Riding a combined 17-bout winning streak, the Columbia fencing team prepares to host the nation’s oldest collegiate fencing tournament, the Intercollegiate Fencing Association Championships.

The IFA consists of all seven Ivy schools with fencing squads as well as five teams from the Northeast—Boston College, Brandeis, MIT, NYU, and Vassar. Of the 11 potential opponents the Lions could face this weekend, they have already faced off against eight, having won all 15 possible matches. Despite the current winning streak, a nail-biting 14-13 victory over the NYU men’s team last week highlights why the Light Blue cannot get too comfortable.

“We had just faced two relatively strong teams, and people were not necessarily there,” head coach George Kolombatovich said, “It woke everyone up a little bit, they got a little bit complacent and it was almost too late when it got time to win our last 3 bouts. It is a rotten attitude to have because it will bite you every time.”

Thankfully, Columbia has avoided the nagging injuries that plagued the team last year. After the Ivy Championships, despite qualifying 12 fencers for the NCAA Championships, the Lions were never fully operational. Heading into this weekend’s IFA Championships, Columbia will have every fencer available with a clean bill of health.

With NCAA Regionals only a week away, the goal for this weekend will be to continue strong preparations in order to qualify the maximum of 12 fencers for nationals.

“The real test is going to be what happens at our Regional,” Kolombatovich added, “If we do well there, everything else takes care of itself. Technically, you can win with 10 or 11, but realistically it’s another story. We’re looking at having to perform, and perform well, at the Regionals and the NCAAs.”

In addition to sweeping the Ancient Eight, two Lion fencers earned further individual honors last weekend. Freshman foilist Nicole Ross and sophomore sabrist Jeff Spear both qualified for the United States Junior World teams on Sunday, further adding to the impressive list of Columbians currently competing on the international circuit.

With the IFA Championships being the oldest collegiate fencing tournament, a lot of history and pride goes along with winning the event. In a similar fashion to the rotating Ivy League schedule, the IFA hosts the event at each school once in a 12-year cycle, so the Lions understand the prestige that comes along with hosting a meet such as this.

“The hosting of the meet is an honor, but all the schools split it up as part of the tradition,” Kolombatovich said. “What we don’t like to do is share the trophies.”

The IFA Championships get underway this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. at Dodge Fitness Center.