the level of talent that will be on display at the NCAA Northeast Regional.
Following the regional competition, the focus will shift to the NCAA Championships, where Vassar’s top performers will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage. The team’s dedication and hard work throughout the season have prepared them for this challenge, and they are eager to represent Vassar College with pride.
The NCAA Northeast Regional Championships promise to be an exciting event for fencing enthusiasts. With a strong field of competitors and a supportive home crowd, the Vassar College fencers are well-positioned to achieve success. Stay tuned to Vassar Athletics for updates and results from the competition.
Share your thoughts on the upcoming NCAA Northeast Regional Championships and cheer on the Vassar College fencing team in the comments below!
