WALTHAM, Mass. - The Brandeis University women's fencing team was named Northeast Fencing Conference champions for 2010. Juniors Anna Hanley of Medford, Mass., and Emma Larkin of Montclair, N.J., were named first team All-Conference, while rookies Vikki Nunley of Glen Gardner, N.J., and Zoe Messinger of Short Hills, N.J., received second team honors.
For saberist Hanley, this is her second time making First Team. Last year, she was named Fencer of the Year, going 29-0 in NFC matches and 77-25 against varsity schools in the 2008-2009 season. This year, she was named the UAA Athlete of the Week after going 13-2 at the 2009 Brandeis Invitational in December. Overall, she has gone 22-3 in the Northeastern Fencing Conference, and has an overall record of 54-17 against varsity teams.
This is epeeist Larkin's first mention from the NFC. Her season started out strong at the Big One Tournament, in which she took home the bronze medal. She continued with her outstanding performance throughout the season, being named in January as a UAA Athlete of the Week after she clinched the 14-13 victory over Brown that allowed the Brandeis women to bring home the Conference crown, and going 11-1 for the day. Overall, Larkin has gone 26-3 against NFC teams, and has an overall record of 55-25 for the season.
Nunley, a foil fencer, began well this season, carrying the foil squad against many of the team's toughest opponents. At the Eric Sollee Invitational this January, Nunley posted a 12-2 record for the day. She went 3-0 against #8 ranked UPenn, Haverford, and Air Force Academy, while she clinched the 14th win for the women against rival school NYU. In the NFC, her record is 28-6, with a season record of 60-25, posting the most wins on the team.
Messinger, also a saber fencer, went undefeated at the first Northeast Conference meet at Brown University, helping to defeat opponents MIT and Sacred Heart. At the Duke Invitational, she carried the saber squad against UNC, going 3-0 and allowing the team to win 15-12 against them. At the Eric Sollee Invitational, she posted a 9-2 record, going 5-0 in the final three matches. Her NFC record is 19-5, and her overall season record is 42-29.
The Brandeis Women's Fencing team took home the Conference crown with a record of 12-0 for the season, narrowly defeating Brown University 14-13 to gain the title. This is their second straight Conference Championship. This Sunday, the Judges will travel to Brown to compete in the NCAA Regional championships, hoping to qualify for the national collegiate championships at Harvard University.
Hanley is a 2007 graduate of Lexington Christian High School. She is the daughter of Tim and Terry Hanley, Medford, Mass.
Larkin is a 2007 graduate of Montclair Kimberly Academy. She is the daughter of Christopher and Linda Larkin, Montclair, N.J.
Nunley is a 2009 graduate of Vohrees High School. She is the daughter of William and Rosialia Nunley, Glen Gardner, N.J.
Messinger is a 2009 graduate of Millburn High School. She is the daughter of Robert and Hillary Messinger, Short Hills, N.J.
For more information on Brandeis women's fencing, please visit our web site at http://www.brandeisjudges.com/sports/winter/wfencing/.