PHILADELPHIA – The Haverford College men's fencing team opened its season at the 36th annual Temple Fencing Open this past Sunday inside the Liacouras Center at Temple University. The women began the weekend's competition on Saturday before the men took the stage for their bouts the next day. Competing in an individual, direct elimination format event, the Temple Open is one of the largest collegiate events in the country.

The Temple Open is widely considered the signature opening fencing event for the Mid- Atlantic Region with opponents from North Carolina, Penn State, New York University and Florida, among others.

Following up a fifth place showing from women's fencing co-captain Leila Braun, the Braun family ended up accounting for half of the Fords' finalists. Freshman sabrist Gabriel Braun, the younger brother of the aforementioned Leila, won three direct elimination bouts after pools before falling to eventual silver medalist Grant Williams of New York University.

Freshman sabrist Henry Li, in his first-ever fencing competition, won one bout in his opening pool, putting him in the consolation round. However, Li showed great promise for the future with a 4-0 record in that round.

Haverford's highest overall finish went to freshman epeeist Maxwell Hampton, who delivered an impressive third place performance in his collegiate debut. Hampton was closely followed by junior co-captain Eric Gardner in fifth, himself the 2013 bronze medalist. Gardner had to take down teammate Jake Bassinder on his way up. Bassinder finished 13th and was closely followed by Edward Ogborn and Kailash Faris, who placed 17th and 19th respectively. With five finishers in the top twenty, the men's epee squad demonstrated the depth and focus that will make them contenders during the season.

For the foil squad, co-captain Aldis Gamble cracked the top 32, placing 28th. His results showed potential that he will look to build upon as the season progresses. Other foilist place winners were sophomores Ian Wheeler (32nd) and Devin Louis (49th), and freshman Matthew Soulanille (47th).

Men's fencing will have the upcoming weekend away from competition, but will return to the strips on Sunday, November 15 at the Vassar Invitational in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Both the men's and women's fencing teams will be in action on the same day at that event.