PHILADELPHIA - A strong performance by the foil squad highlighted the Haverford College men's fencing team's effort at the Temple Open on Sunday.

Three Haverford men's foilists made the final round of eight, with a fourth, Sam Levinson, failing to do so only after losing to teammate Max Findley, who placed seventh. The story of the day for the Fords was the fifth-place finish by rapidly improving junior, Lawrence Wang. Flashing potential when he made the final round of the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Fencing Association (MACFA) individual championships last season, Wang's finish at Temple demonstrates continued growth in the mental aspect of competition, as well as a consistency of focus.

Sabrist Aaron Ruby, making his final appearance at Temple, also was a finalist, placing sixth after a hard-fought loss to the eventual champion, University of North Carolina's Sam Austin.

Having won the entire tournament in 2010, epeeist and co-captain James Nieuwland fell short in his effort to capture gold once again. Falling to the eventual bronze medalist, Yassir Mahmoud from Penn State, Nieuwland ended up 12th out of the field of 98 fencers.

This marks the 33rd year for the largest collegiate open event in the country that features some of the best fencers in the East. Ruby and Nieuwland were the only representatives of their squads to get past the round of 64.

The men's season continues at the Sacred Heart Invitational on Nov. 11.

Full results (PDF)