Season Outlook: Women's Fencing Well-Prepared ::

Owlsports Sports Information

(Dec. 18, 1998) -- Last season, the foil team ended with a 17-3 record while the epee squad finished 16-4. The Owls swept the NIWFA Championship for the second year in a row and hope to defend their title again this year.

With the collegiate fencing experience of returning seniors, Lisa Delaney and Sarah Powell (Powell was a finalist at the Mid-Atlantic/South Regional Championships), two juniors and three sophomores, the coaches are looking for the entire team "to work together and perform top notch against this season's competition," according to Franke. In addition, recruiting efforts have brought the Owls five student-athletes with high school experience, including a Southeast Epee Champion.

Foil

Leading the squad are sophomores Jaime Beecher, Gina DeIeso, Junior Cathy DeMarco and senior Lisa Delaney. Beecher, who made her debut at the NCAA Championships, ended the season with a record of 55-13. This year, Beecher hopes to make her second appearance to the NCAA Championships. Her best performance last season was at the NIWFA Championships where she placed third. She also placed ninth in the Penn State Open, third in the NIWFA Xmas Invitational Tournament in Epee and sixth in the NCAA Regional Championships.

Sophomore Gina DeIeso fenced both foil and epee last season, but will concentrate on foil this year. DeIeso made her debut appearance in the NCAA Epee Championships finishing in 14th place. DeIeso completed her season with a 38-14 record and was the 1998 epee champion at the NIWFA Championhsip. She was also fifth in the NCAA Regional Championship. Delaney, a Mid-Atlantic/South Regional Quarter Championship finalist, was 32-15 record last season. Her best finish was at the NIWFA Xmas Invitational where she placed fifth.

Junior Cathy DeMarco, had an impressive sixth place finish last season at the NIWFA Tournament. She was also a finalist at the Mid-Atlantic/South Regional Championship. With her experience and determination, she hopes to better her 32-15 record.

Three newcomers join the foil squad this season. Freshman Erica Hughes, a 1998 Junior Olympics qualifier, Stefanie Izzolino, the New Jersey State Champion and Eva Parker, a high school MVP last year.

Epee

The Owls will begin their sixth season of epee competition this year. "I think the team will do well this season because we have hard working, experienced fencers." Palacio said.

The epee squad is led by senior Sarah Powell, who ended her 97-98 season with a 41-28 record. "With three years under her belt, Powell is expected to be a tremendous leader," Palacio said. She was a finalist at the NCAA Regional Championship and won the epee event in the NIWFA Xmas Invitational.

Junior Erica Wilder "has come a long way," according to Palacio. "She was a walk-on, and has developed into a highly skilled fencer." Wilder ended the season with a 38-14 record, placed second in the NIWFA Championship and was a semi-finalist at the Mid-Atlantic Southern Regional Championships.

Sophomore Marta Knight anticipates improving her 37-25 record this season. "I can see a tremendous improvement in her fencing. She trained hard this past summer and I'm sure her dedication will pay off," Palacio said. Knight placed seventh in the NIWFA Xmas Invitational and 13th place in the NCAA Regional Championships Invitational.

Two newcomers join the epee squad this season. Freshman Julia Korony, the Southeast Champions and Sara Ironman.

Sara Ironman, second in the Long Island County Fencing Championship, should provide Franke with a strong base.

Sabre

For the first time ever, women will be using the sabre weapon this season in preparation for the 1999-2000 collegiate season. Sabre is being introduced as an exhibition sport and will be included in the NCAA championships next year. With the addition of sabre, there will be three weapon squads of three fencers each competing in 27 bouts. "We are excited about this opportunity to have women participate in all three weapons and we welcome the challenge," Palacio said.

1998-99 Schedule and Outlook

Once again, the Temple Owls will face some of the strongest, nationally ranked collegiate fencing teams in the country. The Owls will face national powers, Penn State, Princeton and Notre Dame. Also on the schedule this year is Wayne State, Rutgers, Ohio State, and St. John's.

Temple begins its 27th season by hosting the traditional Temple Open on October 31. The team will once again compete at the NIWFA Christmas Invitational held at Farleigh Dickinson University on Dec. 6. This year, the squad will travel to face off against Midwestern teams like Northwestern and Cleveland State in late January. The team is looking forward to defending its title Feb. 27 at the NIWFA Championships and qualifying for the NCAA Regional and National Championships.

"I am very pleased with our schedule and it is very important for the team to see who the tough competition is," Franke says.

Both coaches are excited about the season and are looking for the returning players to lead the team and help the newcomers adjust to collegiate level fencing.