GRANVILLE, Ohio (April 9, 2024) – Following the conclusion of NCAA Championships, the head coaches of the Central Collegiate Fencing Conference selected honorees for the Men's and Women's Team Head Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year awards, and Denison University's Rhys Douglas was selected as the Women's Team Assistant Coach of the Year for the second time in the last three seasons.

Coach Douglas, serving as the sabre squad coach with Denison, helped lead both the overall team and the sabre squad to a third-place finish at the Central Collegiate Conference Championships. It was the third straight third-place finish for the sabre squad and was Denison's second straight overall third-place team finish at the Central Collegiate Conference Championships. Coach Douglas previously received Women's Team Assistant Coach of the Year recognition during the 2021-22 season after the sabre squad's first third-place finish at the conference championships.

Coach Douglas steered the Big Red sabreists individually to strong records on the season. Freshman Joyce Yu led the way with a 43-28 record, placing 14th at CCFC's and 12th at NCAA Regionals, and garnering both all-conference and All-American (Div. III) status. Sophomore Natalie Isberg was not far behind with a 39-29 record, a 16th-place finish at CCFCs and a 13th place finish at regionals. Isberg was also named all-conference and All-American (Div. III). Sophomore Joanna Passalaris also boasted a 60-percent win rate with her 29-19 record and placed 13th at CCF'Cs. Sophomore Molly Hormel finished the season with a 17-13 record and a 16th-place finish at NCAA Regionals. Team Captain, Delaney Brown, had a 36-45 record and placed 15th at CCFC's and 18th at regionals. Senior Paige Cromwell went 9-4 on the season and placed 20th at CCFC's, and freshman Corvus Endo started the season strong with a 23-5 record before breaking his leg during winter break.

2023-24 was Coach Douglas' third full season as Denison's assistant women's fencing coach. He also serves as the Head Men's Club Coach.

Coach Douglas brings 20 years of fencing experience to the Big Red programs. In that time, he has competed on the international stage in all three weapons. He competed at the highest level in sabre, representing Team USA at the Junior World Championships in 2011. As a member of The Ohio State University men's fencing varsity team, he won the 2012 NCAA Team Championship, was a three-time Midwest Conference team champion, and a three-time individual Midwest Conference champion.

"We are lucky to have Coach Douglas," Head Coach Peter Grandbois commented, "He not only brings a wealth of experience but a passion and drive second to none. Congratulations to Coach Rhys Douglas."