University of North Carolina Athletics
Freshman Allegra Parker earned All-America honorable mention by placing 10th in women's epee at the NCAA Championship.
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Tar Heels Sixth At NCAA Championships
March 28, 2021 | Fencing
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – North Carolina finished sixth overall at the 2021 NCAA Fencing Championships, which wrapped up Sunday at Penn State's Bryce Jordan Center. Eleven Tar Heels competed and three came back with All-America honors.
In men's sabre, the Tar Heels had two in the top 10, with junior Beni Rabinowitz sixth to earn second-team All-America recognition and freshman Alec Mulvaney ninth to earn honorable mention.
In women's epee, freshman Allegra Parker placed 10th and earned honorable mention.
The men competed on Thursday and Friday and the women on Saturday and Sunday.
"Day 1 was hit the ground running, a little bumpy here and there," UNC coach Matt Jednak said. "Day 2 was where they really separated themselves from everybody. They really made their statement of where they wanted to finish and how they were going to close out the tournament."
All four Atlantic Coast Conference schools finished in the top eight nationally, with Notre Dame first, Duke third, UNC sixth and Boston College eighth. Host Penn State finished second, NJIT was fourth and St. John's was fifth, just a point ahead of the Tar Heels. Team scores are the combined men's and women's finishes.
Joining Parker in the women's epee field was sophomore Darby Haskel, who placed 20th.
In women's foil, freshman Tarleton Hunt was 14th and junior Aubrey Molloy was 17th.
In men's foil, junior James Mulligan was 13th.
In men's epee, freshman Henry Shugart was 14th and freshman Reza Merchant was 18th.
In women's sabre, sophomore Abigale Parker was 15th and senior Clara Somfelean was 21st.
It was the first time at NCAA Championships for all except Rabinowitz, who was 13th as a freshman. Both he and Mulligan qualified last year but the event was canceled.
"Now we have 10 people on our team coming back who know not only what it means to qualify but to be in that field of the 24 best in their weapon," Jednak said. "They've learned a lot from this season and our team will be stronger next year as a result."
In men's sabre, the Tar Heels had two in the top 10, with junior Beni Rabinowitz sixth to earn second-team All-America recognition and freshman Alec Mulvaney ninth to earn honorable mention.
In women's epee, freshman Allegra Parker placed 10th and earned honorable mention.
The men competed on Thursday and Friday and the women on Saturday and Sunday.
"Day 1 was hit the ground running, a little bumpy here and there," UNC coach Matt Jednak said. "Day 2 was where they really separated themselves from everybody. They really made their statement of where they wanted to finish and how they were going to close out the tournament."
All four Atlantic Coast Conference schools finished in the top eight nationally, with Notre Dame first, Duke third, UNC sixth and Boston College eighth. Host Penn State finished second, NJIT was fourth and St. John's was fifth, just a point ahead of the Tar Heels. Team scores are the combined men's and women's finishes.
Joining Parker in the women's epee field was sophomore Darby Haskel, who placed 20th.
In women's foil, freshman Tarleton Hunt was 14th and junior Aubrey Molloy was 17th.
In men's foil, junior James Mulligan was 13th.
In men's epee, freshman Henry Shugart was 14th and freshman Reza Merchant was 18th.
In women's sabre, sophomore Abigale Parker was 15th and senior Clara Somfelean was 21st.
It was the first time at NCAA Championships for all except Rabinowitz, who was 13th as a freshman. Both he and Mulligan qualified last year but the event was canceled.
"Now we have 10 people on our team coming back who know not only what it means to qualify but to be in that field of the 24 best in their weapon," Jednak said. "They've learned a lot from this season and our team will be stronger next year as a result."
Players Mentioned
Epee/Right Hand
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Foil/Right Hand
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Epee/Right Hand
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Foil/Right Hand
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Foil/Left Hand
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Sabre/Right Hand
/ Fencing
Sabre/Right Hand
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Epee/Right Hand
/ Fencing
Sabre/Right Hand
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Epee/Right Hand
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Sabre/Right Hand
/ FencingTuesday, June 23
Sunday, June 21
Sunday, June 21
Saturday, June 20