May 27, 2005

NEWARK, NJ - Daniel Au of Bedminster and Andrew Pancoast of Hackettstown have signed national letters of intent to continue their fencing careers at New Jersey Institute of Technology, NJIT head coach Janusz Mlynek announced today.

Au is a senior at Bernards High in Bernardsville, where he finished third in his district in individual competition as a senior, and led his foil squad to a third place finish in the 2004 NJSIAA State Foil Weapon Tournament. He is also a member of the Medeo Fencing Club. He intends to major in computer science at NJIT. Au is the son of Tom and Siu Au of Steeple Chase Court.

Pancoast had the best record among foilists for Hackettstown High, and helped it to a state tournament berth as a junior. This year, he was named captain of the foil squad. Last year, he finished fourth at the Junior Olympic qualifier. A three-time Morris County champion in bowling, Pancoast also plays golf and was a member of the marching band. A future computer science major, he is the son of Steven and Melanie Pancoast of Birch Lane.

Both Au and Pancoast have also competed in US Fencing Association competitions, and have earned national USFA ratings.

Fencing is one of the oldest varsity sports at NJIT with roots to the 1930s. The 2003-04 men's team posted a 5-8 won-lost record and set a school record by having six fencers qualify for NCAA regional competition. This year, the women's team qualified its first two fencers for post season competition.