Wayne State University fencing head coach Andy Tulleners was named Central Collegiate Fencing Conference (CCFC) Women’s Team Coach of the Year, according to an April 15 announcement by the league.
This recognition highlights Tulleners’ continued impact on Wayne State Warriors Women’s Fencing, which competes in NCAA Division II as part of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, according to the official website. The program is based in Detroit, Michigan and is part of Wayne State’s intercollegiate athletics.
Tulleners previously earned CCFC Men’s Team Coach of the Year honors during his first season with Wayne State in 2024. Under his leadership this year, the women’s team finished fourth at the league championships. The women’s foil squad secured second place in their event and the epee team placed third overall. Four student-athletes won medals at individual events: Reka Galfalvy took first in women’s epee, Salma Abdrabou finished second in epee, Anabella Acurero Gonzalez tied for third in foil, and Ludovica Mancini placed fifth in foil.
Abdrabou, Galfalvy, and Mancini were selected for All-CCFC First Team honors while Acurero Gonzalez made Second Team All-CCFC. All four also qualified for NCAA Championships, maintaining Wayne State’s record of having at least one competitor—male or female—at nationals each year. Three fencers received All-Region awards from the United States Fencing Coaches’ Association: Galfalvy (First Team), Acurero Gonzalez (Second Team), and Mancini (Honorable Mention).
The Warriors concluded their season with a 14-12 overall record including a 3-3 mark at CCFC Championships and finished thirteenth at National Collegiate Fencing Championships.
“I feel very honored to be recognized by my fellow coaches in the CCFC,” said WSU fencing coach Andy Tulleners. “Our team and coaching staff worked very hard this year to achieve the results that we all believed we could prior to the season. Our women’s team really applied themselves this season from beginning to end and I am beyond proud of how they performed. This recognition is a testament to all the hard work that our women’s team put in this year on and off the strip.”
