Seven Highlanders Named to USFCA 2020 Mid-Atlantic/South All-Region Teams
The United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) has announced the 2020 NCAA Fencing Mid-Atlantic/South All-Region teams, which was released by the organization Wednesday.
These awards are determined based on result and field size at each of the NCAA Regional Competitions.
Seven Highlanders were named to the All-Region Team: Brett Bogert (Honorable Mention, Men's Epee), Robert Hondor (Honorable Mention, Men's Epee), Kevin Katayama (Honorable Mention, Men's Foil), Thomas Manley (Honorable Mention, Men's Foil), Dominika Pawlowska (Honorable Mention, Women's Epee), Paloma Almodovar (Honorable Mention, Women's Foil) and Dorottya Berczy (Honorable Mention, Women's Saber).
"We are very proud of these athletes who have been recognized," head coach Jason Henderson added. "As a growing program it is no small feat to stand shoulder to shoulder with several of the perennial powerhouse teams in our region. The regional championship is a grueling four-round event and this recognition is a testament to the hard work and determination these athletes have shown all season long. We had several exciting performances by the newcomers to our program, and I am very excited to see their continued development next season."
Thomas Manley (Honorable Mention, Men's Foil)
Manely, from Farmers Branch, TX, was named to the USFCA 2020 All-American team, earning honorable mention accolades.
He recorded a 10th place finish at the 2020 Mid-Atlantic/South Regional Fencing Championships.
Manley placed third in the men's foil at the 2020 MACFA Championships, which saw the Highlanders capture its second consecutive title, going undefeated on the foil strip while finishing the season with a 44-21 overall record.
Brett Bogert (Honorable Mention, Men's Epee)
Bogert placed 12th at the 2020 Mid-Atlantic/South Regional Fencing Championships (seeded No. 19). He was tied for third in men's epee at the 2020 MACFA Championships and finished the 2019-20 season with an overall record (39-26); 60% winning percentage.
Robert Hondor (Honorable Mention, Men's Epee)
Hondor paced the NJIT men's fencing team, placing ninth in the men's epee event (seeded No. 8) at the 2020 Mid-Atlantic/South Regional Fencing Championships. He was tied for third in men's epee at the 2020 MACFA Championships, combining for an overall record (49-24); 67% winning percentage.
Kevin Katayama (Honorable Mention, Men's Foil)
Katayama represented NJIT, placing 11th (seeded No. 13) at the 2020 Mid-Atlantic/South Regional Fencing Championships. He recorded an overall record (46-32); 59% winning percentage, including a 12-6 record at the Eric Solle Invitational. And 8-2 mark at MACFA B Round Robin.
Dorottya Berczy (Honorable Mention, Women's Saber)
Berczy, from Budapest, Hungary, was named to the USFCA 2020 All-American team, earning second team honors as a freshman.
She was the top finisher for NJIT in the women's saber event at the 2020 NCAA Regionals, earning an 11th place finish, in her first season at NJIT.
Berczy went a perfect 9-0 at the LIU Invitational, 12-3 at the Elite Invitational, 13-2 at the Philadelphia Invitational and 14-4 at the Eric Sollee Invitational.
Pawlowska led the NJIT women's fencing team, placing ninth (seeded No. 15) in the women's epee event at the 2020 Mid-Atlantic/South Regional Fencing Championships.
She notched a 15-3 record at the Eric Solle Invitational and 5-1 mark at the Stevens Invitational while combining for a 25-14 overall mark in her first season as a Highlander.
Paloma Almodovar (Honorable Mention, Women's Foil)
Almodovar placed 10th (seeded No. 15) at the 2020 Mid-Atlantic/South Regional Fencing Championships.
She went 14-4 at the Eric Sollee Invitational and recorded 10 wins at the Elite Invitational, combining for a 32-16 overall record (67% winning percentage).
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