When a coach who just finished his 31st season at the helm of a team calls a season his toughest ever, you listen. For head coach George Kolombatovich and the Columbia fencing team, 2009 was one where injuries rocked many fencers over the course of the season, yet at the end the Lions finished in fourth place at the NCAA championships and second in the Ancient Eight.
When a coach who just finished his 31st season at the helm of a team calls a season his toughest ever, you listen. For head coach George Kolombatovich and the Columbia fencing team, 2009 was one where injuries rocked many fencers over the course of the season, yet at the end the Lions finished in fourth place at the NCAA championships and second in the Ancient Eight.
I wasn’t supposed to end up in this place. Coming to Columbia nearly four years ago, I knew I wanted to get involved in some sort of extracurricular activity, but I presumed it was going to be something comprising a mixture of law and politics. Yet during my first week on campus, I blindly followed one of my floormates to a small office on 112th and Broadway upon hearing there would be sports fans there. What I found was a place that would bring me my highest highs and lowest lows at Columbia, with a set of ridiculous stories in between.
I wasn’t supposed to end up in this place. Coming to Columbia nearly four years ago, I knew I wanted to get involved in some sort of extracurricular activity, but I presumed it was going to be something comprising a mixture of law and politics. Yet during my first week on campus, I blindly followed one of my floormates to a small office on 112th and Broadway upon hearing there would be sports fans there. What I found was a place that would bring me my highest highs and lowest lows at Columbia, with a set of ridiculous stories in between.
As I write my final sports-related column for Spectator, I realize now that the most remarkable thing about the Columbia sports program is how it continues to surprise—both for better and for worse. In the nearly three years I’ve been writing in this space, I have taken the time to criticize and to praise the athletic department’s handling of various teams or events, all the while not noticing how continually surprised I was that anything productive came out of Dodge. This past weekend was no different.
As I write my final sports-related column for Spectator, I realize now that the most remarkable thing about the Columbia sports program is how it continues to surprise—both for better and for worse. In the nearly three years I’ve been writing in this space, I have taken the time to criticize and to praise the athletic department’s handling of various teams or events, all the while not noticing how continually surprised I was that anything productive came out of Dodge. This past weekend was no different.
I didn’t get it. I thought I did, but I was wrong. I watched the games on television and on my computer, heard stories from friends, and even knew some of the songs.
I didn’t get it. I thought I did, but I was wrong. I watched the games on television and on my computer, heard stories from friends, and even knew some of the songs.
Although the Columbia fencing team finished in fourth place at the NCAA Championships this past weekend, the Light Blue’s final win count represents possibly the best performances for Columbia fencers in recent memory.
Although the Columbia fencing team finished in fourth place at the NCAA Championships this past weekend, the Light Blue’s final win count represents possibly the best performances for Columbia fencers in recent memory.
Despite missing a number of starters, Columbia fencing excelled this past Saturday at the Intercollegiate Fencing Association Championships, the oldest collegiate athletic competition of any sport. The Lions earned the women’s team title, along with three individual gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.
Despite missing a number of starters, Columbia fencing excelled this past Saturday at the Intercollegiate Fencing Association Championships, the oldest collegiate athletic competition of any sport. The Lions earned the women’s team title, along with three individual gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.
After completing its Ivy campaign, the Columbia fencing team will travel to Harvard this Saturday to compete in the nation’s oldest collegiate athletic competition, the Intercollegiate Fencing Association Championships.
After completing its Ivy campaign, the Columbia fencing team will travel to Harvard this Saturday to compete in the nation’s oldest collegiate athletic competition, the Intercollegiate Fencing Association Championships.
