Saturday, March 22
University Park, Pa.
All Day
Northwestern
at
NCAA Championships
Photo by: Kylie Barton
Three ‘Cats Earn All-America Honors At NCAA Championships
3/24/2025 4:00:00 PM | Women's Fencing
Northwestern places fifth overall amongst women’s programs
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (March 24, 2025) – Three Wildcats secured All-America accolades to lead Northwestern Fencing at the 2025 NCAA Fencing Championships this past weekend in University Park, Pa.
The Wildcats closed their two-day stay inside Penn State University's Multi-Sport Facility with 62 total victories, a tally that saw Northwestern finish fifth nationally amongst women's programs.
Gallery: (3-22-2025) Fencing at NCAA Championships
Amanda Pirkowski battled her way to a podium finish in the epee, as she capped off her collegiate career by placing seventh to secure a Second Team All-America nod. Now a two-time All-American for her career, Pirkowksi finished an impressive 16-7 record across 23 pool bouts. Karen Wang also represented Northwestern in the weapon, taking 16th in her third straight appearance at the national meet.
Daphne Chan Nok Sze capped off an impressive first-year campaign by taking 10th in the foil en route to being tabbed an Honorable Mention All-American. Chan Nok Sze, who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics prior to her arrival at Northwestern, picked up 13 pool victories. Fellow first-year Yukari Takamizawa placed 20th.
In the sabre, Natalie Shearer put the exclamation point on a standout debut season of her own with the 'Cats. Shearer piled up 11 head-to-head wins in pool action on the way to an 11th-place showing that also saw her named Honorable Mention All-America. Alex Chen also saw action in the weapon, finishing 20th overall.
A full listing of Northwestern's results from the NCAA Championships follows.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Women's Epee
7th – Amanda Pirkowski
16th – Karen Wang
Women's Foil
10th – Daphne Chan Nok Sze
20th – Yukari Takamizawa
Women's Sabre
11th – Natalie Shearer
20th – Alex Chen
UP NEXT
Northwestern will send student-athletes to USA Fencing's April North American Cup (NAC), April 11-14, in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Wildcats closed their two-day stay inside Penn State University's Multi-Sport Facility with 62 total victories, a tally that saw Northwestern finish fifth nationally amongst women's programs.
Amanda Pirkowski battled her way to a podium finish in the epee, as she capped off her collegiate career by placing seventh to secure a Second Team All-America nod. Now a two-time All-American for her career, Pirkowksi finished an impressive 16-7 record across 23 pool bouts. Karen Wang also represented Northwestern in the weapon, taking 16th in her third straight appearance at the national meet.
Daphne Chan Nok Sze capped off an impressive first-year campaign by taking 10th in the foil en route to being tabbed an Honorable Mention All-American. Chan Nok Sze, who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics prior to her arrival at Northwestern, picked up 13 pool victories. Fellow first-year Yukari Takamizawa placed 20th.
In the sabre, Natalie Shearer put the exclamation point on a standout debut season of her own with the 'Cats. Shearer piled up 11 head-to-head wins in pool action on the way to an 11th-place showing that also saw her named Honorable Mention All-America. Alex Chen also saw action in the weapon, finishing 20th overall.
A full listing of Northwestern's results from the NCAA Championships follows.
NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
Women's Epee
7th – Amanda Pirkowski
16th – Karen Wang
Women's Foil
10th – Daphne Chan Nok Sze
20th – Yukari Takamizawa
Women's Sabre
11th – Natalie Shearer
20th – Alex Chen
UP NEXT
Northwestern will send student-athletes to USA Fencing's April North American Cup (NAC), April 11-14, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Players Mentioned
Foil
/ Women's Fencing
Epee
/ Women's Fencing
Sabre
/ Women's Fencing
Foil
/ Women's Fencing
Epée
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