Princeton University Athletics
Soren Thompson Wins Gold Medal in Epie Competition
March 23, 2001 | Men's Fencing
March 23, 2001
Kenosha, Wisc. - Freshman Soren Thompson (San Diego, Calif.) ended his incredible freshman season by winning the gold medal at the NCAA men's fencing championships in Kenosha, Wis. on Friday night. Thompson defeated Penn State's Adam Wiercioch 15-12 in the finals after defeating St. John's Alex Roytblat in the semifinals, as the Princeton men's team finished in sixth place with 59 points.
Thomspon, who finished the regular season with a 23-3 record in dual-meet competition and a perfect 12-0 Ivy League mark, had finished fifth at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regionals two weekends ago. He also won the ?p?e title at the IFA championships, winning all seven of his bouts in the final round.
Thompson becomes Princeton's second freshman NCAA champion in as many years, following EVA Petschnigg '03 (women's foil) to the gold-medal step on the winner's podium. He is Princeton's first male champion since 1996, when Max Pekarev won the sabre competition, and the eighth fencer in Princeton history to win an NCAA individual championship.
Competition continues on Saturday and concludes on Sunday afternoon as the women's team will try to improve Princeton's points standing. The Tigers have finished in the Top 10 at the NCAA championships for eight consecutive years, finishing fourth or fifth six times during that span.
Results:
Ep?e: 1. Soren Thompson (Gold Medal, NCAA Champion) 21. Mitch Slep
Foil: 14. Eric Stodola 16. Dustin Reagan
Sabre: 16. Terry Kim 19. Ed Chou
Team Standings after Day 2: 1. St. John's 106 2. Notre Dame 92 3. Penn State 86 4. Stanford 67 5. Columbia/Barnard 64 6. Princeton University 59