March 2, 2002
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Coming into the Midwest Fencing Conference Championships, the No. 6 Northwestern women's fencing team had three consecutive titles to defend. On Saturday, they were edged out for a fourth by tournament host, No. 2 Notre Dame.
NU's ep?e squad finished first for the third time in four years, led by All-American Kate Rudkin (Boulder, Colo./Boulder). The junior defeated the Fighting Irish's Kerry Walton, 5-3, to move the 'Cats past Notre Dame and into the final where they blanked Ohio State 5-0.
The foil squad placed second, dropping 5-3 in the final to Notre Dame. NU had won the foil title in 2001. To reach the final, the squad defeated both Michigan and Michigan State 5-0.
An unfortunate injury hampered the sabre squad, which finished fourth. Freshman Lauren Van Geison (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee earlier this week and only fenced two bouts. Freshman Lauren Dunn (Sacramento, Calif./Del Camp) took two bouts from Notre Dame and split against Ohio State, 1-1, but it was not enough to buoy the sabre squad.
This marks the fifth year in a row the Wildcats have finished either first or second at the conference championships.
The individual championships, which have no bearing on the team scores, will get underway Sunday at 8 a.m.