News Summary
This weekend, the University of Pennsylvania’s fencing teams delivered an impressive performance at the Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational in Philadelphia. The men’s team, ranked #7 nationally, achieved a perfect 5-0 record, while the women’s team ranked #8, secured four victories. The event showcased top collegiate fencing talent from across the nation, with more action scheduled for Sunday as teams battled for dominance in pursuit of fencing excellence.
PHILADELPHIA – Fencing teams from across the nation converged in Philadelphia this weekend for the Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational, with the host University of Pennsylvania programs showcasing a strong performance on the first day. The nationally ranked Quakers secured nine wins on Saturday, January 17, as the men’s team achieved a perfect 5-0 record and the women’s team added four victories. The invitational continues through Sunday, January 18, bringing together a competitive field of collegiate fencers.
Day One Highlights: Penn’s Dominance and National Competition
The University of Pennsylvania’s men’s fencing team, ranked #7 nationally, opened the 2026 season with an undefeated run, triumphing over Haverford (17-10), UC San Diego (20-7), NYU (16-11), Lafayette (24-3), and Sacred Heart (24-3). Their foil and saber athletes delivered flawless performances, winning every matchup in their respective weapons. This strong start moved the men’s team to an 11-2 season record.
The #8 ranked Penn women’s team also had a successful day, notching four commanding wins against Haverford (26-1), NYU (22-5), Lafayette (23-4), and Sacred Heart (24-3). Their saber athletes were particularly strong, winning all overall saber meetings and contributing to the team’s seven wins for the season.
The event, hosted at the Tse Center, marks the beginning of the competitive year for many programs. Among the teams participating on Saturday were the #1-ranked New York University (NYU) men’s and women’s fencing teams. Haverford College’s Men’s Fencing also battled against a challenging roster of nationally ranked Division I programs.
Continuing Action on Sunday
The Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational is set to conclude on Sunday, January 18, with more matchups at the Tse Center, starting at 8:30 a.m. Ohio State will be among the teams competing on Sunday, with their schedule including a bout against Penn State. Wagner College’s women’s fencing program is also scheduled to participate in the invitational on Sunday.
Other notable participants in the two-day event include Cornell, FDU, NJIT, Temple, UC San Diego, and Yale. UC San Diego’s Triton fencing team, with their men ranked #15 nationally, faced a demanding schedule, competing against multiple ranked opponents over the weekend. The Triton women’s team, in particular, had a strong showing, achieving a 7-2 record over the weekend and securing significant victories against #8 Penn and #14 Temple. Their win against Penn was noted as the first in program history.
The Legacy of Coach Dave Micahnik
The invitational is named in honor of David Micahnik, a distinguished figure in the sport of fencing and a former long-serving coach for the University of Pennsylvania fencing program. The university’s fencing facility, the Coach Dave Micahnik Fencing Center, was dedicated in November 2013, providing a state-of-the-art home for the Penn men’s and women’s fencing teams. The center spans 10,000 square feet and features 14 fencing strips, each equipped with an electronic scoring system, along with team rooms, an armory, and coaches’ offices.
Micahnik, who passed away on January 4, 2025, at the age of 86, had a remarkable career at Penn, serving as head fencing coach from 1973 until his retirement in 2010. During his tenure, he accumulated 722 career wins and led the Quakers to 20 Ivy League championships, evenly split between the men’s and women’s teams. His coaching also resulted in NCAA team titles for the men in 1981 and the women in 1986, and he coached six individual NCAA champions for the men’s team. Prior to his coaching career, Micahnik was a three-time Olympian, competing in the individual and team épée events at the 1960, 1964, and 1968 Summer Olympics. He was also the 1960 U.S. National Champion in épée and an inductee into the United States Fencing Association Hall of Fame.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational?
A: The Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational is a collegiate fencing competition hosted by the nationally ranked University of Pennsylvania fencing programs in Philadelphia, typically at the Tse Center.
Q: When did the 2026 Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational take place?
A: The 2026 Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational took place from Saturday, January 17, through Sunday, January 18.
Q: Which teams participated in the 2026 Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational?
A: The 2026 Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational featured teams including the University of Pennsylvania, NYU, Haverford, UC San Diego, Lafayette, Sacred Heart, Ohio State, Wagner, Cornell, FDU, NJIT, Temple, and Yale.
Q: What were some key results from the first day of the invitational?
A: On Saturday, January 17, the University of Pennsylvania men’s team achieved a 5-0 record, while the Penn women’s team secured 4-2. UC San Diego’s women’s team had a strong showing, earning a 7-2 record for the weekend, including a historic first-ever win against #8 Penn.
Q: Who was Dave Micahnik?
A: Dave Micahnik was a distinguished American fencer and a former head fencing coach for the University of Pennsylvania for 37 years, from 1973 to 2010. He was a three-time Olympian and a U.S. National Champion.
Q: What is the Coach Dave Micahnik Fencing Center?
A: The Coach Dave Micahnik Fencing Center is the 10,000-square-foot home of the University of Pennsylvania men’s and women’s fencing programs, featuring 14 fencing strips and dedicated facilities. It was dedicated in November 2013.
Key Features of the Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Event Name | Dave Micahnik Penn Invitational | Nationwide |
| Host University | University of Pennsylvania | State-level |
| Location | Tse Center, Philadelphia, PA | State-level |
| Dates (2026) | January 17 (Saturday) – January 18 (Sunday) | Nationwide |
| Host Team Performance (Day 1) | Penn Men: 5-0 record; Penn Women: 4-2 record | State-level |
| Facility Name | Coach Dave Micahnik Fencing Center | State-level |
| Facility Features | 10,000 sq ft, 14 fencing strips with electronic scoring | State-level |
| Honoree | David Micahnik (Former Penn Fencing Coach, 3-time Olympian, U.S. National Champion) | Nationwide |
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