This year was a success for the Harvard men's and women's fencing teams in different ways.

The women's team, consisting of only sophomores and freshmen, went undefeated for the first time in Harvard's history. And although the men did not enjoy as much success as a team, the squad did produce an NCAA qualifier.

The Women

In addition to its first-ever undefeated season, three fencers qualified for the NCAA Championships, based on their strong performances in the regionals.

Sophomore Sara Crasson and freshman Jill Katz qualified in the foil division. The other qualifier, freshman Mallory Stewart, represented Harvard in the epee division, which the women's team had never competed in before.

Crasson finished 22nd in the NCAA's while Katz and Stewart each finished 19th in their respective divisions.

Crasson, who was named First Team All Ivy League, was very pleased with the season.

"I really enjoyed the season," Crasson said. "Our entire team dedicated itself to the season, and we were very successful. We achieved all of the goals that we set for ourselves."

Also joining Crasson on the All Ivy first team was sophomore captain Viktoria Danics. In addition to Crasson and Danics, Katz earned second team honors.

Sophomore Brindisi Chan summed up the season succinctly.

"We were very pleased with the season," Chan said." "We have never been undefeated before."

The Men

The men's season was not quite as successful. The Crimson finished eighth out of 13 teams in the Intercollegiate Fencing Association (IFA).

The IFA is composed of five Ivy League teams--Harvard, Penn, Princeton, Brown and Columbia--and eight other teams from the Northeast.

Harvard's lone NCAA qualifier was senior Kwame Van Leeuwen. Van Leeuwen, competing in the foil division, finished first in regionals and sixth in the NCAAs.