Fencing Announces Team Awards

UNC fencing coach Matt Jednak has announced team awards for outstanding performance during the 2019-20 season. A total of six Tar Heels were recognized three categories: MVP, Most Improved and Rookie of the Year.

MVP
Beni Rabinowitz, men's sabre
Rabinowitz, a sophomore from Charlotte, N.C., led UNC with a fourth-place finish at NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regionals and qualified for NCAA Championships for the second year in a row. He was a finalist for UNC's Rammy Award for Male Individual Performance.

"Beni had a great season and a very strong showing at Regionals," Jednak said. "I'm saddened he didn't have a shot at Nationals this year, but I know it will only fuel him to have an even stronger year next season."

Sophia Mandour, women's foil
Mandour, a freshman from Baltimore, qualified for NCAA championships after finishing 11^th at Regionals. She placed seventh at ACC Championships.

"Sophia started the season with a bang," Jednak said. "She pushed through injury and still grew steadily to become a more complete fencer. She is poised to have a great sophomore year."

Most Improved
Anders Hartmark, men's foil
Hartmark, a sophomore from Baltimore, was 13^th at NCAA Regionals.

"Anders worked extremely hard all year long," Jednak said. "He was asked to step into a leadership role this year and excelled at this challenge as well as becoming a very reliable part of our foil squad."

Claire Harmon, women's epee
Harmon, a sophomore from Puyallup, Wash., placed 14^th at ACC Championships and 25^th at NCAA Regionals.

"Claire was a pleasure to work with this year," Jednak said. "She was able to take critique and ask the right questions to help enhance her game. She was asked to play outside of her comfort zone and was able to do so with a substantial growth in her game."

Rookie
Connor Head, men's foil
Head, a freshman from London, England, placed 17^th at NCAA Regionals and 14^th at ACC Championships.

"Connor joined our team with extensive international competitive experience," Jednak said. "He was able to adjust to the NCAA format and be an invaluable part of our team on and off the strip."

Abigale Parker, women's sabre
Parker, a freshman from Westfield, N.J., was ninth at NCAA Regionals, the highest UNC finish by a women's team member. She was 10^th at ACC Championships.

"Abby had a strong Summer National competition before entering her first year," Jednak said. "She has been an amazing teammate and a fierce competitor all season. She started to hit her stride at the end of the year and I was very excited to see her growth throughout the year."

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University of North Carolina Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Claire Harmon

Anders Hartmark

Connor Head

Sophia Mandour

Abigale Parker

Beni Rabinowitz

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