Fencing Ready To Roll At Nikki Franke Classic

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The UNC fencing teams are set for their second competition of the 2024 season, as they prepare to take part in the Nikki Franke Classic in Philadelphia this weekend. Kovacs Quote

Hosted by Temple University, the Nikki Franke Classic was named in 2023 for Dr. Nikki Franke, who retired as head coach of the Owls in 2022. She founded the Temple Fencing program in 1972 and turned the club team into a varsity sport.

After a successful first weekend at the October North American Cup, the Tar Heels are excited for more competition this weekend.

"It was a really good way to manage expectations and control our nerves," said senior Sophia Kovacs. "(The first weekend) helped me feel out how much work I've done over the offseason. I like to come out hot in the first meet and see what I can do."

Which she did. Kovacs placed sixth in the Division I Women's Sabre event at the NAC in Atlantic City, one of four Carolina fencers to place in the Top 16 or better in the first competition of 2024.

"Coach Sherif (Mohamed Elbakry) has done an excellent job of training us both physically and mentally," Kovacs added about her new assistant coach. "Along with head coach Matt Jednak, the team environment played a huge part in keeping us motivated throughout the tournament. All the work we've done preparing has been great."

A newcomer to the team and collegiate fencing in general, freshman Peter Bruk placed 14^th in the Junior Men's Foil event at the NAC and 32^nd in the Division I Men's Foil competition in Atlantic City, but rookie is even more excited for the future.

"Overall, it was a strong performance, and I felt all the support from my teammates, but I'm even more excited for this weekend. I'm looking forward to getting to go out and compete against other college student-athletes."

A native of Hoboken, N.J., Bruk cited mental toughness for the recipe for success.

"My mental fortitude played a role in the success I had in this first competition," he said. "I had a couple of bouts that were 15-14. There was one where I was down 14-12 and I found a way to win. That was definitely a bright spot."

After this weekend's competition in Philly, the Tar Heels will take on Duke in Durham on Nov. 2, and then return to Philly for the Elite Invitational Nov. 16-17 before the holiday break.

Teams Participating at Nikki Franke Classic
Bryn Mawr
Drexel
Duke
Fairleigh Dickinson
Haverford
Hunter
Johns Hopkins
Long Island
Navy
New York University
NJIT
Sacred Heart
Stevens
Swarthmore
The College of New Jersey
Florida
Pennsylvania
Wagner
North Carolina
Penn State
Boston College
Temple

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Players Mentioned

Peter Bruk

Sophia Kovacs