Eric Chen '27 Headed to NCAA Fencing Championships

For the first time in 15 years, the Haverford College men's fencing program will be represented at the 2025 National Collegiate Fencing Championships, as sophomore Eric Chen '27 has earned a spot on the national stage in men's epee. 

Chen, of Ellicott City, Md., was the only Division III fencer to qualify in men's epee, marking a significant achievement for both him and the program. Haverford's Ben Van Son '13 finished 21st nationally in foil during the 2009-10 season, with Rémy Olson '11 in 2007-08 the last men's epeeist to make a nationals appearance for the Fords.

Chen's fourth-place finish at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic/South Regional on Saturday, March 8, was the highest regional result for a Haverford fencer in any weapon and the program's first appearance in a regional final since 2017.

A Division III All-America honorable mention selection last season, Chen entered the first round as the 17th seed, winning four bouts in his opening pool before adding two more in the second round. Advancing as the 18th and final seed, he then finished 11th in the third round, becoming one of just 12 fencers to reach the regional final. There, he rebounded from four early losses to secure seven wins, edging Brayden Gyure of North Carolina on indicators for a fourth-place finish.

The National Collegiate Fencing Championships will be held at the Multi-Sport Facility at Penn State University. Each weapon features 24 participants competing in a round-robin format of five-touch bouts. The top four finishers in each weapon will then advance to a single-elimination bracket, fencing 15-touch bouts to determine the national champions. A team's placement in the championship will be based on points earned by individual fencers, with one point awarded for each victory.

The men's competition is scheduled for March 20-21. Live coverage of the second day of competition will be available on ESPN+.