Fencing: French sisters lead NU to 15-0 start

There’s nothing new about the Wildcats getting off to a fast start.

A season after starting 16-0 in dual meet matches, Northwestern is off to a 15-0 start in the 2008-09 campaign.

The Cats went undefeated, 5-0, at the Penn Invitational on Saturday for the second consecutive season to extend their unbeaten streak.

Last season, the team finished seventh in the nation.

NU’s epée and foil squads carried the team to its 10-0 start at the NU Duals and kept the momentum in Philadelphia by going 34-11. Each weapon group has a combined 15-0 record, while sabre has posted an 11-4 record on the season.

Junior epéeists and sisters Kayley and Christa French, along with classmate Joanna Niklinska, topped North Carolina 9-0 en route to an 18-9 victory. NU proceeded to earn wins over Temple (14-13), Penn (15-12), Duke (17-10) and Drew (23-4). Foilists Sam Nemecek and Meredith Baskies contributed to a 9-0 sweep of Drew in the bookend contest.

The Cats won’t put their dual meet record on the line until the NYU Duals on January 25, an event which ended their undefeated season a year ago. NU went 3-3 in the contest. Despite the layoff in dual meets, the team will be in action before heading to New York. Individuals will compete at the USFA North American Cup on Friday through Monday, meeting with the nation’s top fencers in each weapon group. Last year, Kayley French was the Cats’ top individual performer, finishing fifth out of 138 competitors in epée.

Men’s Swimming: Nilsson notches school record

In a tune-up contest on Saturday, NU, in preparation for Notre Dame, topped Division III Carthage College 175.5-85.5 in Kenosha, Wisc. With the victory, the Cats bumped their record to 4-3 on the season.

Five-time All-American Eric Nilsson shattered the school record by nearly 10 seconds in the 1,000 freestyle with a time of 9:04.11. The senior also set two Koenitzer Aquatic Center pool records for his total time in the 1,000 free and his 500-yard split in the same event.

Nilsson showed his versatility by tacking on a win in the 200 IM with a time of 1:54.10.

NU swept the top three spots in the 200 free and the top two spots in the 500 free, 100 back and the 200 fly.

The Cats will meet the Irish on Friday when they travel to South Bend, Ind.

-STAFF REPORTS