Galpin, Van Den Bergh Place in Top 15

3/9/2009 3:13:07 PM

Katie Galpin and Alex Van Den Bergh each used great early performances to reach the final round of the NCAA Middle Atlantic and South Regional Fencing Championships, held at Drew. First-year epee Katie Galpin finished in 14th place overall while Van Den Bergh took 12th in the men's epee tournament. Both the men's and women's tournament had four of the USFCA/NCAA Fencing Top Ten teams at the event. Penn State dominated the meet with four of the gold medalists.

Along with Galpin, epee teammate Naomi Bocarsly fenced well, advancing past the first round before placing 22nd overall. The Rangers had only one other woman compete as the squad was decimated by injury and illness. Alicia Rapp took 17th in women's saber.

Van Den Bergh highlighted the men's performance. Fellow sophomore Bagley Wright placed 16th in men's foil. Joren Madsen took 22nd in that weapon. The men's saber team was, unfortunately, hampered by illness. Sulia Mason was not his usual self in bowing out in the first round while Bardya Shirmohammadi did better in placing 16th.