PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's men's (21-8) and women's (23-7) fencing teams return to action this weekend as they travel to Harvard University for the 2020 Ivy League Championships. Including the Quakers, the event will feature five of the top-10 men's and women's teams, including the top-two teams in the nation.
 
Previewing Penn
Coming off another terrific run at the Eric Sollee Invitational at Brandeis University, the Quakers enter the Ivy League Championship with high expectations in both men's and women's action. Last season, the women went 3-3 and finished in a tie for third, while the men went 1-4. This season, both teams will look to return to glory, with the men hoping for their first championship since 2018 and the women since 2004.

Up to #8 in the country, the women are rolling, have reached a season-high ranking and are amid a nine-bout win streak, needing two more victories to match another season-high. Last season's second team All-Ivy recipients, Vanessa Dib and Miranda Gieg rested during the Sollee Invitational and will look to add more hardware to their award shelves. Senior Danielle Ferdon enters the event on fire, having gone 17-1 at the Sollee Invitational and looking to carry the momentum generated into a successful final run at the title.

On the men's side, a rise to #9 in the country provided a nice boost, as did a 5-1 record at the Sollee Invitational. Now the men hope to return to their winning ways, having three of the last four Ivy League titles, but falling short last season. Leading the way will be sabre, who after a 4-5 start have exploded to go 19-1 since, defeating two ranked teams and only falling to #7 St. John's. Sophomore Xiteng Lin and freshman Raymond Zhao had a huge weekend at the Sollee Invitational and each will be counted on for more victories, as well as senior captain Adam Green and junior Andrew Sun.
 
What's in Store
The Quaker men will compete in five total bouts, while the Quaker women will compete in six (with Cornell only fielding a women's team). Team results will determine the winner of the Ivy League Championship, but individual performances will determine the awarding of All-Ivy honors. The top three finishers in each weapon will be named first-team All-Ivy, while finishers ranking 4th – 6th will be named second-team All-Ivy. Sophomore Emon Daroian was named first-team All-Ivy last season thanks to a tie for second place finish in men's epee.
 
Men's Schedule
Day One
Vs. #8 Yale – 10 a.m.
Vs. #1 Columbia – 2:45 p.m.
Vs. #6 Princeton – 4:45 p.m.
Day Two
Vs. #2 Harvard – 12 p.m.
Vs. Brown – 2:45 p.m.
 
Women's Schedule
Day One
Vs. Yale – 10 a.m.
Vs. #2 Columbia – 2:45 p.m.
Vs. #1 Princeton – 4:45 p.m.
Day Two
Vs. #10 Cornell – 10 a.m.
Vs. #7 Harvard – 12 p.m.
Vs. Brown – 2:45 p.m.