Veltrup Places 5th, Mastromarino Takes 7th at NCAA Men’s Fencing Championships

Paul Veltrup finished fifth, while freshman Fabio Mastromarino placed seventh in men's épée at the 2026 NCAA Men's Fencing Championships, hosted by the University of Notre Dame.

Head Coach Michael Bindas reflected on the team's performance following the championships:
"At the 81st NCAA Fencing Championships, the épée field was one of the toughest competitions. Our guys were able to finish in the top third and both earned All-American honors. Not even fencers who have already been to the Olympics were able to finish as high as our guys did in this event. I am proud of our dynamic duo for the energy they brought and how hard they fought for each touch in every bout."

Veltrup, a native of Grefrath, Germany, competed in his third NCAA Championships and earned All-American honors with his fifth-place finish in men's épée. He also garnered First Team All-Region recognition and placed fourth at the 2026 NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional. A key member of the MACFA Championship-winning men's épée squad, Veltrup also captured an individual bronze medal at the conference championships.

He opened the season with a gold medal at the 2025 Coach Nikki Franke Classic and concluded the year with an impressive 93–14 record, posting an 86.92 winning percentage.

Mastromarino, a native of Pistoia, Italy, competed in his first NCAA Championships and secured All-American honors with a seventh-place finish in men's épée. He earned First Team All-Region accolades and captured a silver medal at the 2026 NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional. Mastromarino also helped lead the men's épée squad to a team title at the 2026 MACFA Championships and began his collegiate career with a silver medal at the 2025 Coach Nikki Franke Classic.

For the season, Mastromarino compiled a 57–6 overall record, good for a 90.48 winning percentage.