KANSAS CITY, Mo. (January 12, 2026) – In the Wildcats' first action of 2026, No. 5 Northwestern fencing's sabre squad secured a third-place finish at USA Fencing's Junior Olympics this past weekend in Kansas City, Mo.
Competing in the Junior Team Women's Sabre, the trio of Nisha Hild, Elaine Lu, and Sophia Schiminovich picked up three head-to-head victories inside the Kansas City Convention Center en route to securing a spot on the podium. Following a razor-thin 45-43 setback in the semifinal round, the 'Cats closed the event on a high note, downing Absolute Fencing & Fitness Academy, 45-36, to claim bronze.
In the individual section of the weapon, Hild and Schiminovich stormed to perfect 6-0 marks in pool action ahead of the tableau. Both went on to notch a victory apiece in direct elimination, with Hild finishing 34th, while Schiminovich checked in 39th. Lu came away with a win of her own in the tableau en route to placing 57th.
Angelica Xiong and Natasha Lee represented Northwestern in the Junior Women's Epee, placing 39th and 42nd, respectively. After both posting 5-1 marks in pool action, Xiong and Lee tallied wins in the Round of 128 in the tableau.
Bridgette Ouyang carried the banner for the 'Cats in the Junior Women's Foil, finishing 73rd overall.
A full listing of Northwestern's results from the Junior Olympics follows.
Junior Women's Epee
39th – Angelica Xiong
42nd – Natasha Lee
Junior Women's Foil
73rd – Bridgette Ouyang
Junior Women's Sabre
34th – Nisha Hild
39th – Sophia Schiminovich
57th – Elaine Lu
Junior Team Women's Sabre
3rd – Nisha Hild, Elaine Lu, Sophia Schiminovich
UP NEXT
Northwestern dives back into dual competition at the Tufts Invitational in Medford, Mass. on Sunday, January 18.
Competing in the Junior Team Women's Sabre, the trio of Nisha Hild, Elaine Lu, and Sophia Schiminovich picked up three head-to-head victories inside the Kansas City Convention Center en route to securing a spot on the podium. Following a razor-thin 45-43 setback in the semifinal round, the 'Cats closed the event on a high note, downing Absolute Fencing & Fitness Academy, 45-36, to claim bronze.
In the individual section of the weapon, Hild and Schiminovich stormed to perfect 6-0 marks in pool action ahead of the tableau. Both went on to notch a victory apiece in direct elimination, with Hild finishing 34th, while Schiminovich checked in 39th. Lu came away with a win of her own in the tableau en route to placing 57th.
Angelica Xiong and Natasha Lee represented Northwestern in the Junior Women's Epee, placing 39th and 42nd, respectively. After both posting 5-1 marks in pool action, Xiong and Lee tallied wins in the Round of 128 in the tableau.
Bridgette Ouyang carried the banner for the 'Cats in the Junior Women's Foil, finishing 73rd overall.
A full listing of Northwestern's results from the Junior Olympics follows.
Junior Women's Epee
39th – Angelica Xiong
42nd – Natasha Lee
Junior Women's Foil
73rd – Bridgette Ouyang
Junior Women's Sabre
34th – Nisha Hild
39th – Sophia Schiminovich
57th – Elaine Lu
Junior Team Women's Sabre
3rd – Nisha Hild, Elaine Lu, Sophia Schiminovich
UP NEXT
Northwestern dives back into dual competition at the Tufts Invitational in Medford, Mass. on Sunday, January 18.