Western Wayne Today

Wayne State University's Ludovica Mancini completed her first day at the NCAA Fencing Championships in Columbus, Ohio. The women's fencer from Rome, Italy, participated in the women's foil event and achieved five victories during her initial three rounds on Thursday.

This marks Mancini's second appearance at the national championships, following her qualification last season in Durham, N.C. She remains Wayne State's sole female representative at these events. Currently positioned 20th out of 24 competitors with a record of 5-10 and a touch differential of -21 (42-63), Mancini looks to improve her standing as she continues competing.

Her victories on Thursday were against Crystal Qian from Stanford, Josephina Conway from Notre Dame, Lauren Scruggs from Harvard, Alina Lee from Ohio State, and Samantha Catantan from Penn State. Mancini has eight more bouts scheduled for Friday in Columbus.

Overall, Wayne State is placed 20th out of 20 programs after the first day of the four-day championships. The team's score will include results from both men's and women's events throughout the weekend. A total of 27 institutions have qualified at least one fencer for this year's competition.

The top four finishers in each weapon will advance to semifinal bouts after round robin play concludes. Winners will then compete for first and second places. Mancini aims to enhance her position before the final day of women's events.

Both Ludovica Mancini and men's fencer Eyad Marouf represent Wayne State at this year's championships. The university has consistently sent competitors to this event since its post-World War II resumption in 1947.

Ohio State University is hosting the NCAA Fencing Championships at French Field House and St. John Arena, where semifinals and finals will take place. Men's events are scheduled for March 23 and March 24.

Further coverage can be found on WSUAthletics.com as the championships continue in Columbus.