Charlton Elevated to Head Coach of Wellesley Fencing

WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Bethany Ellis, Director of Athletics and Chair of the PERA Department, has announced that Rob Charlton has been elevated to Head Coach of the Wellesley College fencing program.

Charlton, who has been with the Blue fencing program since 2002, served as interim head coach during the 2019-20 season, leading the Blue to a program-record 24 victories and the team's second consecutive NEIFC Three-Weapon Team Championship.

"I'd like to thank Bethany for giving me the opportunity to prove myself as the interim head coach and my appointment as head coach," said Charlton. "But most of all, I'd like to thank the team for their camaraderie, hard work, effort and patience. They made my first season at the helm one I'll always appreciate."

Charlton guided the Blue to a 24-7 record in all team competitions in 2019-20. Wellesley qualified 11 fencers for NCAA Regionals and placed third in the Northeast Fencing Conference (NFC) with a 9-3 record. Charlton and assistant coaches Andrew Fischl and Elif Soyer Sachs earned NFC Women's Team Coaching Staff of the Year. The honor was the second consecutive for the Blue and Charlton.

Charlton also earned the honor as a member of the Blue coaching staff in 2008-09. Prior to Wellesley, Charlton was an assistant coach at Tufts University, including the 1998-99 season when Tufts was named the NFC Coaching Staff of the year.

"We're now known as a top D3 program and we are attracting very talented fencers from all over the world," said Charlton. "I'm excited about adding more fencers to our wonderful team dynamic. I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens in the coming years and continuing our success!"

The Blue have enjoyed the strongest consecutive years in program history over the past two seasons, with 21 fencers qualifying for NCAA Regionals, back-to-back NEIFC team championships, and seven NFC All-Star selections. And despite the challenges that will face colleges and athletic departments this fall, Charlton is ready for the upcoming season.

"Even though some of us will be apart in the fall, we will all be together in this," said Charlton. "I'm really looking forward to the time when we can get back to our normal routine, but in the meantime I literally cannot think of a group of people who are more equipped to support each other and handle this adversity. I've always been impressed by and astounded with the people I've coached at Wellesley and I'm sure this year will be no different."

Wellesley Athletics strives for excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels, while providing opportunities for students to achieve their potential and learn the values of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and responsibility to oneself and others.