Dec. 7, 2006

NEWARK, NJ - New Jersey Institute of Technology's Estelle and Zoom Fleisher was the site for the 74th annual NIWFA Christmas Invitational fencing competition held on December 3.

The event, sponsored by the National Intercollegiate Women's Fencing Association, involved competition in three weapons among 159 fencers representing 17 colleges and universities. The all-day event included competition in the foil, sabre and epee.

Schools represented were: CCNY, Drew, Fairleigh Dickinson, Florida, Hunter, Johns Hopkins, Marist, Maryland, NJIT, Queens, Smith, Stevens, Stony Brook, Temple, Tufts, Virginia, and Yeshiva.

In the epee, won by Erica Galarza of Fairleigh Dickinson, the Highlanders were represented by Amanda Vota. In the foil, won by Temple's Nina Gernes, Felicia Amaechi of NJIT placed 26th. In the sabre, won by another Temple fencer, Kristine Jones, the Highlanders had two competitors. Jennifer Olsztyn finished in 31st place and Nicole Facundo was 42nd.

The Christmas Invitational is an individual event for collegiate women hosted by the NIWFA on the first Sunday in December. Each member college/university may enter a maximum of six foil, six epee and six saber fencers in the annual event.

The competition in each weapon is conducted in a round robin format to a final of six fencers. Fencers eliminated in the first round compete in a consolation round. Each entrant is thereby provided with at least two rounds of fencing competition. The six finalists are awarded Julia Jones Medals. The Evelyn Terhune Trophy is presented to the winner of the foil event. The first-place epeeist is awarded the Betty Santelli Trophy and the saber champion, the NIWFA Trophy.