Jan. 15, 2007

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern's women's fencing team competed at the USFA North American Cup (Div. I/Jr.) in Columbus, Ohio over the weekend. Freshman Christa French (Southlake, Texas/Carroll) was NU's top finisher, placing second in the junior division of women's epée. Sophomore Sam Nemecek (Caledonia, Mich./Caledonia) placed third in foil.

Along with Nemecek in junior foil, freshman Meredith Baskies (Lynnfield, Mass./Boston University Academy) placed 46th.

In Division I foil, senior Jessica Florendo (Forest Hills, N.Y./The Dwight School) tied for 27th, while Baskies placed 62nd. Nemecek finished 67th and Natalie Wang (Milpitas, Calif./Presentation) was 105th. There were 130 entries in Division I.

In epée, Kayley French (Southlake, Texas/Carroll), Christa's twin sister, placed sixth in the junior division. Classmate Joanna Niklinska (Granger, Ind./Penn) placed 11th, while Sarah Henning (New Berlin, Wis./Catholic Memorial) finished 35th. Sophomore Megan Ross (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel Area) placed 74th.

The French sisters also grabbed NU's top two spots in epée's Division I level. Christa placed seventh and Kayley 10th. Niklinska was the next closest Wildcat, tied for 58th. Senior Courtney DuBois (Chatham, N.J./Oak Knoll) placed 61st, while classmate Sarah Gravlee (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) finished tied for 79th.

In sabre, senior Sophie Eustis (Andover, Mass./Concord Academy) was NU's lone participant, placing 43rd. Junior Gina Annunziato (Bernardsville, N.J./Bernards) placed 72nd.

The `Cats are next in action when they travel to Haverford, Pa., for the Haverford Duals on Jan. 20.