Feb. 22, 2006

DETROIT - By Wojciech Dudek, WSU Sports Information Student Assistant

The Wayne State University women's fencing team returns to action this Saturday at the Midwest Fencing Conference Championships, hosted by Notre Dame on Feb. 25.

WSU will compete against fencers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Michigan State, Cleveland State, Lawrence, Michigan, Detroit Mercy, Case Western Reserve and Chicago. The Warriors finished with a 12-10 record during the 2005-06 regular season..

Epeeist Anna Garina posted an outstanding 52-5 overall record this season. Garina is taking aim at her second Midwest Conference Championship, hoping to improve upon last year's third place finish. In 2005 MFC, Garina lost a semi-final bout to Kerry Walton (ND's three time All-American). Newcomer Justyna Konczalska had solid season posting 46-11 record. Konczalska is also one of the favorites to win an MFC medal. Alyse Schneider, a sophomore, is expected to improve last year's 13th place finish.

Lindsey Howard, a junior foilist, had an impressive season recording a 46-19 mark. Howard's MFC appearance will be her final test before the upcoming NCAA qualifications.

Sabre sophomore Kasia Kuzniak will fight for her first MFC medal. Kuzniak finished the season with a 49-13 record.

An impressive collection of fencing talent will compete at the 2006 MFC Championships, notably OSU epeeists Kaela Brendler (NCAA '04, '05 All-American) and Alexandra Obrazcova and Notre Dame epeeist Amy Orlando (NCAA '04 All-American, '05 Runner-up). Other fencers to watch (most are former NCAA participants) include: Northwestern foilists Jessica Florendo, Christina Wang and Sam Nemecek, NU epeeist Sharon Sullivan, ND sabre tandem of Valerie Providenza and Mariel Zagunis (the '04 Olympic gold medalist).