Fencing

All her fencing life, Northwestern incoming freshman Samantha Nemecek has been the student and her father, Mike, the coach.

At the West Michigan Fencing Academy in Grand Rapids, Mich., former national champion fencer Mike Nemecek taught his daughter the fencing ins and outs she wasn’t able to learn at Caledonia High School in Alto, Mich. Caledonia, like all Michigan schools, doesn’t offer varsity fencing.

And Mike Nemecek has coached his daughter nearly to the top. According to the United States Fencing Association (USFA), she currently ranks second in the nation among junior women’s foilists — behind only the 2004 NCAA champion — and fourth in the senior division.

She finished tied for third in November’s Junior World Cup.

So it would be understandable if both Mike and Samantha Nemecek didn’t want to say goodbye to a good thing.

But both said they feel it’s time to move on.

“It’s just absolutely murder being the parent and the coach,” Mike Nemecek said. “We want nothing but the best for (our kids), you know? And yet, as all kids do, there’s a point in their lives when their parents just don’t get it.

“I have no problem with (NU) at all. I think that (they’ve) got a well-established program there, and that they will do nothing but add to her abilities. And I’m sure they’ll take good care of her.”

NU coach Laurie Schiller said he is just as excited to welcome Samantha Nemecek.

Though Rivals.com doesn’t rank prep fencers, the incoming freshman sits atop the Laurie Schiller high school rankings. Based on accomplishments in USFA events, Schiller said Nemecek is the program’s best-ever recruit.

“She’s good enough to win an NCAA championship,” Schiller said.

Samantha Nemecek also comes to NU with big shoes to fill. The Cats will lose foilist Julia F