Air Force Academy

Four Air Force Academy fencers qualified for the 2005 National Collegiate Men's and Women's Fencing Championships during the 2005 West Region Championships last week in California. In men's epee, AFA fencers Timothy French from Austin, Texas and Jason Stockdale, a native of Lansdowre, Pa., will make repeat performances to the NCAAs. Joining the pair is Eliza Enyart of Bend, Ore., and Marisa Romero from Allen, Texas. This is Romero's third trip to the national tournament. Enyart is making her first collegiate NCAA championship appearance.

The NCAA Men's and Women's Fencing Committee announced the field of 144 competitors who will participate in the championships. Rice University and the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority will host the championships at the George R. Brown Convention Center, March 17-20 in Houston, Texas.

"I was pleased with my performance and the teams overall results. I hope to do well at nationals this year and make All-American," Romero said following her performance at the regional meet. Romero finished second in the women's saber event. Enyart took third place in epee. Stockdale was the men's epee champion, while French finished third.

"Although our individual results are not as strong as we would have liked, I think that winning regional championships poignantly proves our effectiveness as a team and the purpose of the Air Force mission, rather than a group of people competing solely for themselves," said Enyart. "I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to attend NCAA championships as a freshman, and next year I hope to have an even stronger performance at the Western Region NCAAs."

As a team, the Air Force women were the region champions and the men's team took second place.