Full USFCA Release
HAVERFORD, Pa. – Haverford College sophomore epeeist Eric Chen has been named a finalist for two prestigious 2024–25 NCAA Fencing Athlete of the Year Awards, presented by the United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA). Finalists were selected from nominations submitted by member institutions across all NCAA divisions. Chen earned a finalist nod for Men's Epee Collegiate Athlete of the Year (across all three divisions) as well as Men's Epee Division III Athlete of the Year. In addition, Head Coach Christine Griffith has been named a finalist for the Division III Men's Coach of the Year award, alongside other finalists Benjamin Bratton (NYU), Eric Momberg (Lawrence), and Austin Young (Johns Hopkins).
Chen is the first student-athlete in Haverford history to be named a finalist for these national recognitions.
His selection highlights a remarkable season in which he excelled both athletically and academically. Competing in men's epee at the 2025 NCAA National Collegiate Fencing Championships in State College, Pennsylvania, Chen placed 22nd overall. He secured six bout victories during round-robin competition at Penn State, facing a highly competitive field of more than 140 collegiate fencers from all three NCAA divisions. He was named the championships' Elite 90 winner, he first-ever Haverford student-athlete to earn this prestigious honor. The Elite 90 award recognizes student-athletes who have excelled both academically and athletically. This distinction is awarded to the competitor with the highest cumulative GPA at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 90 championships, highlighting a commitment to excellence in both the classroom and competition.
Earlier this year, Chen was named to the USFCA All-Mid-Atlantic/South Region First Team and was selected as a Division III All-Region honoree. He made history for Haverford and was the only Division III fencer to qualify for the national championships in men's epee. A two-time Division III All-America selection, Chen continues to distinguish himself in both competition and the classroom.
Griffith, who joined the Fords as Head Coach ahead of the 2024–25 season, made an immediate impact in her debut campaign. Chen's run to the NCAA Championships headlined a historic year that also saw the Men's Foil squad capture the MACFA silver medal. Three Fords—Chen, Michael Pyo, and Dean Myers—earned Division III All-America honors.
Award winners will be selected by a vote of USFCA collegiate member coaches and announced during the week of May 5.