History of the Program

Fencing at the Univerity of Florida goes back decades. The competitive side of the sport became more refined when Coach Bruce Capin took over the program in the fall of 1998. Since then, the team has been increasingly competing on the NCAA, regional, and national levels (Divisions 1, 1A, II, III of the United States Fencing Association). Many members of Florida Fencing strive to be increasingly competitive in national circles of fencing. The club has designated a specific membership class to support these members and their goals. Ninety-nine percent of all fencers walk on with no prior experience. UF prides itself on taking students who wish to become competitors and turn them into athletes. Florida's record speaks for itself. If a student-athlete wants to excel in the sport of fencing, the possibilities are unlimited as long as the individual is willing to work hard.

2002 - 2003 Recap

Last year was a good one for the University of Florida men and women's fencing programs. The men earned two medals at the United States Cup events: David Goldsmith in men's epee (October 2002 in Orlando, FL) and Donald Yeh in men's saber (March 2003 in Arlington, TX). In the National Collegiate Championships held April 5-6 at UF, the men took 4th place overall, winning a silver medal in individual foil (David Goldsmith) and 3 medals in team events: (silver in men's saber, bronze in men's epee, and bronze in men's foil).

The women began the season with much youth and inexperience. A good class of women recruits led to the women's team upsetting Northwestern in women's epee at the team meet held in January at Ohio State. The highlight of the season however was the first National Collegiate Club Fencing Championships held at the University of Florida. Eighteen teams competed in men and women's team and individual events. The women won the first ever championship, edging out the University of New Hampshire and rival UMASS. Darby Proctor won the women's individual title in epee.

In the Southeast Regionals, Gator fencers medalled in men's foil (David Goldsmith, 7th place) and women's epee (Darby Proctor, Individual Champion, Katrina Cass, 4th place, and Susan Brink, 7th place). Proctor is UF's third individual champion!

2003 - 2004 Outlook

Men

The men's team will need to rebuild in foil having graduated two of the four starters, David Goldsmith and Amir Rubin. Leading men's foil will be Jeff Popelka, who will enter his third year of competition. Popelka is aiming for a medal in both the men's Division III United States Cup and at the National Collegiate Championships in April.

The entire men's epee squad returns with three seniors leading the way to what should be a productive year. The squad should medal at the Collegiate Championships and both Carlos de la Rosa and Matt Williams are favored to win medals at the United States Cup events.

Men's saber lost one veteran to graduation, but enters the season with more depth than in the past few years. The improvement should make the squad competitive on the collegiate level. UF's best hope for a medal at the Temple Collegiate Open will be Jeremy Fowler and Julian Andrews. Fowler is a fourth-year vet who just missed a medal in the United States Cup last fall. Both Fowler and Andrews should make the Gators tough to beat.

Women

The women's foil team will look forward to defending its national title in 2004. The squad will be the strongest since the team became competitive in 1998. Eight veterans return including Kelly Crandall, Katie Keathley, and Katey Creel. Women's foil will be in position to medal at the National Collegiate Championships, US Cup, and National Intercollegiate Women's Fencing Championships.

Women's epee begins the year with an entirely new squad. Last year, the Gators graduated three veterans, two of whom were members of the National Intercollegiate Women's Fencing Championships silver medal winning team (Darby Proctor and Katrina Cass). The team will recruit heavily in this weapon. On a positive note, Cass and Proctor joined the team in 1999 under the same conditions.

The women's saber squad will bring more experience in 2003. Last season was a good recruiting year in the weapon, and the Gators should enjoy more depth this season. The Gators graduated one and return four women saberists. Taylor Artel will occupy the top position having barely missed the final in her first National Intercollegiate Women's Fencing Championships at Steven's Tech in March 2003.

Captains

Team and squad captains lead the competitive membership. These captains ensure the smooth running of practice and provide support for their team and squads. The Team and Men's Squad Captains were elected by the active membership on April something, 2003. The Women's Squad Captains were elected by the active membership on November 19, 2003.

Team Captains
Carlos de la Rosa	Katie Keathley

Squad Captains
Women's Epee	Women's Foil	Women's Sabre
Leigh Schrimpf	Katey Creel	Taylor Artel
Men's Epee	Men's Foil	Men's Sabre
Matt Williams	Jeff Popelka	Jeremy Fowler

Concerning NCAA Status

The University of Florida Department of Athletics was considering the addition of women’s fencing as a varsity sport. We have received numerous letters of support from NCAA teams, among them Stanford, Notre Dame, Temple, UNC, and Penn State. If fencing was chosen, competition was set to begin Fall 2003. Although the decision was not in our favor, both men’s and women’s teams would like to thank all the coaches and teams who have supported our efforts whether in writing or by competition invitations.