History of Cornell Fencing
Resilence and Excellence
Cornell has excelled in fencing since its founding in 1898. Men's Varsity fielded a team every year through 1993 (except during World War I). Cornell became a national power in the 1930s under head coach Georges Cointe, competing in the Intercollegiate Fencing Association. They clinched the IFA three-weapon championship in 1955, and that same year Richard Pew represented Cornell on the world stage, placing fourth in the 1956 Olympics.
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Women’s fencing at Cornell was established in 1929 and quickly rose to prominence. The University hosted the first Intercollegiate Women’s Fencing Association championship in 1929; the Women's Varsity Team claimed the national crown in 1930 and 1931. They also earned national titles from 1967-69 under the direction of Michel Sebastiani and in 1972 and 1973 under Raoul Sudre. Head coach Graeme Jennings lead the team to consecutive NIWFA championships starting in 1991. Today, Cornell continues its strong tradition in women’s fencing, with Coach Ariana Klinkov leading the team since 2019. Assistant Coach Dan Bass and Director of Operations Holly Buechel joined the Big Red in 2024.
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At the end of the 1993 season, Cornell rescinded the the men’s varsity status. Ever resilient, the team reinvented itself as a student-run Men's Club Team and now comprise the official Practice Squad for the Women's Varsity. They compete in the collegiate club circuit, medaling frequently at both the United States Association of Collegiate Fencing Clubs (USACFC) championships and in the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association (MACFA). As a team, they have won the Men's Combined Weapon at USACFC three times.
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The fencing community at the University has grown beyond the Women and Men's competitive teams. Cornell alum and students created the Recreational Club for students looking to enjoy the art and sport of fencing in a relaxed and friendly environment.​ The Cornell Fencing Association was founded in 2015 by a group of Cornell fencers and alumni (in partnership with the Athletic Department, Coaching Staff, and the Athletic Alumni Affairs Department) to encourage, promote, and support the fencing program at Cornell University.