Nov. 6, 2007

The 2007-2008 Stanford fencing team is looking to build on the momentum it gained from last season. The Cardinal will return an experienced squad, only losing one from last year's roster. They remain confident in their ability to defend their Western Regional Championship title and improve their ninth place NCAA Championship finish.

"We have a strong class of veterans returning," said head coach Lisa Milgram, "along with a great group of freshman joining them."

The women's team, with a 2006-2007 final mark of 8-6, will return six fencers from last year's squad. Three of these six returners qualified and competed for Stanford at the NCAA Championships and led the Cardinal to another Western Regional Title. The team is going to depend on upper class experience and the growth of younger competitors in 2007-2008.

In her years competing on the Farm, Eva Jellison has earned the Western Regional Women's Sabre Champion title for two consecutive years and is ranked in the top-15 fencers in the nation. Jellison's strong tenth place finish at the 2006-2007 NCAA Championships helped contribute to the team's ninth place finish and her second All-American honor. She ended last season with a remarkable record of 40-2, a 95.2 winning percentage. Jellison's experience and strong marks make her a valuable member of the fencing squad, and a leader in 2008.

Returning Junior, Brittany Leader has proven herself as a consistent and valuable component to the Stanford fencing program. She placed second at the Western Regional Championships, taking runner-up honors behind fellow Cardinal, Eva Jellison. Leader finished 17th at the NCAA Championships in the women's epee division and is nationally and internationally ranked. She was a top performer for the Cardinal is 2007 with a 34-8 record and is expected to perform in 2008.

Returning sophomore, Jessica Wacker, finished her rookie season with a successful 31-3 record. She was the only freshman on the women's side to qualify for the NCAA Championships where she placed 21st in the foil competition. Wacker is expected to be a key component this season.

The team has three other key returners who will provide the depth and talent Stanford needs in 2008 including, Elaine Huspeni, Sarah Parker, and Sophia Alberts-Willis. The Cardinal adds three accomplished freshman to their 2007-2008 women's squad, including Kersten Schnurle and Katherine Lynch in Epee, and Rachel Becker in Foil.

The men's fencing team will return nine members from its 2006-2007 squad, which ended last season with a dominant 13-2 overall mark. The squad returns four of last year's NCAA Championship competitors, bringing experience and skill into 2007-2008.

"The men were strong, are strong and will stay strong," said Milgram.

Richard Fulton is the only senior on the squad for 2008. Fulton chalked up 19 wins last season, which helped qualified him for NCAA Championships for his second consecutive year. He finished 14th at the Championships last season which was an improvement on his 17th place finish as a sophomore. Fulton's experience as a Cardinal and expertise in competition will help him lead the Men's Foil team in 2008.

Junior Dan Tucker and sophomores Phil Arredondo and Julian Jennings-White are other Foil competitors returning to the farm this season. Tucker has been a successful competitor for Stanford chalking up 20 wins last season and 24 wins as a rookie. Arredondo started on the farm with a strong rookie season in 2006-2007. He qualified for the NCAA Championships and after a strong performance finished 20th. Other rookie competitor, Jennings-White chalked up 16 wins last season and gained significant competition experience. Fulton, Tucker, Arredondo and Jennings-White will be joined by freshman Alex Koshnevissan to make an experienced and unbeatable Men's Foil squad in 2008.

Returning to the farm this season, Teddy Levitt and Chris Lowman are looked upon to bring leadership to the Men's Sabre team. Levitt was a top male performers at the NCAA Championships last season, finishing 14th. Lowman gained experience in 2007 by fencing in 27 competitions and chalking up 12 wins. Joining the Cardinal Sabre team, freshmen Max Murphy and Lucas Janson bring the intensity needed for the 2007-2008 season.

Men's Epee brings back Clayton Kenney, Sergey Levine and Reese Rogers. These returners along with the addition of rookie, Jon Spivack, are preparing to take on USAFA at Western Regional this upcoming season.