USAF Academy, Colo. (Nov. 23)- Two weeks after the OSU Elite Invitational, the Denison women's fencing team traveled out to Colorado to compete in the Western Invitational, hosted by the Air Force. Facing another weekend of tough competition, the Big Red finished the two-day invitational with a record of 2-5. Participating in this year's invitational were Air Force, #8 (Div. III) Brandeis, #2 Columbia, #3 (Div. III) Denison, Incarnate Word, #5 Northwestern, #6 Ohio State, #9 Stanford, UC San Diego, and Tufts. 

 

Day One (Nov. 22)

Denison started the weekend with a closely contested loss to fellow Division III opponent Tufts, falling to the Jumbos in the first round 15-12. With the sabres falling 5-4, the foil squad coming out on top 5-4, and epee falling 6-3. After a bye in the second round, the Big Red fell to Stanford 23-4 in round three. The sabre squad dropped its bouts 8-1; foil lost 9-0; and epee tallied three wins in its 6-3 loss.

Still looking for their first win of the weekend in the fourth round, Denison came up short against Air Force, falling to the invite's host 14-13. Sabres defeated the Falcons 6-3, the foil squad put the Big Red up by four after defeating Air Force 5-4. Unfortunately for Denison, the Air Force came roaring back against the epee squad, defeating the Big Red 7-2 to take the one-bout victory.

Denison earned its first team victory of the day after defeating the University of Incarnate Word 18-9. Sabre fell to the Cardinals 5-4, while both the foil and epee squads defeated their opponents 7-2. The Big Red would complete day one in the win column, after defeating #8 Brandeis 17-10. The sabre squad picked up a 6-3 victory, while the foil squad dominated with an 8-1 victory. Despite a tough 6-3 loss in epee, Denison held strong across all three weapons to complete day one with a 2-3 record.

Day Two (Nov. 23)

Denison had a tough go on day two, falling to Columbia 22-5 in round two. The sabres fell to the Lions 6-3, while both foil and epee lost 8-1.  In round three, the Big Red faced UC San Diego, the Tritons defeated Denison 23-4, with sabre falling 6-3, foil losing 9-0, and epee falling 8-1.

Despite a 2-5 record, Denison, facing a grueling schedule against many of the top teams in the country, approached each round with grit and resolve, fighting to the end against every opponent. 

FOIL	Tufts	Stanford	Air Force	UIW	Brandies	Columbia	UC San Diego
W-26  L-37	W-5-4	L- 9-0	W-5-4	W-7-2	W-8-1	L- 8-1	L- 9-0
EPEE	Tufts	Stanford	Air Force	UIW	Brandies	Columbia	UC San Diego
W-20  L-43	L- 6-3	L- 6-3	L- 7-2	W-7-2	L- 6-3	L- 8-1	L- 8-1
SABRE	Tufts	Stanford	Air Force	UIW	Brandies	Columbia	UC San Diego
W-27  L-36	L- 5-4	L- 8-1	W-6-3	L- 5-4	W- 6-3	L- 6-3	L- 6-3
Team Score	Tufts	Stanford	Air Force	UIW	Brandies	Columbia	UC San Diego
W-73 L-116	L- 15-12	L- 23-4	L- 14-13	W- 18-9	W- 17-10	L- 22-5	L- 23-4

 

Notable Performances:

Epee finishes: Freshman Tessa Randleman was the team MVP for the weekend with a 9-11 performance, including a 2-1 record against Tufts, Air Force, and Brandeis, and a win against Columbia. 

Foil finishes: Senior Velma Hall led the foil squad with an 8-11 record, including a 2-1 record against Tufts, Air Force, Brandeis, and a win against Columbia.

Sabre finishes: Senior Natalie Isberg led the sabre squad with an 8-10 record, including a perfect 3-0 record against Brandeis and a 2-1 record against a stacked Columbia squad. 

Up Next for the Big Red:
Denison will be back in action on Saturday, January 17, for the Denison Open. Stay tuned in for more details.