Western Wayne Today

Ludovica Mancini, a sophomore fencer from Wayne State University, concluded her participation in the 2024 NCAA Fencing Championships with a 5-3 record on the second day of competition. The event took place at the French Field House in Columbus, Ohio. Mancini's performance included 10 bout victories overall.

This marked Mancini's second appearance at the national championships, having also qualified for last year's event in Durham, North Carolina. She was Wayne State's only female representative both times. Her final record of 10-13 placed her 18th out of 24 competitors in the women's foil category. On Friday, she achieved a positive touch differential of +2 (31-29), ending with an overall differential of -19 (73-92).

In round four, Mancini secured a 2-2 mark with wins against St. John's Malwina Kolodziejczyk and Brown's Anika Breker. In round five, she defeated three out of four opponents: Princeton's Elizabeth He, Temple's Anna Novoseltseva, and Pennsylvania's Sabrina Cho. This round was her best in terms of touch differential at +5 (18-13).

Wayne State finished in 20th place among participating programs after the women's competition concluded at the four-day championships. The team tied with U.C. San Diego for total wins but remains last based on other criteria. The team score is determined by victories across both men's and women's events throughout the weekend.

Jessica Guo from Harvard University emerged as the winner in the women's foil category.

Mancini and fellow fencer Eyad Marouf represented Wayne State at this year's championships, continuing a tradition that dates back to 1947 when WSU has sent competitors every season since World War II.

The NCAA Fencing Championships are hosted by Ohio State University at French Field House and St. John Arena, where semifinals and finals are held.

Men’s fencing competitions will take place on March 23 and March 24 at these venues.