STANFORD, Calif. – The Stanford fencing team begins the 2018 season Sunday by hosting the Western Invitational. The eight-team competition, which also determines the men's and women's Western Fencing Conference Championship, begins at 9 a.m. PT at the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation.
Also participating are the United States Air Force Academy, Caltech, Florida, Northwestern, the University of Incarnate Word, Vassar and UCSD. Teams will compete in a round robin format and admission is free.
Both Cardinal squads won league crown last year.
"On the men's side, I think our biggest challenge will come from UC San Diego," said Cardinal co-head coach Lisa Posthumus. "On the women's side, Northwestern is always strong."
A prominent face will be missing this season, as two-time NCAA foil champ, four-time All-American, and two-time Olympian Alexander Massialas has graduated.
"They're kind of ready for it," Posthumus said of her group. "Everyone knew it was coming. He didn't train that much with us, but gave us guaranteed points. We're going to have to be on the ball and pick up the slack."
The men's contingent is led by junior Sean Strong, junior Tristan Krueger and sophomore Robin Cheong in epee, junior Jeffrey Dalli in sabre, and senior Darren Mei in foil. Freshman Lucas Orts should also make an impact in foil.
At last year's Collegiate Fencing Championships, Strong finished 15th, Krueger 21st, Dalli 23rd, and Mei 24th.
Junior captain Carly Weber-Levine heads the women's squad in sabre and placed a team-best 11th last year at the Collegiate Fencing Championships. Other top returnees are sophomore Amanda Han in epee and junior Claire Zau in sabre. Han finished 17th at the 2017 national championships.
Freshman Madeline Liao should also be a force in foil.
The Western Invitational is the only home meet for the Cardinal this season.
"It rotates every four or five years," said Posthumus. "It's the best opportunity for family and friends to watch us compete."
For results, visit GoStanford.com.
The Cardinal claimed 10th last year at the Collegiate Championships and has recorded a top 10 finish in 11 of the last 12 seasons.
| Downstairs | Strip 1-5 | Strips 6-10 | Strips 11-13 | |
| Round 1. 9:00-10:00 | UCSD v Vassar | UIW v USAFA | CIT v FLORIDA | Stanford v Northwestern |
| Round 2. 10:00-11:00 | CIT v UIW | Stanford v. Vassar | UCSD v USAFA | Northwestern v Florida |
| Round 3. 11:00-12:00 | Vassar v USAFA | Stanford v Florida | UCSD v CIT | Northwestern v UIW |
| Lunch | ||||
| Round 4 12:30-1:30 | Florida v UIW | Stanford v USAFA | Vassar v CIT | Northwestern v UCSD |
| Round 5. 1:30 - 2:30 | USAFA v CIT | Stanford v UIW | Florida v UCSD | Northwestern v Vassar |
| Round 6 2:30-3:30 | UIW v UCSD | Stanford v CIT | Florida v Vassar | Northwestern v USAFA |
| Round 7. 3:30-4:30 | Florida v USAFA | Stanford v UCSD | UIW v Vassar | Northwestern v CIT |