![Two women in fencing uniforms battle each other at the base of a university tower.](https://brocku.ca/brock-news/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/OUAFencing_1-1600x1067.jpg?x91846)
Brock University will be the site of two provincial championships this weekend.
From Friday, Feb. 17 to Sunday, Feb. 19, the Brock Badgers will host both the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Men’s and Women’s Fencing Championships at Ian Beddis Gymnasium.
The three-day event will feature student-athletes from 13 universities competing among three disciplines: foil, sabre and epée.
The Badgers have hosted the OUA Men’s Fencing Championships for three consecutive seasons.
Fourth-year Teacher Education student Nathaniel McDonnell said hosting the championships on home soil adds an extra layer of motivation.
“I’m thankful we have the privilege of hosting the OUA Championships again since it gives me a little more pressure and drive to perform at the tournament,” said McDonnell, who won a bronze at the RMC Invitational earlier this season. “I am looking forward to going out with my amazing teammates. It would mean so much more to us if we are able to medal at Brock in our home gym than at any other venue.”
Last year, the women’s team travelled to compete in the 2022 OUA Women’s Fencing Championships at the Royal Military College of Canada, where Sara Fellman and the Badgers foil team won a bronze medal.
“I’m thrilled and anxious at the same time to be the host team of the OUA Championships this year,” said Fellman, a third-year Studio Arts student. “It will be a can’t-miss event to have both the men’s and women’s championships running simultaneously on our campus. We’re excited to compete in front of our friends and family.”
Single-day passes are available for all three days of competition, or an all-access pass can be purchased on University Tickets.
Tickets for children six and under can be requested through tickets@brocku.ca, subject to availability.