Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Looking Back on a Record-Setting Season for Temple Fencing
4.5.17 | Women's Fencing
PHILADELPHIA - Temple fencing has a long history of being ranked in the Top 10 in Division I, but the Owls reached new heights in a record-setting 2016-17 season. Not only did the program achieve its highest-ever College Fencing 360 Coaches Poll ranking of sixth, the Owls also set a new record for wins in a season with 34, among numerous other accomplishments. With the season having concluded recently at the NCAA Championships, take a look back at the many highlights for Temple fencing this year.
Overall record: 34-9
Conference finish: 1st at NIWFA Championships
Honorable Mention All-America
Safa Ibrahim
All-NIWFA First Team
Kennedy Lovelace
Auset Muhammad
Ally Micek
Victoria Suber
All-NIWFA Second Team
Fiona Fong
» Temple finished 34-9 overall in dual meets, setting a program record for wins in a season and surpassing the previous record by six (28 wins in 2013-14).
» Temple set new program records for wins in all three weapons in addition to the overall team record.
» The Owls earned a program-high ranking of sixth in the College Fencing 360 Coaches Poll on March 10. They finished the season tied for eighth in the poll.
» Junior Safa Ibrahim earned the first All-America honor for the program since the 2014 season, finishing ninth in epee at the NCAA Championships to be recognized as honorable mention All-America.
» Temple had two individuals earn NCAA Championship berths, Ibrahim and freshman Kerry Plunkett (sabre) who finished 19th.
» The Owls had the maximum 12 fencers compete at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional, and had seven semifinalists including four finalists at the meet.
» The program captured its 21st straight NIWFA Championship title in early March, winning not only the overall team trophy but also squad trophies in foil and epee as well as an individual title for freshman Kennedy Lovelace in foil.
» Five Owls earned All-NIWFA honors. Lovelace, sophomore Auset Muhammad, sophomore Ally Micek and senior Victoria Suber all earned NIWFA First Team honors, while sophomore Fiona Fong earned All-NIWFA Second Team honors.
» Temple defeated top-ranked and previously undefeated Princeton University at its own Temple Invitational in late February, while also upsetting fourth-ranked Penn and finishing 4-1 overall.
»The Owls won a program-record 11 matches at the Northwestern Duals on Feb. 4-5, finishing at 11-1 overall and beating both No. 4 Ohio State and No. 9 Northwestern.
» Freshman Malia Hee finished the dual meet season at 70-13 overall, setting a sabre program record for wins in a single season, breaking the previous record set by All-American Kamali Thompson (55 wins in 2010-11).
» Lovelace also set a program record for single season wins in foil, going 77-37 overall. The previous record had stood for over 20 years, set by Jennie Salmon in 1993-94 (71 wins).
» In early January, Plunkett tied for third among 143 competitors in junior women's sabre at the North American Cup (NAC).
» Hee won an individual title at the Penn State Garret Open on Nov. 19, leading four top-10 finishers for the Owls including Plunkett who tied for third in sabre.
» Temple had 10 finalists at the 37th annual Temple Open on Oct. 29, including runner-up foilist Lovelace in her debut as an Owl.
» Ibrahim was named the Under Armour OwlSports.com Athlete of the Week on March 27. Plunkett earned the same honor on Feb. 27 as did Hee on Feb. 6.
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Overall record: 34-9
Conference finish: 1st at NIWFA Championships
Honorable Mention All-America
Safa Ibrahim
All-NIWFA First Team
Kennedy Lovelace
Auset Muhammad
Ally Micek
Victoria Suber
All-NIWFA Second Team
Fiona Fong
» Temple finished 34-9 overall in dual meets, setting a program record for wins in a season and surpassing the previous record by six (28 wins in 2013-14).
» Temple set new program records for wins in all three weapons in addition to the overall team record.
» The Owls earned a program-high ranking of sixth in the College Fencing 360 Coaches Poll on March 10. They finished the season tied for eighth in the poll.
» Junior Safa Ibrahim earned the first All-America honor for the program since the 2014 season, finishing ninth in epee at the NCAA Championships to be recognized as honorable mention All-America.
» Temple had two individuals earn NCAA Championship berths, Ibrahim and freshman Kerry Plunkett (sabre) who finished 19th.
» The Owls had the maximum 12 fencers compete at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional, and had seven semifinalists including four finalists at the meet.
» The program captured its 21st straight NIWFA Championship title in early March, winning not only the overall team trophy but also squad trophies in foil and epee as well as an individual title for freshman Kennedy Lovelace in foil.
» Five Owls earned All-NIWFA honors. Lovelace, sophomore Auset Muhammad, sophomore Ally Micek and senior Victoria Suber all earned NIWFA First Team honors, while sophomore Fiona Fong earned All-NIWFA Second Team honors.
» Temple defeated top-ranked and previously undefeated Princeton University at its own Temple Invitational in late February, while also upsetting fourth-ranked Penn and finishing 4-1 overall.
»The Owls won a program-record 11 matches at the Northwestern Duals on Feb. 4-5, finishing at 11-1 overall and beating both No. 4 Ohio State and No. 9 Northwestern.
» Freshman Malia Hee finished the dual meet season at 70-13 overall, setting a sabre program record for wins in a single season, breaking the previous record set by All-American Kamali Thompson (55 wins in 2010-11).
» Lovelace also set a program record for single season wins in foil, going 77-37 overall. The previous record had stood for over 20 years, set by Jennie Salmon in 1993-94 (71 wins).
» In early January, Plunkett tied for third among 143 competitors in junior women's sabre at the North American Cup (NAC).
» Hee won an individual title at the Penn State Garret Open on Nov. 19, leading four top-10 finishers for the Owls including Plunkett who tied for third in sabre.
» Temple had 10 finalists at the 37th annual Temple Open on Oct. 29, including runner-up foilist Lovelace in her debut as an Owl.
» Ibrahim was named the Under Armour OwlSports.com Athlete of the Week on March 27. Plunkett earned the same honor on Feb. 27 as did Hee on Feb. 6.
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Players Mentioned
Epee
/ Women's Fencing
Sabre
/ Women's Fencing
Epee
/ Women's Fencing
Foil
/ Women's Fencing
Epee
/ Women's Fencing
Foil
/ Women's Fencing
Sabre
/ Women's Fencing
Sabre
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