Posted: May 11, 2023

Wellesley Fencing Sweeps USFCA Division III Newcomer of the Year Awards; Charlton Named Division III Coach of the Year

Wellesley fencing won USFCA Division III Newcomer of the Year in foil, epee, and saber, as well as Division III Coach of the Year (Frank Poulin)

WELLESLEY, Mass. - The United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) announced the winners of the 2022-23 Collegiate Awards on Thursday, with Wellesley College fencing earning three Division III Newcomer of the Year awards, a Division III Coach of the Year honor, and one additional recognition for excellence in communication.

Representing men's and women's programs, the USFCA presents both overall National Collegiate awards and Division III awards. All awards were determined by a nationwide vote of USFCA member fencing programs.

First years Gina Huang (Taipei, Taiwan), Grace Xu (Toronto, Ontario), and Sharon Huang (Toronto, Ontario) were named the Division III Newcomers of the Year in foil, epee, and sabre respectively.

G. Huang won 51 dual match bouts in foil this past season, including 22 Northeast Fencing Conference (NFC) wins, and made the semifinals to finish 18th in foil at the NCAA Northeast Regional.

Xu earned 74 dual match victories as a first year in epee, with highlights including winning the gold medal at the New England Intercollegiate Fencing Conference (NEIFC) and making the quarterfinals of the NCAA Northeast Regional to finish 26th in epee at the Northeast Regional.

S. Huang triumph in 71 dual match bouts this past season, which included a perfect 12-0 performance at NFC Conference Meet No. 3, in addition to earning the silver medal in sabre at the NEIFC Championships.

Wellesley fencing Head Coach Rob Charlton earned the Division III Coach of the Year honor following a season that included 27 dual match victories, a tie for third place in the NFC season against the top Division I fencing programs in the Northeast, a second place finish at the NEIFC Championships that saw Xu win the gold medal in epee as well as silver medals in both epee and sabre, and 12 Blue fencing members qualifying for the NCAA Northeast Regional.

Additionally, Assistant Director of PERA Communications Josh Podolsky received the Excellence in Communications Recognition Award, presented to those individuals who provided strong communications, support, and/or press coverage of NCAA fencing throughout the 2022-23 season.