Cornell women’s fencing will send four student-athletes to the 2026 National Collegiate Fencing Championships, scheduled for March 19-20 at the Castellan Family Fencing Center in Notre Dame, Indiana.
The event is significant as it brings together 144 competitors from 26 institutions, highlighting the level of competition and achievement required to qualify. Representing Cornell are senior Ketki Ketkar (épée), junior Isabela Carvalho (saber), junior Samantha Marsee (saber), and freshman Lana Lee (foil).
Ketkar enters the championships as the Ivy League individual épée champion. She earned a silver medal at the NCAA Northeast Regional at Vassar after going 10-1 in the round of 12 and holds a season record of 51-16 with an .857 winning percentage in Ivy competition.
Carvalho and Marsee qualified for nationals following a notable saber performance at regionals, where Cornell placed four fencers in the finals for the first time in any weapon. Marsee secured bronze with a 7-4 record in the round of 12 and has a season record of 32-20. Carvalho finished fourth overall with a record of 42-22 and a .656 winning percentage. Lee leads Cornell’s foil group with a season record of 69-41.
The championships feature individual events across three weapons: épée, foil, and sabre. Competitors will fence in round-robin five-touch bouts, with top finishers advancing to semifinals contested over fifteen touches. Team standings are determined by points accumulated during round-robin competition.
The participation of these athletes marks another milestone for Cornell women’s fencing as they compete on a national stage.
