PHILADELPHIA — The 2026-27 college fencing season gets underway this weekend at Temple University, where the Coach Nikki Franke Classic brings a field of top programs to the Liacouras Center for two days of individual competition.
Women take the strip Saturday, with epee and foil starting at 8:30 a.m. and saber at noon. The men follow Sunday on the same schedule. The preseason event, once called the Temple Open, now carries the name of the longtime Temple coach.
Boston College arrives looking for an individual champion at the meet for a third year running. Elijah Onik won the foil title a year ago, and the Eagles posted 13 top-15 finishes. BC is coming off a record season in which five fencers reached the NCAA championships and the men placed second at the ACC championships, the best result in program history.
Penn State will use the weekend to break in a young roster, with 14 Nittany Lions set to fence in college for the first time. The group includes newcomers in every weapon on both the men and women sides, along with a few returning sophomores who competed at last year’s event.
Live results will be posted through the Fencing Time Live service during both days of competition.
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