From NYU Athletics
The New York University men's fencing team had four athletes recognized by the United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) for the All-American honors.
Brian Kim (Upper Saddle River, NJ/Dwight-Englewood) was named Second Team All-American while Darren Yen (Chatham, NJ/Chatham), Sam Bekker (Brooklyn, NY/Midwood) and Zohaib Mannan (Short Hills, NJ/Millburn) all earned Honorable Mention.
All four fencers had qualified for the NCAA National Championships, which were canceled due to the coronavirus epidemic.
"This All-American announcement from the USFCA Is honoring our fencers' full season of work, dedication, and competition," said Head Coach Steve Mormando. "In addition, the announcement by the USFCA in creating All-Region Teams is a long overdue honor for regional excellence. In a year of shock and sadness, it is warming to the heart to see such exceptional excellence both on and off the strip by all NYU student-athletes."
Kim established himself early on in his debut season as one of the country's top fencers in sabre. At the Temple Open (11/3), he wasted no time securing his first career victory (15-8) in his opening match. Kim later had a breakout performance at the Sacred Heart Tradition Tournament (12/8), where he led NYU with a 14-1 mark. His success culminated in a trip to the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships (3/8), where he finished sixth, the best by any Violet in the weapon. Overall, Kim finished his rookie season with an outstanding 40-17 record.
Yen also had a triumphant rookie season competing in sabre. At the Temple Open, he immediately made his presence known by compiling a 9-2 record and finishing tied for third. Yen would carry this momentum to the University of Pennsylvania Invitational (1/18-19), where he led all Violets with a 10-4 record. He went on to finish 11th overall at the NCAA Regionals and conclude the season at 44-21.
Bekker also got off to a hot start at the Temple Open, winning his first three epee matches and advancing to the semifinals. Later on at the NCAA Regionals, he earned the best finish for any NYU athlete in the competition, settling in at fifth place. Bekker would end the season with a 14-8 record.
Like the others, Mannan also started his season with a strong showing at the Temple Open, beginning with back-to-back victories in foil. He was tops in the weapon at the Sacred Heart Tournament, finishing 9-7 mark. Mannan would lead the foil squad again at the NCAA Regionals, taking eighth overall. For the season, he compiled a 31-31 record.
For their strong showings at regionals, all four fencers made the All-Northeast Region Teams in their respective weapons, with Bekker taking First Team honors. Kim and Yen were Second Team honorees and Mannan earned an Honorable Mention.
"This team had such a spectacular season (20-8), slowed only by a worldwide pandemic," Mormando added. "Besides individual and team results at Temple, and at various Olympic trials, and tough dual meets against the nation's top teams, the men's team was finally ranked in the top 10 of all NCAA schools from Division I thru III. They prevailed over five of the top-10 Division I teams, including current NCAA Champion Columbia."
The Violets ended the season ranked #10 nationally.