EVANSTON, Ill. (April 21, 2023) – For the third time in as many seasons, Northwestern Fencing head coach Zach Moss has been selected as the Central Collegiate Fencing Conference (CCFC) Women's Team Coach of the Year, it was announced on Friday. Additionally, assistant coach Dennis Kolakowski was named the Women's Team Assistant Coach of the Year by the conference. This marks the second time that the duo has swept the women's team coaching honors after first accomplishing the feat in 2021.
Now in his seventh season in charge in Evanston, Moss piloted the 'Cats to a 43-13 finish in 2022-23, including a thrilling 19-8 win over top-ranked Notre Dame at the Northwestern Duals on February 4 inside Ryan Fieldhouse. The 'Cats earned runner-up finishes in each weapon at the CCFC Championships, while also placing second in the team event as eight student-athletes took home All-CCFC honors. Four Wildcats went on to earn All-Region distinction at the NCAA Midwest Regional.
Moss, who also coaches Northwestern's epee squad, helped lead first-year Karen Wang to a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, the top finish by a CCFC women's epeeist at the national meet, as the 'Cats finished seventh overall in the women's team race. Wang was honored as an Honorable Mention All-American.
Kolakowski, who is in his third season on the Northwestern staff, helped guide the Wildcats' sabre squad to a 46-10 record on the year. Under Kolakowksi's guidance, Northwestern qualified two sabreists to the NCAA Championships, with first-year Megumi Oishi finishing 10th overall. Like Wang, Oishi was secured Honorable Mention All-America accolades.
Now in his seventh season in charge in Evanston, Moss piloted the 'Cats to a 43-13 finish in 2022-23, including a thrilling 19-8 win over top-ranked Notre Dame at the Northwestern Duals on February 4 inside Ryan Fieldhouse. The 'Cats earned runner-up finishes in each weapon at the CCFC Championships, while also placing second in the team event as eight student-athletes took home All-CCFC honors. Four Wildcats went on to earn All-Region distinction at the NCAA Midwest Regional.
Moss, who also coaches Northwestern's epee squad, helped lead first-year Karen Wang to a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, the top finish by a CCFC women's epeeist at the national meet, as the 'Cats finished seventh overall in the women's team race. Wang was honored as an Honorable Mention All-American.
Kolakowski, who is in his third season on the Northwestern staff, helped guide the Wildcats' sabre squad to a 46-10 record on the year. Under Kolakowksi's guidance, Northwestern qualified two sabreists to the NCAA Championships, with first-year Megumi Oishi finishing 10th overall. Like Wang, Oishi was secured Honorable Mention All-America accolades.