PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's men's and women's fencing teams hosted the final home event of the season, competing in a total of 23 combined bouts against some of the nation's finest at the Philadelphia Invitational. The men's team recorded a record of 10-1, while the women finished 10-2, both good for tournament highs.
 
The women's fencing team entered the event on a hot streak, and it carried over into the Philadelphia Invitational. Right off the bat, the Quakers won seven in a row, adding to a win streak of four bouts, making it 11 straight victories, the longest winning streak in over a decade. The women came out like a buzz saw, putting up 20 or more points in four of the first seven bouts of the event.
 
Day two was met with stronger tests, but the Quakers were up to the challenge. Close losses to some of the best in the country, #5 Ohio State and #7 Temple, were met with an immediate response, with victories over #9 Northwestern, followed by #8 St. John's. Women's sabre came up clutch in those victories, winning both bouts. Amber White and Victoria Zhang each went 4-2 in those close victories, providing sabre with a strong backbone.
 
On the men's side, it appeared as if they would run the table, plowing through each challenge. While they ultimately fell short with a final loss to #7 St. John's, it was an incredible event for the men. The men recorded two victories over top-10 opponents (#5 Ohio State and #9 Duke). In the win over Ohio State, Michael Li and Jerry Wu led the way with key 3-0 performances from each of them to help foil win 7-2 and spark the victory. In addition, the Quakers also went on a 10-bout winning streak during the event, the longest for the team since the 2015-16 season.
 
 
Men's Results
Day One:
Vs. Haverford – W, 20-7
Vs. #9 Duke – W, 14-13
Vs. Johns Hopkins – W, 16-11
Vs. NYU – W, 22-5
Vs. NJIT – W, 17-10
Vs. Sacred Heart – W, 18-9
Day Two:
Vs. Wayne State – W, 18-9
Vs. #5 Ohio State – W, 18-9
Vs. Drew – W, 17-10
Vs. Brandeis – W, 19-8
Vs. #7 St. John's – L, 10-17
 
Women's Results
Day One:
Vs. Haverford – W, 26-1
Vs. Duke – W, 17-10
Vs. Cornell – W, 14-13
Vs. NYU – W, 19-8
Vs. Sacred Heart – W, 24-3
Vs. Wagner – W, 24-3
Day Two:
Vs. Wayne State – W, 23-4
Vs. #5 Ohio State – L, 11-16
Vs. #7 Temple – L, 13-14
Vs. #9 Northwestern – W, 14-13
Vs. #8 St. John's – W, 14-13
Vs. Brandeis – W, 23-4
 
Both teams will return to action on February 1, as they travel to Brandeis University for the Eric Sollee Invitational. The event will be the final tune-up before the Ivy League Championships from February 8-9, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.