Conference Accolades

Team Champions

Team champions are determined by counting total team victories in Conference meets. There are no tie-breakers; ties (shared titles) are possible.

We recognize men's team champions, women's team champions (George H. Fischer Trophy), and combined team champions (Sollee-Lilien Trophy).

Men

  • 2022: Boston College and MIT

  • 2021: Not awarded (pandemic year)

  • 2020: Boston College

  • 2019: Boston College

  • 2018: Brandeis University

  • 2017: Brandeis University

  • 2016: Brown University

  • 2015: Brandeis University and Sacred Heart University

  • 2014: Brown University and Sacred Heart University

  • 2013: Sacred Heart University

  • 2012: Sacred Heart University

  • 2011: Sacred Heart University

  • 2010: Sacred Heart University

  • <missing records...>

  • 1994: University of Massachusetts


The 1992-93 inaugural season was an "pilot" season. No champions were declared, as the real prize was the proof of viability of the conference.

Women

  • 2022: Brown University

  • 2021: Not awarded (pandemic year)

  • 2020: Boston College

  • 2019: Boston College

  • 2018: Boston College and Brown University

  • 2017: Boston College

  • 2016: Boston College and Brandeis University

  • 2015: Brown University

  • 2014: Brown University and Sacred Heart University

  • 2013: Brown University

  • 2012: Boston College and Brown University

  • 2011: Vassar College

  • 2010: Brandeis University

  • 2009: Brandeis University

  • 2008: Brown University

  • 2007: Brown University

  • 2006: Brown University

  • 2005: MIT

  • 2004: MIT

  • 2003: Harvard University

  • 2002: MIT

  • 2001: Harvard University

  • 2000: MIT

  • 1999: MIT

  • 1998: MIT

  • 1997: MIT and Tufts University

  • 1996: Brown University

  • 1995: Brandeis University

  • 1994: Brown University


The 1992-93 inaugural season was an "pilot" season. No champions were declared, as the real prize was the proof of viability of the conference.

Combined

  • 2022: Boston College

  • 2021: Not awarded (pandemic year)

  • 2020: Boston College

  • 2019: Boston College

  • 2018: Boston College and Brandeis University

  • 2017: Boston College

  • 2016: Brandeis University

  • 2015: Brown University and Sacred Heart University

  • 2014: Brown University and Sacred Heart University

  • 2013: Brown University

  • 2012: Brown University and Sacred Heart University

  • 2011: Vassar College

  • 2010: Brown University

  • 2009: Brandeis University

  • 2008: Brandeis University

  • 2007: Brandeis University

  • 2006: MIT

  • 2005: Brandeis University, Brown University, and MIT

  • 2004: MIT

  • 2003: Harvard University

  • 2002: Harvard University and MIT

  • 2001: MIT

  • 2000: Brandeis University and MIT

  • 1999: Brandeis University and MIT

  • 1998: MIT

  • 1997: MIT

Award not given prior to 1997

Fencers of the Year

Given to the top male and female fencers in the conference.

All-star rankings are used to select fencers of the year. The all-star who has the greatest victory percentage across all weapons in a gender is used to select the fencer of the year. In the case of ties, there are no tie-breakers defined; ties are possible.

Past Winners

  • 2022: Josh Sohn (MIT, Men's Sabre); Rebecca Whang (Brown, Women's Sabre)

  • 2021: Not awarded -- pandemic season

  • 2020: Timmy Frank (Brown, Men's Epee); Kristin Palmer (MIT, Women's Sabre)

  • 2019: Junseo "Thomas" Park (Boston College, Men's Epee); Joanne Carminucci (Brandeis, Women's Foil)

  • 2018: Connor Rounds (Boston College, Men's Sabre); Helen Shakarova (MIT, Women's Epee)

  • 2017: Tyler Endee (Sacred Heart, Men's Foil); Katherine Mentzer (Dartmouth, Women's Sabre)

  • 2016: Eli Polston (Vassar, Men's Sabre); Julia Greene (Sacred Heart, Women's Sabre)

  • 2015: Barrett Weiss (Brown, Men's Foil); Julia Greene (Sacred Heart, Women's Sabre)

  • 2014: Simon Jones (Brown, Men's Epee); Caitlin Taylor (Brown, Women's Sabre)

  • 2013: Stuart Holmes (Sacred Heart, Men's Foil); Jayme Smith (Sacred Heart, Women's Foil)

  • 2012: < missing records for men >; Robin Shin (MIT, Women's Sabre)

  • 2007 through 2011: missing records for both men and women

  • 2008: Kevin Shanahan (UMass, Men's Sabre); < missing records for women >

  • 1995 through 2007: missing records for both men and women

  • 1994: Taro Yamashita (Brown, Men's Epee); < missing records for women >


The 1992-93 inaugural season was an "pilot" season. No fencers of the year were declared, as the real prize was the proof of viability of the conference.

Rookies of the Year

Given to the top male and female fencers in the conference who are freshmen at the conclusion of the season.

All-star rankings are used to select rookies of the year. The all-star rookie who has the greatest victory percentage across all weapons in a gender is used to select the fencer of the year. In the case of ties, there are no tie-breakers defined; ties are possible.

Past Winners

  • 2022: Tony Escueta (Brandeis, Men's Sabre); Rebecca Whang (Brown, Women's Sabre)

  • 2021: Not awarded -- pandemic season

  • 2020: Nick Andrade (Brown, Men's Foil); Kristin Palmer (MIT, Women's Sabre)

  • 2019: Junseo "Thomas" Park (Boston College, Men's Epee); Laura Boden (Boston College, Women's Epee)

  • 2018: Justin Herman (Boston College, Men's Foil); Signe Golash (Brown, Women's Sabre)

  • 2017: Ian Quin (Brandeis, Men's Foil); Jessica Gets (Brandeis, Women's Foil)

  • 2016: Umar Masood (Brown, Men's Foil); Samantha Abbott (Sacred Heart, Women's Epee)

  • 2015: Guillermo Narvaez (Brandeis, Men's Foil); Clarissa Allen (Brown, Women's Foil)

This award was first given in 2015.

Conference all-stars

We recognize sustained achievement by individuals by bestowing First Team (top 3 performers) and Second Team (next 3 top performers) in each weapon.

Once the bouts fenced threshold* is met, the victory percentage (greater value prevails) is used to determine all-star ranking . In the case of ties, indicators (touches scored – touches received; greater difference prevails) are used. Further tie breakers are undefined.

*Bouts fenced threshold: To be eligible, a fencer must fence in a minimum of 2/3 of the scheduled bouts in the season. This threshold is common to all of the conference's individual accolades.

For past winners, please see the annual accolades pages. Records from 2012 and earlier are not available online, and may be incomplete. Please contact us if you are interested in all-stars from that period.

Elliot Lilien Award

Named after Northeast Fencing Conference founder, former Commissioner, and USA Fencing Hall of Fame - nominated coach Elliot Lilien. This award is given to that fencer in the conference who shows exemplary sportsmanship and an excellent parry system.

To be eligible, a fencer meet the bouts fenced threshold that is also applied to all-star eligibility.

The winner is selected by voting at the coaches and captains at the annual meeting.

Past Winners

  • 2022: Sam Wolstenholme-Britt (Wellesley, Women's Epee)

  • 2021: Not awarded -- pandemic season

  • 2020: Katie Vella (Boston University, Women's Epee)

  • 2019: Cameron Mayer (Boston College, Men's Foil)

  • 2018: Kyle Berney (Brandeis, Men's Sabre)

  • 2017: Benji Lin (MIT, Men's Sabre)

  • 2016: Tom Hearne (Brandeis, Men's Epee)

  • 2015: Cara Hall (Boston College, Women's Epee)

  • 2014: Julian Cardillo (Brandeis, Men's Foil)

  • 2013: Nikhil Patel (Boston College, Men's Epee)

  • 2012: Katie LeClair (Vassar, Women's Foil)

  • 2011: Robin Shin (MIT, Women's Sabre)

  • 2010: Stephanie Allard (UNH, Women's Foil)

  • 2009: Sophie Courser (Vassar, Women's Epee)

  • 2008: Kevin Shanahan (UMass, Men's Sabre)

  • 2007: Trevor Chang (MIT, Men's Epee)

  • 2006: Shared: Kate Dusinberre (UNH, Women's Foil) AND Julia Shih (Tufts, <weapon not recorded>)

  • 2005: Tyler Jacobson (UMass, Women's Foil)

  • 2004: Leo Cook (UMass, Men's Foil)

  • 2003: Linnea Selinga (UNH, Women's Foil)

  • 2002: Chris Geller (Tufts, Men's Foil)

  • 2001: Caroline Purcell (MIT, Women's Sabre)

  • 2000: Margaret Kosmala (Brown, Women's Epee)

  • 1999: Ben Hardt (Brown, Men's Epee)


This award was first given in 1999.

Sachs Award

Named after Elif and Jason Sachs, former coaches at Tufts University. Given to the fencer "with the best record who started fencing in College." [from the award inscription]

To be eligible, a must not have had any experience in fencing prior to fencing in college.

All-star rankings are used to select the Sachs award winner. The eligible fencer who has the greatest victory percentage across all weapons and genders is selected. In the case of ties, there are no tie-breakers defined; ties are possible.

Past Winners

  • 2022: Tiyan Eweka (UMass, Women's Foil)

  • 2021: Not awarded -- pandemic season

  • 2020: Subin Jeong (Tufts, Women's Sabre)

  • 2019: Ellie Ng (Dartmouth, Women's Foil)

  • 2018: Meg Harney (Wellesley, Women's Sabre)

  • 2017: Ellie Ng (Dartmouth, Women's Foil)

  • 2016: Acadia Kratkiewicz (Smith, Women's Foil)

  • 2015: Lindsey Lam (Dartmouth, Women's Sabre)

  • 2014: Anna Degtyareva (UMass, Women's Sabre)

  • 2013: Anna Degtyareva (UMass, Women's Sabre)

  • 2012: Jacqueline Cordell (UNH, Women's Sabre)

  • 2011: Brooke Schieffer (Vassar, Women's Sabre)

  • 2010: Hathairat Sawaengsri (Dartmouth, Women's Sabre)

  • 2009: Laura Brassard (UMass, Women's Sabre)

  • 2008: Laura Brassard (UMass, Women's Sabre)

  • 2007: Laura Brassard (UMass, Women's Sabre)

  • 2006: Ashley Bailey (UNH, Women's Sabre)

  • 2005: Bethany Hughes (UNH, Women's Sabre)


This award was first given in 2005.

Coaching Staffs of the Year

Given for men's team and women's team coaching staffs.

The winner is selected by voting at the coaches and team captains at the annual meeting.

Past Winners

  • 2022: Men: MIT; Women: Brown

  • 2021: Not awarded -- pandemic season

  • 2020: Men: Boston College; Women: Wellesley

  • 2019: Men: Boston College; Women: Wellesley

  • 2018: Men: Brandeis; Women: Boston College

  • 2017: Men: Brandeis; Women: Boston College

  • 2016: Men: Brandeis; Women: Dartmouth

Prior to 2016, this award was the "Coach of the Year," and recognized the head coach of the team, or the entire team in the cases where the team did not have a coach. Starting in 2016, this award name was changed to reflect the contribution of the entire coaching staff, and the award was given in the school's name.

  • 2015: Men: Bill Shipman (Brandeis); Women: Syd Fadner (Boston College)

  • 2014: Men: Bill Shipman (Brandeis); Women: Dartmouth (self-coached)

  • 2013: Men: Tom Vrabel (Sacred Heart); Women: Scott Tundermann (Smith)

  • 2012: Men: Dartmouth (self-coached); Women: Syd Fadner (Boston College)

  • 2011: Men: Tom Vrabel (Sacred Heart); Bruce Gillman (Vassar)

This award was first given in 2011.

Academic All-Conference Awards

This award recognizes individual and team academic excellence achieved by conference fencers. This award will be given for the first time in 2021 for the 2020-2021 season.

Criteria for individual recognition:

  • A fencer must have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher (on a 4.0 scale). The GPA must:

    • Include grades for the fall of the current season (or the grading period that ends by January in the case of a non-semester grading period), and

    • Include two consecutive marking periods (the fall of the current season does not necessarily need to be one of those consecutive marking periods, but may be);

  • Fencer must be on the team roster at least one semester (or marking term) of the current season.

Criteria for team recognition:

  • The average of the entire roster's cumulative GPA must be 3.3 or higher (on a 4.0 scale);

  • Every fencer on the roster at any point during the season will be included in the team average GPA, including those fencers who may not otherwise be eligible (see above; e.g. first year fencers).

Past winners are available on the annual accolades pages only.