News Summary
The Ivy League Fencing Championships kicked off at Princeton’s Jadwin Gymnasium, revealing intense competition. Columbia dominated with a 4-0 record, while Princeton and Harvard closely followed, both remaining undefeated. The performances set a thrilling stage for the championship’s final day, highlighting strong showings from individual fencers across multiple weapons. The University of Pennsylvania struggled, ending Day One in seventh place. Matchups on the final day promise excitement as the conference champions are determined.
PRINCETON, N.J.
Columbia, Harvard, and Princeton Lead After Thrilling First Day of Ivy League Fencing Championships
The 2026 Ivy League Fencing Championships commenced on Saturday, February 7, at Princeton University’s Jadwin Gymnasium, with the women’s competition showcasing intense rivalries and stellar performances. Columbia University emerged as the dominant force of Day One, completing a flawless 4-0 run, positioning them firmly atop the standings. Host Princeton and Harvard also maintained undefeated records, both standing at 3-0, setting the stage for a captivating “Championship Sunday.” The University of Pennsylvania wrapped up its initial bouts, currently holding seventh place after facing tough competition.
Columbia Sets a High Bar
The Columbia women’s fencing team displayed exceptional form throughout Saturday’s rounds, securing victories in all four of their matchups. Their impressive wins included a 24-3 rout over Brown, an 18-9 triumph against the University of Pennsylvania, a 21-6 decision over Cornell, and an 17-10 win against Yale. The Lions’ women’s foil squad was particularly strong, achieving a remarkable 33-3 record on the opening day. Columbia is now in a strong position in its quest for a potential 15th Ivy League women’s title.
Undefeated Princeton and Harvard Follow Closely
Both Princeton and Harvard demonstrated their championship aspirations by remaining undefeated on the first day. Princeton secured three victories, overcoming Penn with a 21-6 score, narrowly defeating Yale 14-13, and besting Brown 21-6. Harvard also achieved a 3-0 record, with significant wins against Cornell (17-10), Brown (21-6), and Penn (23-4). These three unbeaten teams—Columbia, Harvard, and Princeton—are poised for crucial matchups on Sunday that will significantly influence the final championship outcome.
Penn Navigates Challenging Opening Day
The University of Pennsylvania women’s fencing team faced a challenging start to the championships, concluding Day One in seventh place. The Quakers experienced defeats against strong opponents, falling to Columbia (18-9), Princeton (21-6), Harvard (23-4), and Yale (16-11). Despite the team’s overall standings, juniors Grace Hu and Victoria Kuznetsov provided notable individual performances, both currently tied for ninth place in the epee category.
Other Teams’ Performances
Yale finished Day One with a 1-2 record, securing a 16-11 victory over Penn but falling to Princeton (14-13) and Columbia (17-10). Brown also recorded one win, a 14-13 decision against Cornell, but sustained losses to Columbia (24-3), Harvard (21-6), and Princeton (21-6), placing them fifth with a 1-3 record. Cornell, seeded fifth, had a tough opening day, losing all their matches on Saturday, including bouts against Columbia (21-6), Harvard (17-10), and Brown (14-13).
Individual Standouts Shine Across Weapons
Individual fencers delivered exceptional performances on Day One. In women’s saber, Yale’s Sophie Liu achieved a perfect 9-0 record, taking the lead in the event. Harvard’s Zoe Kim (7-1) and Princeton’s Honor Johnson (6-1) also demonstrated strong saber performances. The women’s foil category saw four fencers remain undefeated with 9-0 records: Jessica Guo of Harvard, Maia Weintraub of Princeton, Emily Jin of Harvard, and Carolina Stutchbury of Columbia. Guo currently holds the first-place tiebreaker among them. In women’s epee, Cornell’s Ketki Ketkar stands out, holding the sole first-place position with an 8-1 record. Princeton’s Hadley Husisian also had a strong showing in epee with a 7-1 record.
Championship Sunday Awaits
The 2026 Ivy League Fencing Championships will conclude on Sunday, February 8, with the remaining rounds determining the conference champions. The day promises thrilling matchups, including a highly anticipated bout between Harvard and Columbia at 9 a.m. Princeton will aim to maintain its unbeaten streak against Cornell, and later face Harvard at 10:30 a.m. and Columbia at 12:45 p.m. Brown is scheduled to compete against Yale at 9 a.m. and Penn at 10:30 a.m. The University of Pennsylvania is set to close out its championship participation on Sunday. These final contests will determine which team claims the coveted Ivy League title.
Frequently Asked Questions
What event is this article about?
What event is this article about?
This article is about the first day of the 2026 Ivy League Fencing Championships.
Where are the 2026 Ivy League Fencing Championships being held?
Where are the 2026 Ivy League Fencing Championships being held?
The championships are hosted at Princeton University’s Jadwin Gymnasium in Princeton, N.J.
When did the first day of the championships take place?
When did the first day of the championships take place?
The first day of the championships took place on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
Which women’s teams are undefeated after Day One?
Which women’s teams are undefeated after Day One?
Columbia (4-0), Harvard (3-0), and Princeton (3-0) are all undefeated after Day One of the women’s competition.
How did the University of Pennsylvania women’s fencing team perform on Day One?
How did the University of Pennsylvania women’s fencing team perform on Day One?
The University of Pennsylvania wrapped up the first day in seventh place after experiencing defeats against Columbia (18-9), Princeton (21-6), Harvard (23-4), and Yale (16-11).
Are there any notable individual fencers mentioned from Day One?
Are there any notable individual fencers mentioned from Day One?
Yes, Sophie Liu (Yale) leads women’s saber with a 9-0 record. Jessica Guo (Harvard), Maia Weintraub (Princeton), Emily Jin (Harvard), and Carolina Stutchbury (Columbia) are all undefeated in women’s foil. Ketki Ketkar (Cornell) leads women’s epee with an 8-1 record.
When do the championships conclude?
When do the championships conclude?
The 2026 Ivy League Fencing Championships conclude on Sunday, February 8.
Key Features of the 2026 Ivy League Fencing Championships (Women’s Day One)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | 2026 Ivy League Fencing Championships |
| Host Venue | Jadwin Gymnasium, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J. |
| Day One Date | Saturday, February 7, 2026 |
| Current Leaders | Columbia (4-0), Harvard (3-0), Princeton (3-0) |
| University of Pennsylvania Standings | Seventh place |
| Top Sabre Fencer (Day One) | Sophie Liu (Yale) – 9-0 record |
| Top Foil Fencers (Day One) | Jessica Guo (Harvard), Maia Weintraub (Princeton), Emily Jin (Harvard), Carolina Stutchbury (Columbia) – all 9-0 records |
| Top Epee Fencer (Day One) | Ketki Ketkar (Cornell) – 8-1 record |
| Championship Conclusion | Sunday, February 8, 2026 |
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