UNC Fencing Heads to Staten Island for High-Caliber Test at Brian Palestis Memorial Invitational
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - After the unexpected cancellation of the Penn State Invitational, UNC Fencing didn't waste any time finding a new challenge. The Tar Heels are heading to Staten Island on Sunday, February 1, for the Brian Palestis Memorial Invitational - a meet that’s shaping up to be a serious litmus test early in the spring slate.
And make no mistake: this isn’t a soft replacement. The Tar Heels will square off against five strong programs, including four nationally ranked opponents. Both the men’s and women’s squads will be tested throughout the day in a gauntlet of high-level matchups.
The Schedule:
- 8:30 AM - vs.
No. 9/10 Penn State
- 9:30 AM - vs. Wagner
- 10:30 AM - vs. **No.
6/13 St. John’s**
- 1:15 PM - vs. **No.
7/8 Penn**
- 2:15 PM - vs.
No. 4 Vassar (D3 Men’s)
This lineup isn’t just loaded with talent - it’s a proving ground. Four of the five opponents are ranked inside the top 15 nationally, and each brings a different style and depth to the strip. For UNC, it’s a chance to measure themselves against some of the best in the country, and to build momentum heading into the heart of the season.
Coming In Hot
The Tar Heels roll into Staten Island with confidence after a strong showing at the JHU Invitational. That meet saw standout performances across the board, but none more eye-catching than the dominance from both sabre squads.
On the men’s side, Youssef Shamel wasted no time making his presence felt in his debut, posting a 7-1 record. Meanwhile, veterans Elden Wood and Nicky Wind anchored the group with a combined 13-0 mark. As a unit, the men’s sabre team went a staggering 26-1 over three matches - the kind of performance that doesn’t just win bouts, it sends a message.
And they weren’t alone. The women’s weapon groups matched that 26-1 record, showing off depth and consistency across the lineup.
Women’s epee was particularly dominant, notching two 9-0 sweeps with four fencers going undefeated. In women’s foil, Lauren Yu and Katie McGillion-Moore both ran the table, adding to a weekend that was as close to flawless as it gets.
The Road Ahead
Facing teams like Penn State, St. John’s, and Penn - all with deep, experienced rosters - will be a step up in intensity.
But it’s also exactly what this UNC squad needs right now. The early-season reps are valuable, but it’s meets like this that sharpen a team’s edge and reveal where adjustments are needed before championship season arrives.
With both the men’s and women’s squads firing on all cylinders, and a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent, the Tar Heels are walking into Staten Island with something to prove - and the tools to back it up.
Sunday’s action promises to be a full day of high-level fencing. If UNC can replicate the focus and execution they showed at JHU, they’ll walk away not just with wins, but with a clearer picture of just how far this group can go.