Kenosha, Wisconsin (March 28) - The Temple women's fencing team had an impressive

seventh place finish among women's teams at the NCAA National

Championships held

this past weekend, March 24 and 25 at the University of

Wisconsin-Parkside

in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Sophomore Sakinah Shaahid led the way for the Owls with a fourth place

finish in the sabre competition. Shaahid faced defending NCAA Champion

Caroline Purcell of M.I.T. in the bronze medal match. The outstanding

performance earned Shaadid NCAA First Team All-American honors. Coach

Franke commented on

Shaadid's play saying "it was especially nice for Sakinah because this was

her first year on the sabre squad. Until this year, epee has been her

primary weapon."

Temple's foil squad also had a strong showing at the championships.

Seniors Jamie Beecher and Gina DeIeso finished 12th and 18th respectively.

Beecher also

was named a NCAA Third Team All-American.

Rounding out the championships was the Epee squad. Junior Julia Korony

had an impressive result in a very strong field finishing 15th while

freshman Sara Forsythe placed 23rd.

Both Coach Franke and Coach Palacio were very pleased with the team's

results. " Considering the high level of fencing in the NCAA's, every bout

is very tough, but our fencers never give up. The first day of competition

everyone struggled a bit but the second day they really fenced

well and out performed their opponents. It was nice to see all the hard

work they put in throughout the year pay off in the end."