This season a new, young squad begins its fencing stint at Temple.

Along with the enthusiasm and determination of returning players, the

Owls expect a lot of growth over the next few years. "We will depend a

lot on our upperclassmen to share their knowledge, but everyone will be

expected to take on responsibility and set the tone for each other,"

coach Nikki Franke said.

Last season, both the foil and epee squads ended with a record of 20-4.

Both squads swept the NIWFA Championships for the fourth year in a row.

The sabre squad completed its first season with an 8-16 record. They

finished seventh in the NIWFA Championships.

"With the addition of eight newcomers, we are really excited about this

year," Franke said. "We are pleased with the strength of our schedule

and will be competing against a lot of strong schools. We have always

believed a strong schedule is very important for our success and the

best way to prepare for post-season play."

Foil

The three returning foilists who will anchor the squad are seniors

Jaime Beecher, Gina DeIeso and junior Stefanie Izzolino. Beecher and

DeIeso have qualified for the NCAA Championships the past three years

for the Owls. "I've come to depend on Stefanie and she has improved in

her consistency," Franke said. The foil squad will be the most

experienced of the three squads for the Owls. "With the addition of

freshmen Nerita Brumell who comes from the same high school as Jaime, we

expect very good skills in their first year."

Beecher finished with a 31-10 record last season. She finished second

in the NIWFA Championships, eighth in the NCAA Regional Tournament and

18th in the NCAA Championships. Beecher was the Temple Open Champion.

DeIeso completed last season with a 49-15 record. She finished eighth

at the NIWFA Championships, 10th at the NCAA Regional Tournament and

21st in the NCAA Championships.

Izzolino had a 48-18 record last season. She finished third in the

NIWFA Championships and 14th in the NCAA Regionals. Izzolino was the

NIWFA Christmas Invitational Tournament Champion and finished sixth at

the Temple Open.

Epee

The Owls lost most of their experience in the epee squad through the

graduation of Erica Wilder and Marta Knight. Junior Julia Korony is the

only member of the epee squad to return from last season. She qualified

for the NCAA Championships the past two years and finished 14th at

Nationals last year. "As the veteran of the group, she'll be looked upon

as a leader," coach Zoila Palacio said. Korony ended with a 57-12 record

last year and she is on track for a good record this season. Last season

Korony set a new individual school record for most victories in a season

with 57 and also had the highest winning percentage in school history,

.826.

Newcomers to the epee squad include Kristen Hachtmann, Sara Forsythe

and Stephanie Sargent. The three freshmen have high school fencing

experience and have been very successful, according to Palacio. "I

expect them to continue their success and I am really looking forward to

once they become adjusted to the college game," Palacio said. "As a

group they are very determined and extremely focused. We have a

tradition of excellence with Temple fencing and we intend to continue

that tradition this season."

Sabre

Sara Ironman, Nicole Macomber, Sakinah Shaahid, and Aziza Hassan will

lead the sabre squad this season. Ironman, a junior, ended last year

with a 33-33 record. She fenced epee as a freshman and sabre as a

sophomore. Sabre was a new weapon for her last year. She finished third

and earned All- Conference honors at the NIWFA Championships. "She

improved a lot and understands more now and will improve even more this

season," Palacio said. "Being the upperclassman, I expect her to lead

the squad."

Sophomore Nicole Macomber completed her first season of fencing last

year. She finished with a 27-39 record last season. Macomber was a

finalist at the NIWFA Christmas Invitational Tournament. "She is very

enthusiastic about this sport," Palacio said. "She attended a clinic

this summer which showed her enthusiasm. She will continue to improve

this year."

Shaahid and Hassan join the Temple fencing team for the first time this

year. They come with outstanding credentials, solid experience, are

aggressive and have a good work ethic, according to Palacio.